Best products from r/hockeyplayers

Aside from the obvious (gear), some great gifts/accessories under $50 are....



Antibacterial spray. Spray this stuff on after every use while the gear dries. Helps reduce the stink. Everyone should use this stuff.



https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Gear-Disinfecting-Spray-Bottle/dp/B00BMLJOLM/ref=asc_df_B00BMLJOLM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216559542401&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3669663079032918150&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008162&hvtargid=pla-354323861212&psc=1




For those of us that sweat, these liners are a godsend. I played once without one the other week by mistake and sweat would not stay out of my eyes. These are a must.



https://www.amazon.com/No-Sweat-Golf-Liner-Protection/dp/B016ZH8I28/ref=pd_aw_sim_12?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B016ZH8I28&pd_rd_r=9306cb00-696d-43a6-8373-8ae0aa46aba7&pd_rd_w=zhJGK&pd_rd_wg=RZCHj&pf_rd_p=469620d9-3e90-496d-9dc8-b19f900ba5fe&pf_rd_r=8V2WZ8B31YXSCBVJ350Z&psc=1&refRID=CQYS1VGPV81BPZE2Y770





Superfeet carbon or hockey comfort. I was skeptical at first, but they really are great. Worth the price of admission



https://www.amazon.com/Superfeet-CARBON-Professional-Performance-Insoles/dp/B01CGBDJTY/ref=pd_aw_sim_10?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01CGBDJTY&pd_rd_r=9306cb00-696d-43a6-8373-8ae0aa46aba7&pd_rd_w=zhJGK&pd_rd_wg=RZCHj&pf_rd_p=469620d9-3e90-496d-9dc8-b19f900ba5fe&pf_rd_r=8V2WZ8B31YXSCBVJ350Z&psc=1&refRID=CQYS1VGPV81BPZE2Y770




I enjoy stick wax. Helps keep my blade a little cleaner, tape lasts a little longer, and I get a nice smell.



https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Wax-Hockey-Stick-Coconut/dp/B010GJXECK/ref=pd_aw_sim_20?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B010GJXECK&pd_rd_r=9306cb00-696d-43a6-8373-8ae0aa46aba7&pd_rd_w=zhJGK&pd_rd_wg=RZCHj&pf_rd_p=469620d9-3e90-496d-9dc8-b19f900ba5fe&pf_rd_r=8V2WZ8B31YXSCBVJ350Z&psc=1&refRID=P9XFMPX39FC3EHS6EQ49




Too much volume in the toes of your skates? Bauer clearly realized this as their latest lineup has an anatomical toecap which effectively does exactly what these do.



https://www.amazon.com/Adrenaline-Design-Powerfoot-Hockey-Performance/dp/B01N7Z4QBI/ref=pd_aw_sim_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N7Z4QBI&pd_rd_r=9306cb00-696d-43a6-8373-8ae0aa46aba7&pd_rd_w=zhJGK&pd_rd_wg=RZCHj&pf_rd_p=469620d9-3e90-496d-9dc8-b19f900ba5fe&pf_rd_r=8V2WZ8B31YXSCBVJ350Z&psc=1&refRID=CQYS1VGPV81BPZE2Y770



It’s a personal preference, but I switched to Tacki Mac over a year ago in place of traditional hockey tape. It really does extend the life of your gloves and lasts a lot longer.




https://www.icewarehouse.com/Tacki_Mac_Command_Wrapped_Texture_Stick_Grips/descpage-TMWT.html?from=Google&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj_XpBRCCARIsAItJiuR0m-mKBOswtEXQZjdx-qvklb7OomYZh2iAu5_QptbMwN90AxmmEA8aAg9yEALw_wcB

It depends on what you want and what you are trying to accomplish really:

-Guidance on structuring and running a practice, then the USA Hockey and Hockey Canada materials recommended by others are helpful.

-How to teach specific skills or focus on skills, then youtube channel "itrain hockey" and "hockeyshare" (m2m hockey) are excellent. Especially the itrain "train the trainer" series.

