Skating is the basis of hockey. The quality and fit of your skates are critical to your performance as a hockey player. Get the best you can afford. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as good cheap skates.

Sizing

With heels in the back of the boot, your toes should just feather the inside of the toebox. Try skates one or two sizes than your street shoes. If your feet are narrow, try Bauers. If your feet are wide, try CCMs.

Sharpening

When they come from the factory, ice skate blades are just stamped out from sheet steel and have not been sharpened. You need to get your new skates sharpened before you skate in them.

Hollow is a function of many variables; ice quality, player weight, skating style, personal preference, etc. A good default is 3/8". Try that and see how it works. How does it feel when you do a quick hockey stop or sharp turn? If they slide sideways too easily, try a deeper hollow. If they dig in too much, ease up on the hollow.

Breaking-In

The best way to break-in your skates is to wear them. When you get your new goalie skates home, tie them up and strap on a pair of skate protectors. Walk around the house, do some chores, watch TV. Go skating.

I do not recommend wearing them in the shower, soaking them in water or any similar methods. Leather and steel don't do well when soaked like that, and it doens't help with synthetic materials at all.

Gearing Up

Over the instep, keep the laces a little loose -- you don't want to cut off circulation in your foot. At the ankle start tightening up for better support. Wrap the laces around your ankle and then tie the bow.