Every hockey player, regardless of their position, needs to have their skates sharpened from time to time. Generally speaking, a sharper blade can lead to a more dynamic performance, better allowing players and goaltenders to push off, pivot and stop because the blade cuts into the ice surface better than a dull one. But how do you know how often your skates need to be sharpened? Here's a closer look:

How Often Should Skates Be Sharpened?

The regularity at which your skates need to be sharpened is largely based on what type of cut you like on your blade. If you prefer a shallow cut, you can usually go about a dozen games or practices before sharpening. However, if you like a deeper cut, you'll need to have your skates sharpened every three to four games and practices. Make sure you know what type of a cut you prefer and have them sharpened accordingly.

If you're new to hockey, there are also several tell-tale signs to be on the lookout for that warrant skate sharpening. These include:

• The fingernail test: Gently run your fingernail over the edge of the skate blade. If some of your nail shaves off, the blade is likely sharp enough. If it doesn't, you likely need a skate sharpening.
• Performance issues: Not stopping as abrupt as you'd like to? Not getting a good push off? Not pivoting or crossing over well? A dull blade can hamper performance, so if your game is lacking a good skate sharpening could be in order.
• Nicks in the blade: Inspect the blade regularly for signs of nicks, as these can alter skating performance. This is especially true for goaltenders, whose skates are normally coming into contact with the steel goalposts. Sharpenings smooth out the rough parts of the blade.
• The thumb test: Gently drag your thumb over the blade of the skate. If it catches, the blade is likely sharp enough. If it doesn't and the thumb rolls easily off the blade, you should look into getting a skate sharpening.

While skate sharpening is a part of being a hockey player, this service is typically inexpensive (about $5-$8 a sharpening), fast and immediately effective. Looking for more helpful hockey tips? Browse our hockey blog and to learn more about our hockey & goalie training camps.