-Overall team play and learning the game - I've used this one for my inline teams, modified slightly for 4v4:

http://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Plays-Strategies-Ryan-Walter/dp/0736076344/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1462802162&sr=8-5&keywords=hockey+drills

-One of the most overlooked elements of coaching is learning how to communicate with athletes, manage parents, and run the team itself. A really helpful tip a coach gave me was to "Put Jim's and Joe's before X's and O's". Get registered with AAU and take the Positive Coaching Alliance certification courses. It's some of the best instruction I've received.

Good luck!

I'd buy one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Portable-Ventless-Folding-Machine/dp/B01AVGCPN2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_265_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=830ET0CZK4N9X86FFD4Y

I have one and it was some of the best money I’ve spent on hockey. The physical footprint of this is small enough to fit in a closet, though probably not a wall locker. Not only does my gear not smell, it is also always perfectly dry and ready to use. I’m both a player and a ref and this has been great as it allows me to play in my night men’s league, dry my equipment, and have my skates and shins all ready to use again in the morning to ref. It also breaks down pretty small so you could conceivably pull it out of a locker or from under a bunk, dry your gear in about an hour, and then stow the gear in your bag and the dryer back under the bunk.

I'd recommend hockey plays and strategies and coaching hockey successfully yes they are coaching books, but essentially you're just reading what a coach would read, and then coach to you. The first book is pretty high level stuff, a lot of systems and stuff you might not use but it does contain some fundamentals in there as well. The second book is much more x's and o's and basics with good teaching points thrown in.

You may also like simply the best and simply the best players: players performance

Not op, but I got the EZ Goal setup from Amazon. Excellent home tool, but be sure to buy the two inch pole. I've dented a place here and there, but they are extremely subtle dents. I'm very pleased with it.

This is my second attempt at this and this one's a lot smaller footprint since I don't place the skates, gloves, and helmet on it now. This is 1" PVC and just 90' Elbows, T Connectors and Caps. Should be easy to make. I just based the length off the pipes off my equipment. I used a cheap 10$ mattress pump from walmart. It actually has really good airflow out of the small holes I drilled throughout the PVC. For the Gloves and Skates, I decided to use a dual boot drying machine I will put at the base of the PVC. It had good hockey reviews: https://www.amazon.com/DryGuy-Wide-Body-Boot-Glove-Dryer/product-reviews/B0000AMK8R/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_kywd?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=helpful&pageNumber=1&filterByKeyword=hockey

It should be super easy to add a few pipes that go up at the bottom for skates and gloves if you want. I can count up the number of pieces if needed but should be pretty easy to see from the picture.

This was the exact stick I bought when I first started playing about 6 years ago, except mine was an 85 flex. I loved it, it's name was "Animal Mother". It eventually got worn out enough I replaced it.

First, the Draper blade is now the Henrique with Warrior (also used to be Kopitar). I got a Warrior AX1 on clearance, but it seems like many websites are getting really low on stock of these. I found it to perform very similar to the AK. I prefer the matte finish, but the grip on the AX1 works great. It's not what I would call tacky the way normal "grip" sticks are. I'm pretty sure any of the Warrior Dynasty sticks would be comparable to your AK.

Seems like you have it mostly covered. I got the Concept 3 (I liked it a lot better than the Hybrid) and it came with a protective bag. But a shirt would work fine as long as it's thick enough and it'll actually stay on.

I bought THESE, and they do seem to help with fogging a bit, though the main advantage is less sweat dripping into my eyes.

Another concern is water, though your Hybrid will be a lot easier to drink with than my Concept. Problem I've seen is people with stubby water bottle tips (Like the standard Gatorade bottles) have a hard time drinking through the slots. Just make sure you have something with a straw (I have the 90 degree bend squeeze bottles) or you're prepared to drench yourself occasionally if you squirt it through the bars and miss. Otherwise you're unclipping your straps every time you want to drink.

Edit: This is what came with my Concept. Might be worth it if you don't want to mess around with a shirt, or risk having your helmet come out.

