Do Ice Hockey Players Wear Cups? (Solved!) – Sports Centaur (2024)

Having played ice hockey for several years, I can confidently say that you need to wear a cup!

Players of all levels in ice hockey wear a cup. This includes both amateurs and professionals, players of all ages, and also players of different genders.

There is always the risk of being struck in the genital region by either the ball, a stick, or an impact with another player.

Ice hockey is a high-contact, high-intensity game, and various collisions are all part of its make-up.

In this post, I’ll look at exactly why you must wear a cup in hockey, the type of cup to buy, and also some other alternatives to protect this key part of your body!

Do Ice Hockey Players Wear Cups? (Solved!) – Sports Centaur (1)

What Is A Protective Cup?

Protection of your reproductive organs while playing a hard-hitting game is essential. These organs are highly sensitive and are prone to long-lasting effects if injured. (source).

For an ice hockey match, it is highly recommended that the male players wear padded, hard-on-the-outside shorts to protect their groin area.

Why Ice Hockey?

The game of hockey is extremely intense. The players are so focused on winning that they tend to use their game equipment- hockey stick and skates- as weapons to hurt the opponent team members!

It’s just the way things are, so go in as protected as you can. The most impacts in hockey can all result in a strike to the genital region. Here is a table of the most common types of impacts in hockey, and the likelihood of an injury in the abdominal area during each of these:

ImpactLikelihood Of Injury To Groin Area
High-impact contact with othersHigh
Rigid boards contactLow
Pucks moving at high speedHigh
Skate bladesMedium
Goal postsLow
Hockey sticksHigh

How Is The Cup-Shaped?

Also known as the athlete’s cup, it is specially designed for the players to offer protection from serious groin injuries.

This equipment has been used for ages, but with the latest developments, it has become more ergonomic and comfortable to wear. Luckily, this has resulted in an increase in the number of players using protective cups today.

Previously made out of steel, the cup is now available in soft plastic that is lightweight and does the job pretty well. These cups act as shock diffusers and protect the groin area for male ice hockey players.

Easy to wash and maintain, there are some that believe these cups should be made compulsory for all the players.

Are There Different Types of Protective Equipment Available?

Yes, there are different options for the players to choose their protective gear based on their comfort and convenience. Between traditional hockey pants and a girdle, let’s take a look at the best options:

Traditional Hockey Pants

Traditional hockey pants are what you see in hockey matches from a decade or two ago. These pants are loose on the bottom and fit from the waist.

The ones used previously were not padded, and so had a lot of free space for the player to move around.

Back in the day, they weren’t customized according to the fitting of each player, so had to be tightened up using suspenders.

With the recent upgrades in equipment, and as newer companies have started making them, the players now have a wide range of options available.

With more or less padding, placement of the cup, and length, all can be customized now according to the measurements of the player.

Hockey Girdles

As I have been an ice hockey player myself, I have seen players wear girdles. And just like you’re wondering right now, I also wondered how it was different than a traditional padded short used with a cup.

One day I found the answer!

Girdles are a form of protective equipment, especially used by male ice hockey players to protect their groin area from serious injuries.

As a viewer, you might not know what the player is wearing, whether the traditional short or a girdle, but as a player, you should know.

Girdles are highly padded, compressed shorts with a built-in athlete cup that are designed to fit the person perfectly.

As they are extremely fitted in nature, they need to be covered up with a shell. The shell isn’t something hardcore, but a soft nylon short or pants that are very lightweight and thin. The shell is worn over the girdle to cover it.

Do Ice Hockey Players Wear Cups? (Solved!) – Sports Centaur (2)

Which One Is Better?

Well, there is no right or wrong equipment.

From a distance, you might not even notice any difference between the two, and so choosing to wear a girdle or traditional shorts comes down to personal choice.

Players that feel comfortable wearing body-fit shorts prefer wearing a girdle, while the ones who feel uncomfortable in fitted shorts, can opt for traditional ice hockey shorts or pants with an additional accessory: the athlete’s cup.

Which One Do NHL Players Use?

The national hockey team players have been in the game for a long time and are more comfortable in using the traditional pants as they give them the freedom to move.

However, girdles are gaining popularity; with each new product version that is launched, comfort is given utmost priority. Many professional and elite players are now considering wearing protective girdles while playing their games.

Even though there is no law for wearing a girdle, in my view, there should be. Playing the game should not be dangerous or hazardous for the players, rather a healthy competitive experience.

