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The Best Goalie Companies in Hockey
- When it comes to goalie equipment, three companies dominate the industry: Vaughn, CCM and Brian’s. Each company has perfected their craft in their own unique way.
- Vaughn has set the industry standard for goalie pads for decades now. Mike Vaughn has continued to stay ahead of the curve with new trends, and truly innovative technology.
- All pro pads are domestically made in Oxford, Michigan, which allows Vaughn to make THE most quality product in the goalie equipment industry. They simply do not sacrifice quality, and often use more expensive materials to construct their gear than any other company. The result is a quality goalie equipment that lasts longer and performs better. Trust us, we’ve seen it firsthand in their factory.
- A true testament to their success: a whopping 82% of pro goalies wear at least one piece of Vaughn equipment on the ice.
- NHL Goalies in Vaughn Pads: Jonathan Quick, Tuukka Rask, Jimmy Howard, Cory Schneider.
- CCM has the best variety when it comes to goalie equipment, specifically leg pads. They have two equally successful lines of pads: The E-Flex Series caters to the athletic goalie that is looking for a flexible pad to absorb rebounds, while the Premier series caters to the technically sound goalie that looks to direct and control rebounds.
- CCM has a tremendous amount of support at the NHL level, and they continue to make great strides in the goalie industry. The combination of CCM and Reebok into one entity has strengthened their brand exponentially.
- NHL Goalies in CCM Pads: Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, Corey Crawford, Marc-Andre Fleury.
- Brian’s has been making recent waves in the goalie industry with their unmatched goalie pad customization. You can transform any design, logo, and put it on the face of a Brian’s goalie pad. You name it, they can create it.
- Brian’s promotes themselves as “goalies only,” and they are just that- all of their focus and attention is catered to their goalie customers.
- Their smaller company size allows them to provide excellent customer service and attention. No change or tweak to your goalie equipment is too small for the people at Brian’s.
- NHL Goalies in Brian’s Pads: Craig Anderson, Jaroslav Halak, Eddie Lack, Scott Darling.
The Top 5 Hockey Skate Brands
1.) Bauer Vapor Line
- The Bauer Vapor series has been a staple in the hockey skate industry for over a decade now. The Vapor line continues to be a best-seller because of its reliable, excellent fit. The narrow, tapered fit allows the skate to fit snugly on a players foot, which most hockey players desire to achieve the best performance.
- The new “trigger” holder from Bauer has also had a tremendous impact on the popularity of the brand. The ability to change out broken blades, or freshly sharpened blades on the fly has proven to provide excellent value to the skate.
2.) CCM Jetspeed Line
- The only skate that has been able to successfully put a dent in the Bauer Vapor line, has been the new Jetspeed skate from CCM. The fit is very similar to that of a Bauer Vapor, in that it is a narrow, tapered fit, which allows the boot to sit securely on the foot. Once you get this skate on someone’s foot, it has been an easy sell.
3.) Bauer Supreme Line
- The Bauer Supreme series has been Bauer’s second best-selling skate for a number of years now. The Supreme fits a little bit wider than the Vapor, so if someone has a “fuller” foot and wants a Bauer skate, this is generally the skate for them. The contoured fit around the ankle provides an excellent heel lock, while the spacious mid-foot area creates a comfortable fit.
4.) CCM Tacks Line
- The new CCM Tacks line mimcs the fit of a Bauer Supreme- the contoured boot locks the heel in place, while the slightly wider mid-foot adds space for those with “fuller” feet. The Tacks of a few years ago were extremely wide, and created a very sloppy fit, but have been newly redesigned for a more secure fit.
5.) CCM Ribcor Line
- The CCM Ribcor Line is one of the most comfortable “out-of-the-box” fits on the skate market. The slightly wider width allows for a generous fit, while the softer boot creates a forgiving and comfortable fit. Ideal for any player that values comfort over anything else.
Off-Ice Hockey Training Tools for Player Development
For many players and parents, hockey is a long season that involves many hours spent in the rink, but during the off-season there are some awesome training tools that can benefit all hockey players, from beginner to experienced.
Here are some of the best and most popular off-ice training tools on the market today that help improve shooting, passing, stick handling and skating:
- The Boomerang Passer Practice Ice Passing System is made of high density polyethylene to simulate an actual ice surface. It can be set up on virtually any level surface. The off-ice sheet is pre-drilled for proper mounting and comes complete with all the required mounting hardware. In minutes you can mount the Passer to the sheet and you are ready to set-up on your driveway, garage or basement floor.
- The Boomerang practice ice is perfect for practicing passes, one-timers or stick handling.
Get Your Boomerang Passer Today!
2.) Pro Guard Slide Board
- Slide boards are designed to build the quick, explosive strides that you will need to become a powerful skater on the ice. Pro Guard’s Slide Board lateral training helps improve power, change of direction, balance, agility, speed, flexibility and endurance.
- Ask any player in the NHL what the most important aspect of training is, and they will always refer to power skating. It is THE most important aspect of any player’s game, and this tool is an excellent way to build strength and speed off the ice.
Get Sliding Today!
3.) Smart Hockey Balls/Pucks
- The Smart Hockey Balls are excellent for simulating the actual weight and “feel” of a hockey puck. This off-ice training tool is the best way to improve stick handling. These Smart Hockey balls can be used on any flat surface- use it indoors or outdoors, you pick!
Get Stick Handling Today!
Bauer Supreme 1S Goalie Skate- Available Now!
The new Bauer Supreme 1S Goalie Skate is here and it could completely change the goalie skate industry forever. The completely unique and innovative technology ditches the traditional cowling for a new and improved holder, which sheds weight like you wouldn’t believe. The new VERTEXX edge holder also improves the attacking angle of the goalie by adding height, and removing the hindrances of a traditional cowling, allowing the goalie to keep their skate closer to the ice than ever before.
Here are some the highlights from Bauer:
The Supreme 1S has a lighter weight outsole to maximize quickness. An asymmetric design allows for a deeper stance. And the revolutionary VERTEXX EDGE holder gives goalies a greater attack angle for getting to pucks once thought unstoppable.
The Vertexx Edge holder is a goalie specific holder that eliminates the cowling and adds 5mm in height, giving it 10% better attack angle than the Vertexx 2.0 and 38% better than a traditional cowling. Combined with removable steel that’s ready at the pull of the trigger, goalies now get the upper hand.
Shed weight and speed increases. The Supreme 1S skates use the first-ever composite outsole to reduce weight by 11 percent, increasing stiffness for greater weight transfer and quickness, eliminating the need and weight of a cowling.
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