These are the exact gel sleeves I wear on my ankles but I’m a 5’1” woman so I get two out of this, you cut them to fit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFTW43I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9QjwCbW7EP9EY
I get an identical sleeve for toes, it’s just smaller. Ballet shops sell the best quality ones but try some cheap Walgreens ones first.

Most of the products listed here are very high quality things to address foot pain & help customize shoes. Gaynor makes an adhesive foam pad for the toe box of pointe shoes that works well for the toe box of hockey skates. Toe tape is another option if the toe sleeves are too snug. You can find the same products but usually lesser quality (also often thicker) at Walgreens/Walmart/etc https://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/accessories/page1?rfilter=Category%23Accessories%3ASubCategory%23Accessories%21Pointe+Shoe+Accessories

I like my skate a little snug bc I grew up figure skating and it’s what I’m used to. But unless you want to spend gobs of money or hit up every used hockey shop for that Cinderella pair a little DIY customizing & shit on your feet can go a long way.

If I was you and I couldn’t return that pair I’d use some of these options until I got that perfect pair.

I use Zogs because coconut is my favorite thing in the world and it's pretty relaxing to me to tape and wax my sticks after a long day and enjoying the scent while doing it.

It's also pretty decent at its job of preventing snow buildup so your stick doesn't look like an old garage freezer after every shift.

So I have this, but it took forever to find at a reasonable price and they don't make it anymore. I started out looking for a bag with specific skate pockets but gave up and actually using an end pocket for my skates in this one works fine. The other end pocket holds my shorts, jock, socks and jersey, tap, etc. which is great, but I'd like to have a 3rd pocket where some clean clothes would go.

So based on my experiences and your wants I'd look for something at least 18"x18" on the sides with end pockets and a 3rd pocket inside the main compartment.

Oh, also had a wheelie bag previously. Don't get one. Mine got torn up from the end dragging, if a wheel breaks they're toast unless you're lucky and they replaceable and you find the part, and eventually you just wind up carrying them (meaning you're hauling all the useless wheel component weight too).

Yeah, this is an issue I've had to deal with on and off. I've got a handful of things I do, but it all depends on what the cause is and where it's happening. One question, do you pass the pencil test for proper depth?

​

I've used various lacing methods. One method is I use two laces on each skate, one for the bottom of the skate and one for the top. This way I have more control over how tight things are and where. Another method is to make it so the laces skip over the area that's being irritated. Here's a video showing the method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TePrbT8gk6M

​

You can also relieve pressure by not using the top eyelet, or you can use a runner's loop shown in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCOdm7ubh8 you can position the loop over the tender area, and it will help with the pressure.

​

The next level up from this is to start changing the lacing system on the skates. You can try eyelet extenders found here. http://www.greatsaves.org/skate_lace_extenders.html

​

Those extenders are a little pricey for what you get, so you can rig something similar yourself. I took the lace locks off an old pair of skates and installed them onto my current skates. They effectively lift the laces higher off the affected area. Here's a picture of what the lace locks look like if you don't know https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ5MVgxNjAw/z/FREAAOSwxp9W8ya6/$_1.JPG They also make ones that are more like regular eyelets. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Fp8AAOSwONBZESg1/s-l300.jpg Shops don't really carry these any longer, but you can find them on ebay.

​

And finally, you can do away with the laces all together and use Option B skate straps.

http://www.chooseoptionb.com/

​

Or you can replace the laces with rollerblade ratchet buckles.

https://www.amazon.com/Baoblaze-Replacement-Sturdy-Inline-Skating/dp/B07CPSFJ8M/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=rollerblade+straps&qid=1554967083&s=gateway&sr=8-4

​

Hope this helps.

I've played for 20+ years and would never sharpen my own skates. I'd just get a touch up tool like this one http://amzn.to/2eRwHjC and make the drive/get my skates sharpened when I can or its convient. Back in the day a "stone" was used, but the new touch up tools certainly are improved. Additionally, skating on "dull" skates isn't the worst thing!

I received a sports dryer like this for Christmas, and I love being able to hang and dry my equipment as soon as I am home from the rink. It reduces the amount of washing required for my equipment, and it keeps my equipment really smelling like new. Great investment, in my opinion.