As important as the protective gear is for the male players, it is equally important for the females to protect their bodies as well.

Apart from the basic equipment such as helmets, kneecaps, and more, wearing a girdle for men and a Jill for women is needed.

To protect the pelvic region of female players, it is quite necessary to wear a Jill that is designed just for the purpose. Most female players do not prefer to, but as per my research, wearing a pelvic protector helps in keeping the small bones in that area safe from shots and sticks.

Jill is a very useful product as it stays in place and doesn’t cause irritation to mess with the performance. However, because it isn’t used much, and not popular, the players fail to find a wide collection.

Many female ice hockey players prefer to just wear ice hockey pants that don’t offer much protection. The hockey pants that were discussed above, are usually unisex.

However, little consideration is given to the delicate features of women, hence most of them have to opt for teenage hockey pants.

An ice hockey game has the tendency to turn into an extremely violent tournament. Ice hockey is associated with many potential dangers because of contact between players or with stick, puck, skate blades, boards or goal posts (source).

For the players to protect themselves they are supposed to wear helmets, gloves, kneecaps, and elbow caps. However, this equipment doesn’t protect the reproductive organs of both male and female players.

Lately, the use of girdle, padded shorts, and pants have been introduced and is increasing in popularity amongst male NHL players. Jills on the other hand are introduced to protect the delicate reproductive organs of the female players.

With these protective gears, the chances of getting seriously hurt in the groin and pelvic regions in both genders respectively are lowered. This lowered rate also has a positive impact on the player’s performance.

If your question is how they’re related, well, that is because once the players don’t have to worry about getting hurt and ending up in a stretcher to the hospital, they will be more focused on giving their best to the game. With more concentration on their performance, they will be able to more efficient and vigilant in the game, ending up performing much better out in the arena.

The protective gear should be made compulsory for all the players involved regardless of their gender.

With a variety of options available, the players should definitely wear a cup with the traditional pants or a girdle for protection. It is better to opt for prevention than to deal with serious injuries and their consequences.

Table of information:

Youtube video link: https://youtu.be/POuzYfcQjmU

Article link:

  1. Tyler, T. F., Nicholas, S. J., Campbell, R. J., Donellan, S., & McHugh, M. P. (2002). The effectiveness of a preseason exercise program to prevent adductor muscle strains in professional ice hockey players. The American journal of sports medicine, 30(5), 680-683. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.894.4412&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  2. Tegner, Y., & Lorentzon, R. (1991). Ice hockey injuries: incidence, nature and causes. British journal of sports medicine, 25(2), 87-89.
Do Ice Hockey Players Wear Cups? (Solved!) – Sports Centaur (2024)

FAQs

Do hockey players wear protective cups? ›

Hockey players wear cups, but when they slide, so does their protection, exposing their scrotums to a six-ounce piece of frozen rubber traveling at 100 mph.

Do NHL hockey players wear cups? ›

Hockey players do wear cups, though they don't always guarantee protection against an awkward hit or a perfectly timed puck. Protective cups are common among players who participate in rough sports such as football, soccer, and of course — ice hockey.

What kind of cups do hockey players wear? ›

The double-cup Elliott referenced has become a minimum standard for most NHL goalies. They are typically made up of what most people think of as a standard jock protector in any sport: a protective cup built into a holder and attached to a waistband.

Do hockey players still wear jockstraps? ›

Jock straps are a piece of equipment used in many different sports, including ice hockey. They are worn by almost every hockey player and come in a few different varieties.

Do NHL refs wear cups? ›

Officials do wear some protection. Jean Morin, 45, an NHL linesman since 1991, said he wears a helmet with a visor, a hip protector, a cup, elbow pads and shin pads.

Is there a female version of a cup? ›

The female version of the “athletic cup” is often called a “pelvic protector”, and some call them a “jill” (as opposed to a man's “jock”). A Woman's cup is normally smaller in overall size, less deep and sometimes much more narrow since it's protecting a smaller body area.

Do hockey pants protect the groin? ›

Hockey pants normally do not have padding in the groin area, therefore every level of player should use a “jill” to avoid injury. Junior sized sticks are generally more flexible than adult sticks and can create the whip necessary to shoot with power.

Do NHL players wear girdles or pants? ›

Finally, many hockey players prefer pants because they are more traditional. Hockey pants were around long before girdles became popular and for that reason alone, many players stick with them. But the popularity of girdles is growing, and more and more professional hockey and elite players are making the switch.

