Building The Perfect at Home Hockey Set-up (Part 1)

This is part one in a series where I help to guide you through everything you will need to make the perfect at home hocket set-up. Whether your new to the game or someone looking to step up your training these items will help you.

In part one I will go over some of the more basic things like nets and pucks but moving on to part two, it will have some more unique items for building a set-up so be sure to check it out.

1. Hockey Net

This is definitely one of the more basic things on list but still necessary. This specific model is the Franklin Sports Youth Street Hockey Net and it is here to satisfy all of your needs. With over a thousand reviews on Amazon this product has a 4.4 average star review.

It is a medium sized net but don't let that fool you about it's performance. Made of steel and weather proof it is ready for an intense game of road hockey or some top corner snipes with the biscuit.

Over time you can expect to see some dents in the post or rips in the netting as that is bound to happen but really you can look at it as a sign of dedication and improvement.

Get your here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S0PybX

2. Goalie Target

   
   

   

   
   

This is Franklin Sports NHL Street Hockey Goalie Shooting Target. I chose to include it because it adds realism into your shooting practice but also because it fits the franklin net listed above. The net is 54 by 44 inches and the goalie target comes in two sizes one of those being 54 by 44. It is important that you buy a target that will actually fit the net or else there could be more holes or a poor fit.

This target comes with five holes strategically placed where you can actually score on goalies in game. The two top corners and both sides right above the pad and below the glove and blocker (and obviously the five hole). This target will help to train you to score in game and also works great if your playing road hockey but have no one to go in net.

Get yours on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3ECtHob

3. Synthetic Ice Tiles

   
   

   

   
   

Synthetic Ice Tiles are one of the most crucial parts to building a at home hockey setup and if you had to pick one thing off this list to get, I would recommend these as a start. My opinion is that synthetic tiles will always be better then buying a plastic sheet of ice as here's why.

First of all you can make any pattern you want with tiles as they easily snap together. Also, say you want to expand your area of tiles. That won't work with a sheet because it will overlap and the puck or ball will get caught. With the tiles you can just buy some more and as long as they are the same ones they will just snap together. Also they are very easy to store and take up very little space when stacked up.

These specific ones are the Fabbay Dryland Synthetic Ice Tiles and they are middle of pack in price range but there are a couple benefits to them. They have a smooth surface and an interlocking design which allows for quick assembly. Another benefit is the different size packages you can get which is either 8, 15 or 30.

One suggestion I will make to all those in the market for some synthetic tiles is to not skate on them. This is just my personal opinion but it could damage and dull your skate blades and shorten their lifespan. Now these tiles are great for stickhandling and shooting and I have personally taken thousands of shots in my driveway off synthetic tiles but I just wouldn't skate on them.

Get yours on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4jsJPYK

4. Hockey Stickhandler

   
   

   

   
   

Stickhandling is arguably the most important skill in hockey aside from skating and as a player having good hands can really set you apart from the rest. Puck control gives you an advantage over everyone else on the ice and will make you feel more comfortable in game situations.

I will admit, training your stickhandling skills off ice isn't always the most enjoyable but with this portable stickhandling trainer it can help to make it better. It has five sections and that allows you to set up tons of different patterns whether your working on toe drags or chips this product is here to help.

With a lightweight design and foldable sections this product is very easy to store or travel with. Simply turn the knobs underneath to loosen or tighten and let the training begin.

Get yours on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4lLeaD8

5. Hockey Pucks

This definitely seems like a pretty obvious necessity for building a hockey setup but I thought to include it anyway for the integrity of the article and because getting pucks off amazon is often going to be cheaper then buying them from hockey stores where they can be over $2 a puck. Especially just for driveway use these pucks will work great.

I would suggest purchasing anywhere in between 30 and 50 because it is going to be cheaper buying them in bulk and then you have to go retrieve them less often. Also from experience you might lose a couple every once in a while.

Get yours on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4ix0sB6

Thanks for all those who read the article and I hope that it helps to make any choices about what you might be looking for. Be sure to check out part 2 where I go into more specific things to help build this perfect at home hockey setup.