If the surface is really smooth, a normal stick should be fine. If it's like a tennis court (or rougher, of course), a wood/composite stick will splinter. In that case, it would be best to get something with a full ABS blade, like this.

Real pucks tend to stick to the surface if it's too rough. For stickhandling training, use this. For shooting, use this. For just goofing off with friends, use this.

If you just need to patch a tear, I've used tent-repair tape on my socks with pretty good success.

I have Bauer Supreme skates, 9.5, I tie extremely tight. I use 120 laces, non waxes and wrap once around my boot, helps with my ankle strength. I like non waxed as they don't feel cheap to me. My waxed laces I used broke within a year. The tongue on Bauers when you first get them are real thick and caused some discomfort if not placed exactly straight, after wearing my skates for a good year the tongue began to flatten out a bit due to wear.

The laces I use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V3HW8E0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is also super in-depth and a great reference. Too much to take in in one sitting, you'll keep going back over time. https://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Plays-Strategies-Ryan-Walter/dp/0736076344

I get blisters on sides of my legs about 3" above the ankle as well. I have small feet and notice that the tongue of smaller skates are not wide enough to protect my legs from the corners of the skate boot (where the eyelets are). I even have custom skates with extra length added to the boot.

A while back I ended up using silicon pads, they work great, small enough where they are not noticeable at all.

Silipos 10845 Gel Tubing Ankle Sleeve, 3 Inch x 10 Inch (1/Bag) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFTW43I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KtaJDbYQEZ2R6

Go to lots public skates and and stick and pucks.

For stickhandling at home, I like to use a smart hockey stickhandling ball, has some weight to it and will roll so it simulates a puck decently well. You can also get a green biscuit, and/or use a slick board you can get from home depot as a stickhandling pad with actual pucks, thrify white board I think it's called.

Here's a couple of stickhandling drills videos:
https://youtu.be/DycV8UE5Ua0

https://youtu.be/svdZJNwLDqQ

Plenty more drills and tips on youtube and this sub if you search around. Coach Jeremy (/u/howtohockeydotcom, who started this sub) has a ton of great videos on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGB6MoY1PIuX5oHJSH9Cgg

Looks like right now the following are still in stock and on sale:

AX1 - 75 Grip
-----------------------
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Senior-Dynasty-Hockey-Zetterberg/dp/B00BNRHHN2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407737419&sr=1-1&keywords=Warrior+Senior+Dynasty+AX1+75

• Burrows (L)
  
• Chara (L/R)
  
• Kovalev (L/R)
  
• Kremlin (L)
  
  
  AX1 - 85 Clear
  -----------------------
  http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Senior-Dynasty-Hockey-Burrows/dp/B00BNRH1E2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407737432&sr=1-1&keywords=Warrior+Senior+Dynasty+AX1+85
  
  
• Burrows (L)
  
• Chara (L)
  
• Kopitar (L)
  
• Kovalchuk (L)
  
• Zetterberg (L)
  
  
  AX1 - 85 Grip
  -----------------------
  http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Senior-Dynasty-Hockey-Burrows/dp/B00BNRGU44/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407737432&sr=1-2&keywords=Warrior+Senior+Dynasty+AX1+85
  
  
• Burrows (L)
  
• Chara (L/R)
  
• Kopitar (L/R)
  
• Kovalchuk (R)
  
• Kovalev (L)
  
• Kremlin (L/R)
  
• Zetterberg (R)
  
  
  AX1 - 100 Grip
  -----------------------
  http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Senior-Dynasty-Hockey-Kopitar/dp/B00BNRGCII/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407737982&sr=1-1&keywords=Warrior+Senior+Dynasty+AX1+100
  
  
• Borrows (L)
  
• Chara (L)
  
• Kovalev (L)
  
• Kremlin (L/R)
  
• Zetterberg (L)
  
  
  AX1 - 100 Clear
  -----------------------
  http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Senior-Dynasty-Hockey-Zetterberg/dp/B00BNRGOE0/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407737982&sr=1-2&keywords=Warrior+Senior+Dynasty+AX1+100
  
  
• Burrows (L/R)
  
• Chara (L/R)
  
• Kopitar (L/R)
  
• Kovalchuk (L/R)
  
• Zetterberg (L)

Have your skates pinched out just behind the toe box. Then buy these.
NatraCure Gel Big Toe Bunion Guard (1316-M CAT) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R1HTLAA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_SsKjPBFCKNnoo. I have the exact same prob. And eventually find a good foot doc and have inserts made for your everyday shoes.