How long do NHL players keep the cup? ›

The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America. It's also the only trophy in major sports that is not reproduced each year. 4. The winning team holds the trophy for one year and each person is given 24 hours with the Cup, a tradition formalized in 1995.

Do female hockey players wear a cup? ›

Women and girls in hockey don't wear cups as commonly as their male counterparts — and in fact, they're not referred to as cups but as Jills.

What is ice hockey Cup called? ›

Stanley Cup, trophy awarded to the winner of the world's professional ice hockey championship, an annual play-off that culminates the season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup was first awarded in the 1892–93 season and is the oldest trophy that can be won by professional athletes in North America.

What do hockey players smell on the bench? ›

The use of smelling salts is particularly popular among football and hockey players who believe this reflex will counteract the effects of concussion. Recent estimates report 80 percent of NFL players using smelling salts, according to a recent article in ESPN The Magazine.

What is a Jill in hockey? ›

Women's Protective Jocks (known as Jills) are offered by your favorite brands in both loose and compression fits. Loose mesh jills are loose fitting for a more traditional fit that breathe very well. Compression fit jills sit close to your body for more responsiveness.

What is a Jill strap? ›

A jockstrap is an undergarment for protecting genitalia during any contact sports. For women, the undergarment is known as jill string. A jockstrap/ jill string consists of an elastic waistband and a support pouch for the genitalia.

Should you wear a jock for hockey? ›

As all Hockey players will know, hockey jocks are a vital piece of equipment that protects your most sensitive area. While the protective cup is pretty standard, the base layer shorts or full-length pants are due for an update. From the pros in the NHL to the weekend Beer League players, everyone needs a Jock.

Why do refs not stop NHL fights? ›

The referee will not normally break up a fight unless the linesmen need assistance, or a fight is occurring where a player has gained a significant advantage over the other player, leading to concerns of significant injury.

How much do NHL refs make a year? ›

According to FanBuzz, on average, a full-time NHL referee gets paid anywhere from $165,000 - $360,000 annually. This is approximately 10 percent of the average annual salary of an NHL player, who makes about $3 million per year.

Who was the last NHL ref to not wear a helmet? ›

The last referee to not wear a helmet was Mick McGeough, who began wearing a helmet in the 2006–07 season and retired after the following season.

What does sip a cup mean? ›

If you sip a drink or sip at it, you drink by taking just a small amount at a time.

What is a cup on a guy? ›

If you're a parent of a young male athlete, that last one may be a head-scratcher. An athletic cup is a device used to protect against groin injuries from contact sports. It guards against hits and kicks or collisions with a ball or player's helmet.

Do female umpires wear a cup? ›

As baseball season heats up, it's a good time to talk about what umpires wear under their uniforms. In addition to a chest protector and shin guards, umpires have a special cup that protects their most sensitive assets.

Why do NHL players not shave? ›

The Stanley Cup playoff beard has been an NHL tradition since the early 1980s, when the shaggy New York Islanders won four straight championships. It represents the players' singular focus, as if even personal hygiene is sacrificed in pursuit of hockey's holy grail.

How do NHL players keep their socks up? ›

Hockey sock tape is highly adhesive, usually clear, tape used for keeping hockey socks and shin pads from moving around during play. You can purchase it online or from a sporting goods store. Don't tear the tape yet.

What do NHL players wear under their pads? ›

WHAT DOES A HOCKEY PLAYER WEAR UNDER ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT? Long shirt and pants that are breathable, typically a moisture wicking material is preferred. The base layer should fit tight and feel comfortable. This layer improves the fit of the pads and helps control body temperature.

Do NHL players shower between periods? ›

Some players will take a shower during the intermission to feel revitalized for the upcoming period. Other players choose to meditate, closing their eyes, staying silent and visualizing their success for the remainder of the game.

Do NHL players change gloves between periods? ›

Some players even rotate through gloves during games, allowing them to keep their hands fresh and dry. “Mark Stone uses three pairs of gloves per period and rotates them every timeout,” Davidson-Adams said.

What is the most tiring position in hockey? ›

The hardest position to play in hockey is the goalie. The goalie takes the longest to learn, is the most mental taxing, the most physically demanding, and often the biggest factor in determining whether a team wins or loses.

Do they retire rings on the Stanley Cup? ›

Every 13 years when the bottom band of the Stanley Cup is filled with names of champions, the top band is removed and retired to be displayed in the vault of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Does the real Stanley Cup travel with the players? ›

The original Stanley Cup is the one in the Hall of Fame. In the early '60's a different one was made and is the one that travels with the players.

