By far the most important piece of equipment is a player's helmet.  It should fit snugly without causing discomfort to the head.  It also should not be so loose that the shell slides down covering the player's field of vision.  The option of using a shield or a wire cage is up to the player.  Some players like the metal cages because of the fogging problem associated with the shield.

To fit properly:
1.  Place a tape measure 1" (2.54cm) above the eyebrows and measure the distance around the head.
2.  Select a helmet with the corresponding inches from the chart below. 
3.  Open your helmet to its largest setting.  Position the helmet on the head so the rim is one finger width above the eyebrow.  Gradually begin to downsize the helmet (if necessary) until a comfortable snug fit is achieved. Tighten and secure the helmet adjustment.  The helmet must be snug enough to prevent rotation with the adjustment secure and the chin strap securely fastened at all times.  An oversized helmet can lead to unnecessary injuries.
Face mask should match helmet model and size.  Hockey facequards must meet CSA or ASTM Standards, and must be approved for use with the helmets to which they are attached.

Shoulder pads are designed to protect a player during checking in the the open ice, or along the boards.  Since many leagues do not allow hitting, manufacturers now make the shoulder pads to also protect the chest and sternum area, as well as the back and spine.

To fit properly:
1.  Measure the player's chest just below the arm pits.
2.  Match the player's chest size to the shoulder pad that corresponds.
3.  Determine the level of play.
Shoulder pads should fit snugly while the vital tips of the shoulder must be properly under the shoulder caps.  The bicep pads shuld not interfere with the player's elbow pads.

GLOVES

The one body part hit more than any other is the hands.  The hockey gloves you purchase must be able to withstand the force of a slash but also offer enough flexibility to aid in your stickhandling abilities.  You should be able to extend your fingers fully inside the glove while still getting a good feel for the stick. 

To fit properly:
1.  With the player's forearm bent, measure the distance between the fingertips and the elbow pad.
2.  Use the chart below to determine approximate size.
3.  The glove's palm should be reasonably thin and pliable.  The polyethylene thumb must be protective and flexible.  The gloves's foam padding must be dense.
Gloves should fit properly.  They should not be so large that they inhibit the player's ability to properly feel the stick, yet so small as to jam fingertips to the end of the gloves.

Every inch of the pant is covered in protective padding.  Hockey pants are designed to cover from the stomach and kidney region of a player's body down to the lower thigh.

To fit properly:
1.  Measure the player's waist.
2.  Select the hockey pants with the corresponding size for that model.  Use the chart below as a guide.
Pants should reach the top of the player knee and extend up to cover the kidney and lower ribs.  The molded polyethylene hip, kidney and tailbone pads and foam padding should cover critical areas.  Pants should not be larger than required for unrestricted movement.

SHIN GUARDS

Manufacturers make shin guards to safequard the sides of the knees and calves.  The shin guards are secured to the leg by non-slip velcro straps and covered with hockey socks for added support.

To fit properly:
1.  Shin guards are measured best while the player is sitting.  Measure from the center of the kneecap to the top of the skate boot.
2.  Match the player's shin size to the inches of shin guard.  Or, use the guide below to match the player's height to the size of the shin guard.
Shin guards, which are either too long or too short, will result in the knee or instep being exposed and unprotected.

SKATES

Your heel should fit securely in the cup of the skate with no more than a quarter-inch (6 mm) space between the tip of the skate and your toes.  The laces of the boot should be tied tightly but not too tight.  Keep in mind when fitting skates that most skates will run a size smaller than the current shoe size.

STICKS

The size and weight of the stick is most important when purchasing a new stick.  The stick should rest just below your chin when standing erect in your skates.  This will ensure the entire stick blade will be touching the ice when in the basic hockey stance. 
There are three things a beginner should consider when choosing a hockey stick:
1.Which Size?
Hockey sticks come in adult and junior sizes.  For very young skaters the shaft size of a junior stick is more proportional to their hand size.  Do not buy an adult stick for a young player and cut it down.  Sticks are available in all-wood or aluminum and composite shafts with replaceable wood blades.  Beginners should keep it simple and choose a wooden stick.
2.Right or Left?
It is not necessarily true that if a player is right-handed, he/she shoots right.  Whichever feels natural is "correct".  Pick up a stick and notice where the bottom hand is.  If the bottom hand is the left hand, then you shoot left and need a left hand stick.  If the bottom hand is right, then you shoot right.
3.  Length?
A good rule of thumb to determine proper stick length is - with your skates on - to hold the stick straight up and down in front of you with the toe of the stick touching the ground.  Mark the stick just below the chin and cut with a saw.
Other stick considerations as you become more experienced:
-Taping the blade helps control the puck.  Players also tape the end of the shaft, creating a knob for a better grip and making it easier to pick up a dropped stick.
-Generally speaking, the selection of junior size sticks is limited.  As players move into adult sizes, choices in blade curves, or patterns, and lies (the angle between the blade and shaft) are greater.