Abstract: A wire mesh face mask for hockey or other sports is manufactured from a steel having carbon content in the range of AISI grades C-1018 to C-1038, and preferably C-1022. The mask is made by forming a grid of generally horizontal wires overlaid by generally vertical wires, shaping the grid into a mask shape, welding the wires to each other where they intersect, heat treating and quenching the grid to increase hardness, dipping the grid to coat it with an epoxy coating. This combination of materials and processes permits the use of a thinner wire than has previously been possible in face masks.

Abstract: A street hockey goalie's blocker is described, which permits the blocker to be used on either the left hand or the right hand. The blocker has a generally planar rectangular blocking pad having a blocking side and an inner side, as in the prior art. Also as in the prior art, a sleeve is provided on the inner side of the blocking pad, and it has an integral thumbguard extending therefrom. However, the sleeve is removably attached to the inner side of the pad, instead of being sewn thereto, and is reversible. Removing the sleeve, turning it over, and then reattaching it in effect changes the position of the thumbguard from one hand to the other. A thumb strap is provided, as in the prior art, but instead of being sewn to one side of the thumbguard, it can be positioned on either side of the thumbguard, to allow for the reversibility of the thumbguard. In the preferred embodiment, strips of VELCRO (trademark) fastening material are used to attach the sleeve to the pad.

Abstract: An ice hockey skate blade has a top edge, a skating edge, and a toe portion. The skating edge has a gliding portion behind the toe portion. The gliding portion width is less than the top edge of the blade and the toe portion of the blade. The front toe portion of the blade allows contact with the ice and has a width equivalent to standard hockey ice skate widths, while the gliding portion of the blade behind the toe section has a width corresponding to ice skate racing blades.