What do they do when they run out of room on the Stanley Cup? ›

The large bands on the cup are replaced when they run out of space to inscribe the winning team, which happens every 13 years. Each band holds 13 teams, and each team is allowed to have a maximum of 52 names inscribed when they win.

What do you call a girl who likes hockey players? ›

A puck bunny is a term used to describe a female ice hockey fan whose interest in the sport is purported to be primarily motivated by sexual attraction to the players rather than enjoyment of the game itself.

Do girls wear a jock for hockey? ›

Yes—most girls wear a jock, known as a jill, in hockey. There are a number of women who don't use a jill, but it is highly recommended for every female hockey player to wear one for extra protection.

Can a girl play on a guys hockey team? ›

Playing with boys helps, but it is a personal decision

In conclusion, playing on a boy's team during key developmental minor hockey years appears to provide all the right ingredients for girls to reach their full potential as a hockey player.

What is a donkey in hockey? ›

To mess around, or act like an ass; to have fun fooling around during hockey practice, instead of dilligently training/drilling. e.g. "I could donk all day boys" Hockey slang. Donkey juice.

Do they make a new Stanley Cup every year? ›

Since then, only one trophy has served in its place, making the Stanley Cup one of the only trophies in major sports that is not reproduced each year.

What is a flamingo in hockey? ›

Flamingo: when a player lifts one leg, standing like a flamingo, to get out of the way of a shot.

What do NHL players drink on the bench? ›

Beginning in the 2022-23 NHL regular season, fans will see NHL players hydrating with BioSteel during every NHL game in North America. BioSteel products will be featured on each bench, penalty box and goal net.

Why do hockey players sniff Vicks? ›

They cause a quick burst of adrenaline which athletes believe helps them perform better despite the fact that science suggests the effects of smelling salts are extremely brief.

How do you not smell after hockey? ›

Hang helmets, gloves and skates on an “equipment tree” or a drying rack to circulate air through the interior spaces, and do not let gear with large surface areas (such as chest protectors) remain on the floor. Dehumidifiers and fans are also helpful, as odor-causing bacteria thrives in a warm, moist environment.

What do hockey players wear for protection? ›

This usually includes a helmet, shoulder pads/chest protector, elbow pads, mouth guard, protective gloves, heavily padded shorts, a 'jock' athletic protector, shin pads and a neck guard. Goaltenders wear masks and much bulkier, specialized equipment designed to protect them from many direct hits from the puck.

What do hockey players do with gloves between periods? ›

Gloves sit on the machine while a blower fan dries them out, so they'll be fresh to use by the time the next period begins. Some players even rotate through gloves during games, allowing them to keep their hands fresh and dry.

Do NHL players wear mouth pieces? ›

Today, mouthguards are commonly used by hockey players of all ages and skill levels. Often they are a required piece of equipment, but when they are not most players still wear them. 90% of National Hockey League (NHL) players, for example, choose to use mouthguards even though the NHL doesn't mandate them.

Do NHL players wax their sticks? ›

Stick wax is a necessity when climbing the ranks of professional ice hockey. Hockey players that are looking for more control over the puck, less wear and tear on the stick's tape job, and accuracy in their shots use stick wax often to bring their game to the next level.

What do hockey players wear under their pants? ›

Put on your undergarments. These can be compression shorts or jock shorts. Jock Shorts have a pocket for a cup and velcro tabs on the front and back of each leg to attach your hockey socks to. Jock shorts can be worn over compression pants.

What is the ideal body type for a hockey player? ›

So the million dollar question is, what's the ideal body fat percentage for hockey players? Answer: No higher than 12% for males, and 18% for females. Ideally for males, you should be anywhere from 8-10% body fat. Up to 12% is acceptable though – Any higher than this is likely a performance trade-off.

Do you wear a jock strap with a cup? ›

The cup is held in place by an athletic supporter or “jock strap.” These are made from cloth, with an elastic waistband and straps around the legs. The supporter should have a pouch to hold the cup. As an alternative to an athletic supporter, compression shorts are often available with a pouch to fit the cup.

Do girls wear jocks in hockey? ›

Yes—most girls wear a jock, known as a jill, in hockey. There are a number of women who don't use a jill, but it is highly recommended for every female hockey player to wear one for extra protection.

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