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Brian’s and Their Sub Zero 3 Line Are Changing the Game
Brian’s has released the new Sub Zero 3 goalie line, and it is without a doubt one of the best goalie pad designs we have seen. The incredibly light feel, easy smart strap system and customization capabilities have all contributed to the rapid growth of the Brian’s brand. Their dedication to “Goalie’s Only” is evident in their high quality product. Below are some of the highlights:
Lightest Goalie Pad Ever
The new Brian’s Sub Zero 3 goalie pads are 10% lighter than the Sub Zero II, which was previously the lightest pad on the market. The thinner profile has allowed for a weight reduction, but the flat-faced design keeps the pad stiff.
Cutting Edge Design
The Brian’s Sub Zero 3 pads have ditched the leather straps for a smart strap system. The smart strapping system has made the goalie pad 100% adjustable, and allows the goalie to find the most comfortable feel for their game. The design also allows for a smoother pad rotation on the leg for butterfly goaltenders.
Customization Capabilities
The customization of the Brian’s goalie equipment is simply incredible. There is literally no custom design that Brian’s will turn away. The attention to detail is second to none, and the team at Brian’s is enthusiastic about new and challenging designs. Below is a collection of some custom designs that we helped put together at Sports Etc:
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- Custom USA Chest Protector
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- Old School Brian’s B-Star Design
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- Tanner Jones from Virginia Tech
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- Dave Cunningham from Amherst College
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- Ryan McConnell from Tufts University
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- Sihak Lee from BB&N School
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- Moe Bradley from Umass Boston
Fastest Growing Goalie Brand
Brian’s is without a doubt the fastest growing goalie company, and you will see it firsthand at the NHL level. They have increased to an 18% market share amongst NHL/AHL goalies. Brian’s has a small company feel with outstanding customer service. Their dedication to serving goalie customers is unmatched, and has contributed to their incredible growth.
Don’t think you can afford the pro-level Sub Zero 3? Try the Brian’s Sub Zero 7.0 series. One of the best value pads currently on the market. We would put it up against many other companies’ pro-level pads. The stiff face creates an incredibly durable pad, at an affordable price.
Customize your next pair of SZ3’s —->Brian’s SZ3 Customizer
Holiday Gift Ideas For The Whole Family!
It’s holiday time and Sports Etc is your one stop for all the skaters and hockey players on your list! We have great gifts throughout the website, but here are a few of our most popular gifts this season!
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- The most durable hockey shooter tutor available! Will last your entire hockey career.
- Patented “Lift Up Design” pull cord allows for easy collection of pucks.
- No exposed bungees to break.
- Rated as the top hockey shooter tutor by the Pros.
- Easily installs on any regulation size net.
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- 20 tiles (20 Sq. Ft.) per box (i.e. 3 boxes = 60 tiles or 60 Sq. Ft.)
- Each tile is 12″ x 12″ (1 Sq. Ft.)
- UV protected for use outdoors as well as indoors
- Mimics the slickness of real ice to give you that on-ice feel
- Tiles snap together in seconds
- Prevents wear and tear on your hockey stick blade
- Durable enough to drive and park on, making them perfect for garages and driveways
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- Extremely durable – made to last
- Perfect for use both on and off the ice
- SweetHands Rookie = 4-Piece Set
- Use the two four foot units to create T or L shaped drills
- Perfect coaching and stickhandling aid for players of all ages and skill levels
- Helps players learn everything from basic stickhandling moves to complex toe-drags and how to incorporate them into a sequence.
- Combine with our PassMaster for the ultimate stickhandling training tool
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Screw in spikes included for on-ice use
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- The only puck passer that has 3 usable sides.
- Let’s you master the critical hockey skills needed to dominate the game.
- Great for working on one-timers and developing quick hands
- Use the PassMaster anywhere you want – the driveway, garage, basement, dryland area and on-ice.
- High quality industrial strength band ensures season after season use
- Comes with removable spikes for on-ice use
- Constructed of heavy-duty steel so it will last season after season!
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- Table hockey game with NHL-inspired design
- Includes 1 extra team
- Size: 96 x 50 cm (L x W)
- All parts are replaceable
- Minimal installation required
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- 2 SuperDeker rebounder bands
- 1 SuperDeker ePuck
- 1 bottle of SuperDeker Zero Friction Ice Spray
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- PLAY SURFACE: New center ice graphics on the 1/4″ thick hardboard surface
- MISCELLANEOUS: Solid wood corner banks & goal zone obstacles
- IN THE BOX: Two hardwood pucks and two plastic hockey sticks
- MADE IN THE USA!
