No Toe Pick: Unlike figure skates, hockey skates have a smooth, curved front to allow for aggressive stops and starts without the blade catching on the ice.
Stiffness and Support: Modern hockey boots are designed to be quite stiff to lock the ankle in place, preventing energy loss during powerful strides while still allowing enough forward flex for a proper hockey stance (bent knees).
Durability: Because hockey is a contact sport, the materials are built to withstand heavy impacts from pucks, sticks, and collisions.