Oh! And when these guards get sticky, wash them with hand soap and then coat them in cornstarch or baby powder. ;)

Also try Bunga Lace Bite Pads. Wear them like an ankle brace. Perfect position, never shifted, great gel padding. 6 weeks, lace bite was all better.

https://www.amazon.com/Bunga-Pads-Lace-Bite-Pad/dp/B004E5ODO6

You absolutely want to hear digging in. That's the toe flick part of your stride, which gives you about a third of your power. As for the weight transfer, you want 100% of your weight to be on your pushing leg. That applies to all pushes, not just the forward stride push. If you want to know everything there is to know about skating, check out this book:

Laura Stamm's Power Skating https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036WWJEE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Qg2wDbQR33Q3M

Hope that helps!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0148TNDXY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm still learning the kinks and everything else to it, but so far it's working pretty well for me. A GoPro just wasn't an option for what I would actually use it for, so that's a nice alternative.

Skate Fenders are really nice to have and not part of the default gear load-out.


An accessory bag (something like this) is really useful for keeping small loose stuff like tape, wax, honing stone, extra laces, etc contained instead of rattling around in your bag.


A Boot Dryer is great for after the game keeping your skates and gloves from getting nasty and helping them last longer.


Air Freshner/odor absorber for the bag. Especially if you dont air your gear out. Even something as small and simple as these can help a lot.


A multi-tool. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. Just something to tighten up loose screws with, cut tape or torn bits of gear, and maybe occasionally open a bottle with.

Thanks - it looks like Amazon pricematched Target since it was $139 when I looked a couple days ago. Ordering from Amazon now. Link here: https://www.amazon.com/EZGoal-Hockey-Folding-Backstop-Targets/dp/B00DGX30Q4

Buy a boot dryer. 25 bucks new, best way to dry gloves and skates ever if you play frequently.

50ish bucks will get you a setup that does gloves and boots and you can control heat.

https://www.amazon.com/DryGuy-Forced-Boot-Dryer-Garment/dp/B010A5J5FU

A boot dryer is ideal. I bought 2 on clearance at Costco for around $35 each that are similar to this one: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/heavy-duty-boot-drying-station-in-black-grey/1045413636?skuId=45413636&mrkgcl=610&mrkgadid=3281585207&rkg_id=0&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand__&product_id=45413636CA&adpos=1o2&creative=258661016819&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqLdBRCKARIsAPxTGaUyZQyHZk6AWdTL3a0DVO-1TwecVPKrS1gk3o6scLrMxiHUMpLBZOcaArgaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

They'll dry your skates well, plus you can use them for your helmets and even shin guards. I put my gloves on there too, but turn the heat off on the one that the gloves is on so that the palms don't get dried out.

For the rest of the gear I use a knockoff version of the Rocker Dryer called the Panda Dryer: https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Portable-Ventless-Folding-Machine/dp/B01AVGCPN2

That will dry everything really well in an hour or two.

I’d look into getting an EZ goal. https://www.amazon.com/EZGoal-Hockey-Folding-Backstop-Targets/dp/B00DGX30Q4

Cheaper and supposedly good quality. If I had space to make a shooting area, that’s what I’d get.

When I first started playing again after several years, I tried the velcro ones and these. The ones I linked were much more comfortable for me and prevented further issues. I don't use either after lacing my skates properly. Try them both and see what works for you!

Panda Dryer is the same thing as Rocket but a lot cheaper. Toss the gear in there, spray it with some antibacterial and good to go.