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- Improve your passing, receiving and shooting skills
- Enhance Player creativity
- Create great stick handling speed and accuracy
- Develop quick and soft hands
- Practice with your actual game sticks off the ice
- Practice accurate toe-drag skills
- Train virtually anywhere without the need of a partner
- Set-up and practice real game situations
- Used by all ages at all skill levels
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- Structure: Vinyl outer lined with dual density foam padding in the ankle area and a flex notch
- Lining: Synthetic fur and velvet lined footbed
- Closure: Laces with lace hooks
- Outsole: Molded
- Blade: Carbon steel figure
- Available Sizes: 1-10
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- Expands up to 4 full sizes as your child grows.
- Sizes: 12-2, 2-6, 5-8
- Supportive Liner – Securely holds foot in place no matter the size it’s adjusted to.
- Bladerunner Performance Wheels – 72mm Sized wheels, perfect for little feet learning to roll.
- ABEC 3 Bearings – Keeps wheels turning as young skaters keep moving.
- Durable Integrated Frame – Offers a lower center of gravity for enhanced control.
- Tough Shell – Creates lateral support and protection from hard hits.
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- Expands up to 4 full sizes as your child grows.
- Sizes: 12-2, 2-6, 5-8
- Supportive Liner – Securely holds foot in place no matter the size it’s adjusted to.
- Bladerunner Performance Wheels – 72mm Sized wheels, perfect for little feet learning to roll.
- ABEC 3 Bearings – Keeps wheels turning as young skaters keep moving.
- Durable Integrated Frame – Offers a lower center of gravity for enhanced control.
- Tough Shell – Creates lateral support and protection from hard hits.
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- One strap system
- Comfort nylon liner
- Available sizes: 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13
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- One strap system
- Comfort nylon liner
- Available sizes: 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13
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- Structure: Vinyl outer lined with dual density foam padding in the ankle area and a flex notch
- Lining: Synthetic fur and velvet lined footbed
- Closure: Laces with lace hooks
- Outsole: Molded
- Blade: Carbon steel figure
- Available Sizes: 1-10
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- Structure: Lightweight, articulated upper
- Push-button adjustment mechanism
- Lining: Padded velvet including tongue
- Closure: Cuff buckle, 45° powerstrap and laces
- Blade: Carbon steel
- Sizes: US 12J – 2, 2 – 5, 5 – 8
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- Structure: Lightweight, articulated upper
- Push-button adjustment mechanism
- Lining: Padded velvet including tongue
- Closure: Cuff buckle, 45° powerstrap and laces
- Blade: Carbon steel
- Sizes: US 12J – 2, 2 – 5, 5 – 8
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- Built to last with durable non-marking wheels, ABEC 5 bearings, and lightweight plastics.
- Improve your skating stride and endurance at the same time.
- The RollerGard is a great addition to any skater’s bag.
- Skate into the rink, out of the rink, and anywhere that has smooth hard surfaces.
- The Rollergard uses indoor/outdoor wheels with an 89A durometer and ABEC-5 bearings.
- Secure fit with non-slip strap and lock notch strap technology.
- One Size Fits All!
What to Look for in a Goalie Stick
- When choosing a goalie stick, there are some important features to look for when trying to identify the right stick.
- Paddle Height- One of the most common problems that we see in young goaltenders is incorrect paddle height on their stick. It is important to have a good “balance” when you are crouched in the butterfly position. Too often young goalies have paddles that are too large, which throws off their overall balance, and exposes them to bigger rebounds and more areas for the shooter to score. The below picture of Tukka Rask is exactly how you want to be “balanced” when you’re in net. Tuukka gets very low in his stance, so he uses a much smaller paddle than other goalies. There is no uniform measurement for having the properly sized goalie stick, so it is essential to identify what stick height best fits your style of play.
- Weight- The weight of a goalie stick is another overlooked aspect, especially in younger goaltenders. Many times younger goalies have difficulty handling heavier wood sticks. Composite sticks are much lighter, and we typically recommend them to anyone just starting out. For goalies playing at the high school level or higher, we recommend foam core wood sticks. They are slightly heavier than composite sticks, but goalies typically have a much better “feel” for the puck because of the wood construction.
- Feel- Typically, foam core wood goalie sticks generate the best “feel” for the puck. The wood construction allows for a better handle on the puck, and works to “deaden” shots on net. Conversely, composite sticks generate a strong bounce or deflection because of the materials that make up the stick.
