# Hockey question:  Goalie gloves

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 25, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589 "2001-10-25T17:37:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/1 "2001-10-25T17:37:52Z")

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I searched through the NHL rules, and I read a couple of sports articles, and I couldn’t find anything that specified the maximum size that a goalie’s glove could be.

I’ve seen some goalies whose glove seemed pretty darn big, as if they were made for catching grapefruits rather than pucks. It seems like some goalies [sub]cough[/sub][sup]Belfour[/sup][sub]cough[/sub] have gloves that are exceedingly large.

Is there any rule on how large they can be?

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**Author:** ![Lord\_Derfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lord\_Derfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Derfel)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/2 "2001-10-25T18:09:17Z")

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See the NHL’s [Rule 21](http://nhl.com/hockeyu/rulebook/rule21.html) regarding restrictions on Goalkeeper’s Equipment. The page details maximum size for goalie equipment and gives measurement procedures as well.

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**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/3 "2001-10-25T18:12:02Z")

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From [the Devil’s website](http://www.newjerseydevils.com/fan_info/rules/equipment.html):

> [@](#):
>
> (f) Catching glove
> 
> (i) A maximum perimeter of fifty inches (50") is permitted. The perimeter of the glove is the distance around the glove.
> 
> (ii) The wrist cuff is to be a minimum of four-and-a-half inches (4½") in height. The cuff of the glove is considered to be the portion of the glove protecting the wrist from the point where the thumb joint meets the wrist. Any protection joining/enhancing the cuff to the glove will be considered part of the glove rather than the cuff.
> 
> Blocking Glove  
> Protective padding attached to the back or forming part of the goalkeeper’s blocking glove shall not exceed eight inches (8") in width nor more than sixteen inches (16") in length at any point.

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**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/4 "2001-10-25T18:44:53Z")

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Shouldn’t that be, erm, “the Devils’ website”? 😃

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**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/5 "2001-10-25T19:01:48Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by StephenG \*  
> \*\*Shouldn’t that be, erm, “the Devils’ website”? 😃 \*\*

Not if you’re a Leafs’ fan!

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**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/6 "2001-10-26T04:01:50Z")

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The NHL Rulebook says 48 inches.

The Devils’ site says 50 inches.

Hmmmmmm…

Thanks for the info, folks.

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**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2001, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hockey-question-goalie-gloves/89589/7 "2001-10-27T19:35:08Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Rysdad \*  
> \*\*The NHL Rulebook says 48 inches.
> 
> The Devils’ site says 50 inches.\*\*

I _knew_ it!

– Monty the Flyers fan