In every sport, each player is expected to take proper care of their equipment, not damaging it and storing it away safely. But in hockey, the skates require much more than just that. The condition of hockey skates are key in order to allow the best performance, and due to the blade coming into contact with ice, it can become dull. Because of this, hockey skates need to be sharpened every 5-10 hours. Considering the practices, games, and outside preparation and training, that is weekly for most players.  

Sharpening skates is of the upmost importance for athletes, as a sharp blade will give you a better grip, allowing for quicker turns and more control.  

“It is[sharpening] important because it helps you keep your edge on the ice and stops you from falling down” says member of the JV team, Everett Brooks. “One time I forgot to sharpen my skates, and I fell down many times, almost injuring my hand”.  

So, how does this process work? Well, many athletes send their skates to rinks like the Fuel Tank, where employees will complete this process for them. First, a hollow in the blade is formed, which ends up making two sharp edges.  

Another component of skate maintenance that is widely unrecognized is drying the skates. After each time the skates are used, they should be dried to avoid issues with the blade. If the blade is not dried, it can lead to rust, bacteria build-up, and foul odors. In order to ensure that none of these problems arise, there is steps to follow. It starts with wiping the blades dry with a towel and then drying off the holder and boot. Next, the laces are loosened, and the tongue is pulled forward, letting the inside air out. A key reminder is that these skates can never be left in a sealed bag or trunk.  

One of the reasons skate maintenance proves to be so detrimental is because unsharpened skates increase the risk of injury. Dull blades lessen the control the athletes have when stopping or turning. This can lead to falling, which opens up the risk for hand/arm injuries, as well as head injuries. Taking care of skates becomes a part of players’ lifestyle, dedicating time to making sure they can allow for the best possible outcome. 

Overall, hockey skate maintenance is a very important part of the sport and can have a large impact on the outcome of the game due to the performance issues dull blades can cause. The two tasks to remember are drying the skates after time on the rink and sharpening the skates every 5-10 hours of ice time. For the outside viewers, many don’t take into consideration the preparation that each player puts into hockey and their equipment and how much it means to them.