I’ve searched and searched every year and there doesn’t seem to be any gift guide love for hockey players! This is crazy to believe since hockey is a worldwide phenomenon with fans of all ages and walks of life. And hockey, as a sport, can get pretty expensive, especially if your own little hockey phenom is still growing.
Luckily, in our home, our hockey phenom is my husband. And it’s only a matter of time before he gets our toddler out there on the ice (with snow pants and helmet of course!).
If you’re buying equipment, it may be best to ask your player’s teammates or other fan friends to gauge the size of the equipment and if your own family fan has a particular size. Elbow pads and shin guards can be relatively easy to figure out but other things like shoulder pads and helmets will need some trying-on.
Most local shops will help you figuring out a purchase as well. They may even have a swap shop you can use if your fan is new to the game. It’d be best to sort that out before investing $1000s. You could always get a gift card to the store.
*this post contains affiliate links.
Best Hockey Gift Ideas
If they are all set with equipment, check out some ultimate fan presents I found while scoping our presents for my husband:
1. 4-Pack Puck Coaster Set (Boston Bruins)
This gift is great for any budget. These coasters show your team pride without clashing with your home decor. They are easy to clean and won’t show drops or drips as much as clear or lighter brown coasters will. Whether as an add-on item or the main gift, your hockey fan will appreciate your thought.
2. Winter Classic Collectible Pins
The annual Winter Classic is a fun family hockey event held on New Year’s Day. Hosted at a major stadium, the NHL builds a temporary ice rink on the football or baseball field complete with benches and penalty boxes. They usually build smaller rinks and invite local teams to play before the main event. It’s always a gamble as to the weather just like traditional pond hockey. Will the ice be hard and fast or choppy and slow? Will the players battle with sun glare or snowflakes? It’s a great thing to watch and enjoy the morning after New Year’s Eve.
3. Women’s Chicago Blackhawks Black Authentic Jersey Hooded Sweatshirt
I really like this style of sweatshirt and will probably buy one for myself! I love the two-toned colors, the closer fit and the arm band colors. It looks super cozy and perfect for chilly rink games or running winter errands. Sometimes it’s hard to find athletic wear that doesn’t make you look like you’re swimming in it. The women’s wear on NHL.com does a great job of tailoring the clothes to a woman’s shape. It’s always a good idea to check the size estimates though to make sure the label size corresponds to your actual measurements (no matter the website!).
4. Men’s Detroit Red Wings CCM White Classic Authentic Throwback Team Jersey
This is probably one of my absolute favorites and will be getting this for my husband. This jersey has the classic “D” for the Detroit Red Wings and reminds him of the storied history of this Original Six team. The laces at the top give it the retro touch. I think it’ll remind him of watching hockey games with his dad and the legend of Steve Yzerman, his hero. He’ll also be really careful about taking care of it. With all of his jerseys, he excitedly puts them before the game then dutifully hangs them up as soon as the game is over. Does your hockey fan do that too?
5. Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid Fanatics Authentic Framed & Autographed Photograph
Saving the best for last, this would be a truly amazing gift for the ultimate hockey fan. This would probably be the only gift you’d need to get your hockey fan all year (maybe birthday, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day combined) but it is truly priceless. Personally signed and authenticated, this photograph features Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky and sophomore player Connor McDavid (the first overall draft pick of 2015) who has all the makings of the next Great One. I bet most fans, even non-Oilers fans, would love this gift.