Pullover warmth or full-zip versatility
Selecting the right hockey hoodie starts with how you plan to layer around the arena. A pullover has an unbroken front panel, with no zipper line running through it to let a draft in. If you want to cool down quickly during an off-ice warm-up, or to take the layer off without pulling it over a cap, a full-zip opens all the way down instead.
Fabric choices for travel and training
Material composition directly affects warmth and weight. A heavy cotton-polyester fleece has a brushed inner face that holds air against you, which is what makes it warm on a team bus or in a cold dressing room. A lighter tech fleece is thinner, so it takes up less room under a team jacket and in an equipment bag; how warm either one is depends on the construction as well as the thickness.
Tailored mobility for pre-game routines
Sleeve construction changes how far a hoodie lets you reach. A raglan sleeve runs in one piece up to the collar, so there is no seam across the top of the shoulder. For casual lifestyle wear and post-game recovery, relaxed cuts with dropped shoulder seams offer extra room over base layers. A cord lock on the hood drawstring is worth looking for if loose hood strings bother you.
Senior sizing and garment care
Senior is the name of the adult cut, as opposed to the youth, junior and intermediate cuts. To find your ideal size, measure your chest circumference around the fullest point and refer to the specific size chart for the garment you choose. A hoodie worn over a base layer and under a jacket needs the room those layers take, so measure over what you will actually wear it with. Follow the care instructions on the product label as well.