- It is important for every goalie to find the best combination of height, weight and feel to find the perfect stick for your game. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one aspect to achieve another. Make sure to consult the goalie experts at Sports Etc. before your next purchase!
Hockey Parent’s Guide to Fitting Shoulder Pads
In the physical nature of hockey, it is important to have properly fitting shoulder pads. One of the common tendencies when fitting shoulder pads is to look at the shoulder caps themselves. While this is important, there are many other factors to look at when evaluating the fit of a shoulder pad. Below are some of the key features of a good shoulder pad:
- Shoulder Caps- Shoulder caps come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the common misconceptions is that a bigger shoulder cap is more protective. Bigger is not necessarily better. Many shoulder pads now come with a more tapered fit around the shoulder, but offer the same level of protection. You want to make sure the shoulder caps sit directly on top of the shoulders. A shoulder pad that is too large, will slide down the arms of the player and will be more susceptible to shifting around. One that is too small will not properly cover the shoulder.
- Clavicle Protection- Many shoulder pads do not come with a reinforced clavicle protection, so it is important to make sure that there is a reinforced piece of protection over the collar bone. A good shoulder pad will offer this protection.
- Upper Arm Protection- This part of the shoulder pad is often adjustable, and can be slid up and down to offer the best overall protection for the upper arm. The arm of the shoulder pad should meet the top of the elbow pad to ensure the most quality fit.
- Sternum Protection- One of the often overlooked pieces of protection is the sternum. A quality shoulder pad will contain a reinforced piece of padding directly over the sternum area. Many cheaper shoulder pads will offer limited or no protection through this area of the chest.
- Spine Protection- Another extremely important piece of the shoulder pad is the spinal protection. A quality shoulder pad will have a reinforced padding all the way down the spinal cord to ensure protection in an extremely sensitive area of the body. A cheaper shoulder pad will not contain this piece of padding.
Fit Instructions- You want to make sure that the shoulder caps sit directly over the shoulder bone, fully covering the collar bone on each side. The upper arm should meet the top of the elbow pad to fully cover the arm. The shoulder pad should also cover down to at least the middle of the stomach in the front, and midway down the back, where it should meet the hockey pant for full back and kidney protection.
Custom Team Jerseys and Apparel
Looking for custom team apparel? We offer a variety options including embroidery, screen printing and sublimated printing. We can put your custom logo on essentially anything, including:
- Team Jerseys
- Team Shells
- Sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Rink Suits
- Baseball Hats
- Pompom Hats
- Sandals
- And More!
Below are some examples of the customized apparel we have done for various teams and organizations.
Call us at 781-646-1600 or email at info@sportsetc.net for more information or a quote!
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- PomPom Hat
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- Bauer Mesh Back Hat
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- Wizards Sandals
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- Winchester Hockey Bag
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- Winchester Pompom Hat
Hockey Parent’s Guide to Fitting a Helmet Properly
As a parent, there are many things to think about when outfitting your hockey player. With all that we know about concussions, the most important piece of equipment is the hockey helmet. There are a few important pieces to focus on when fitting a hockey helmet. Most notably- proper fit, protection level and life span.
Proper fit: A proper fitting helmet should fit snugly on the player’s head. Any sign of a helmet rattling around, or fitting too loosely can be a major issue. Hockey players can take a variety of impacts, and a helmet that does not sit tightly on the head can lead to a variety of dangerous scenarios. Mainly, the helmet being dislodged from the player completely.
One of the commonly overlooked aspects of fitting a helmet, is how the cage fits onto the helmet itself. Many helmets are sold in “combo” form, with a cage already attached, but it is important to know that sometimes cage size and helmet size are not always consistent with each other. That is why we recommend buying the cage and helmet separately, to ensure the absolute best fit. The cage should sit right on the player’s chin, and should be firmly locked into the “J-Clips” on the side of the helmet. This ensures that the cage will not be driven into the players chin upon impact- which is a common factor in concussions.
Protection Level: Hockey hits come in all types, sizes and intensities. Often times, it is not necessarily the biggest hit on the ice that causes injury, but the most “awkward” hits. Different types of protection levels are essential in preventing concussions. Most helmets on the market help to protect against linear or direct impacts to the head. The difference between the cheaper and more expensive helmets though, is the quality of the foam used within the helmet. The best type of foam to look for is layered EPP or Poron. Most helmets in the $120+ range contain these materials. Low-end helmets often contain one layer of standard VN foam, which loses protective capability over time as it hardens.