I'm a figure skater who used to get pretty bad lace bite on my ankles... I use these, exactly the same thing as the Bungas but way cheaper. And it's 10" so I cut it in half like you said but it covers way more. I'll never skate without them now, they're so comfortable!

These work well:

https://www.amazon.com/No-Sweat-Doctor-Hockey-Helmet/dp/B016ZK2UN8/ref=sxin__ac_d_rm?ac_md=3-3-bm8gc3dlYXQgaG9ja2V5IGhlbG1ldCBsaW5lcg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=no+sweat&pd_rd_i=B016ZK2UN8&pd_rd_r=de9bff70-549d-4997-8fed-2248621a17c1&pd_rd_w=JrSE4&pd_rd_wg=FZKUZ&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=HW1VBK9G6V86EKZ5TT11&qid=1569374075

​

or

​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ZH8I28/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B016ZH8I28&pd_rd_w=iib5P&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=n5o1r&pf_rd_r=2015XV6Z0FFQNXD7TKFG&pd_rd_r=7a0959e6-ebc9-4fb7-adcf-35585437b485&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFUSFRNM0pGV0cwUEEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMTY1MjAxMFRXVURHUUE3TTVGJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNDE4NTBMMEIzQUhQT0tMNlEmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

I've considered going the VH route due to lace bite and may at some point when money is less important to me. Until then I make due wearing Supremes with a "bunga" sleeve cut in half in the front of each one of my socks and skipping eyelets on my skates. For <$15 on Amazon you're silly not to try it. (https://www.amazon.com/Silipos-10845-Tubing-Ankle-Sleeve/dp/B00JFTW43I?th=1)

The bone spur hotspots you should definitely have punched out at a skate shop.

Yo. Don't buy the rocket dryer.

Buy the Panda Dryer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AVGCPN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And these hooks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7QTF59/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's literally the same dryer just way cheaper. I put my wet stuff in here after a game. It dries, I put it back in my bag, zip it up, and you can't smell a damn thing. My girlfriend doesn't notice any smell.

Check this dryer available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Portable-Ventless-Folding-Machine/dp/B01AVGCPN2?th=1&psc=1

Here is your answer.

Bunga Pads Lace Bite Pad
by Bungapads
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E5ODO6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdo_38GwCbQBPT08C

Pick your flavor.

https://www.amazon.com/EZGoal-Hockey-Folding-2-Inch-White/dp/B0093U9RUC

https://www.amazon.com/EZGoal-67109-Heavy-Duty-Official-Regulation/dp/B00LW5YCII

https://www.amazon.com/EZGoal-Hockey-Folding-Backstop-Targets/dp/B00DGX30Q4

https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Folding-Steel-Hockey-Backstop/dp/B00E2560CQ

Same thing, half the price: https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Portable-Ventless-Folding-Machine/dp/B01AVGCPN2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1523552365&sr=8-12&keywords=clothes+dryer

I counter your answer with this answer:

​

https://www.amazon.com/Silipos-10845-Tubing-Ankle-Sleeve/dp/B00JFTW43I/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_200_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2VF5Y4KQGX4BVRCRRAG9

​

Thicker 'gel', more than twice as long. Same price.

I haven't used them, but I know some people swear by the Bunga Lace Bite sleeves/pads.


https://www.amazon.com/Bunga-Pads-Lace-Bite-Pad/dp/B004E5ODO6

AFAIK any time you rent skates it kind of just gets pulled off the shelf, and you have no idea when the last time they were sharpened. If this is something you're not sure you want to stick with long term yet, and therefore don't want to buy your own skates yet, I'd at least get one of the stones that can correct the edge on your skates real quick. The edges are most likely fked up and aren't giving you a good feel for how turns/stops should be. I busted my skate in the middle of a game two weeks ago and had to use rentals, and the edges were so bad I was falling all over. I went to the locker room and got my stone and gave it a few swipes and they were usable. I have this re-edger which as been great.

As for skating, are you hunched over because you're leaning on your stick? In general you want to be leaning forward (you'll hear people say, stay low) in order to to make strong/long strides to build speed, but you shouldn't really be 'hunched'.