The one aspect that differentiates the BEST helmets, from the lower-end helmets, is a helmets protection level against rotational impacts. Most helmets can withstand a linear or direct impact, and can sufficiently protect the player, but the rotational impacts typically have a more devastating impact on a players head. There are numerous helmets on the market that take this into account- most notably the Bauer Re-Akt series and the CCM Resistance series. These technologies help the head move independent of the helmet, so the awkward angle impacts, which cause the head to snap around with the helmet are mitigated.
Life Span: Another critical and overlooked area in preventing concussions, is paying attention to the “life span” of a helmet. Routinely, a player can wear the same size helmet for years and years. A lot of times, a youth hockey player can stay in that same size helmet until adulthood. Just like anything that gets worn down over time, a hockey helmet needs to be re-examined and at times replaced completely. The important piece to look at, is the foam within the helmet. The foam is designed to take repeated impacts, but over time as the impacts increase, and sweat is absorbed and dried out into the material- the foam hardens. As the player takes an impact, this hardened foam is driving into the head, which can cause major head trauma.
New Bauer Nexus 1N Stick Available September 2015!
The exciting new Bauer Nexus lineup of sticks featuring the Nexus 1N will be available September 2015. More details coming soon!
How Do You Properly Fit Hockey Skates?
When it comes to a hockey player’s performance, properly sized skates are a very important piece of the game. When a player wears a skate that is not sized correctly or is uncomfortable, it can cause blisters & discomfort. To avoid this, you want to ensure your skates are properly sized.
Having strong ankle support, with good stability, is vital to a correctly sized pair of skates. You want your skates to have a solid exterior to protect your feet from other skates & pucks. A strong boot also provides proper alignment so your ankles do not lack support. Usually, your skates should be about 1 ½ sizes smaller than your normal shoe size. As you try on skates, try to wear socks similar to the ones you would wear while playing hockey.
When fitting youth skates, you want to be able to place a finger in the middle of the heel of your foot & the boot. This allows room for growth in the skates. Next, kick your heel into the back of your boot. Keeping your foot flat on the ground, tightly lace your skates so your foot stays firmly in place.
Walk around in your skates to check the comfort of them. It is important to focus on a few things. You want to make sure that your heel is laying flat and not moving around when you walk. You should have a little bit of space in the toe (if your toe is lightly brushing the toe box that is okay). This ensures that the skate is the proper length. Likewise, it is also important to make sure that the width is not too tight or too loose. Skates come in many different widths depending on the make of the skate. The skate should fit snugly, but should not feel like it’s digging into the side of the foot.
Most skates are now heat moldable, so the break-in process has become much easier, but it can take a few wears to break in your skates.
For more questions on properly fitting your skates, you can contact us at 781-646-1600 or stop by our Arlington store.
Fit To Fly! CCM JetSpeed Skates Available Now!
The New CCM JetSpeed skate line is here! These skates prove that great speed starts with a great fit! The new Rocketframe construction helps deliver a close fit and a precise heel lock to break the sound barrier on ice! Players like Patrice Bergeron and Connor McDavid already know what it’s like to be Fit To Fly! Come in and test drive a pair of JetSpeed skates and not only get an exclusive 30 satisfaction guarantee but we’ll throw in a free CCM hat just for trying a pair on! Get Ready For Takeoff!
CCM JetSpeed Shock
CCM JetSpeed Vibe
CCM JetSpeed Pro
Made of Hockey: CCM Protective Equipment
The CCM protective equipment continues to be the lightest, strongest and most comfortable hockey equipment on the market today. Similar to the way Bauer excels in the skate category, CCM holds steady as the industry leader in shoulder pad, elbow pad, shin pad and hockey pant sales.
Much of the CCM protective equipment is modeled after the legendary Jofa Hockey brand, which was acquired by Reebok/CCM. Jofa was highly popular throughout the NHL for many years, and their style of equipment lives on today through the CCM brand.
The CCM Crazylight U Foam technology creates an extremely light feel to their equipment, while the water resistant material doesn’t retain sweat, which can weigh a player down during a hockey game. While many different brands produce shoulder pads and elbow pads that can be unnecessarily bulky and large, CCM understands that hockey is a game of speed. The reduction in weight and size of their product is ideal for the best on-ice performance. All of this is done without compromising the protection of the player.
When it comes to choosing the best protective hockey equipment based on comfort and protection, CCM is the consensus pick from the staff at Sports Etc.
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Email: info@sportsetc.net