Archive for the hockey equipment Category
Introducing The 2016 CCM Super Tacks Skates
After the successful launch of the CCM JetSpeed skates in 2015 it was with great anticipation that we awaited the 2016 launch of the CCM Tacks skates featuring the return to prominence of the legendary Super Tack skate! Five years in the 
making, the CCM Super Tacks skate represents one of the most revolutionary technologies found in hockey skates in decades. Some of the notable features include:
- The high performance carbon composite used in the Super Tacks skate is uniquely moldable to the player’s foot, providing an excellent customizable fit and high level of skating performance.
- MonoFrame 360 technology is a one-piece boot frame that eliminates the need for an outsole. It allows the skate to be molded 360° around the foot, for ultimate reactiveness and Direct Force Propulsion (DFP).
- The SpeedBlade Black consists of a premium oxide-treated steel that hardens the blade and helps provide a longer edge life.
The entire Tacks line is the most anatomical fit of the CCM family of skates with a slightly fuller toe box with an anatomical heel lock for the perfect balance of comfort and control. If you haven’t tried on a Tacks skate recently you really owe it to yourself to try one on.
Need more incentive to try out the new CCM Super tacks? How about a chance to win a pair of Super Tacks skates? For a limited time if you come in and check out a pair of new Super Tacks skates you will be given a key with a chance to “unlock” a pair of Super Tacks skates! Hey, even if you don’t win the skates we’ll still give you a free CCM hat just for trying the skates on! Click on the banner below for more details
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.
Bauer Supreme 1S Skates Available Now!
The new Supreme 1S Skates feature all of Bauer’s industry leading innovations to give you your most explosive stride to date. Entirely new and exciting technology includes C-FLEX Technology found in the tendon guard. This re-engineered tendon guard will feature custom inserts which vary in degrees of stiffness to allow you to choose how much flex can be exerted while skating. Popular additions from the Vapor 1X include Speed Plate footbeds and LS4 blades. You can get your hands on the new Supreme 1S skates NOW! #PlayExplosive
Bauer Supreme 1s Jr
Bauer Supreme 1s Sr
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
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.
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.
A Hockey Player’s Guide to Choosing the Correct Hockey Stick Curve
With seemingly endless stick curves to choose from, it can be a confusing and overwhelming process to find the perfect pattern that suits your style of play. One way to simplify your selection process is by looking at the 3 most popular stick patterns on the market. Each hockey manufacturer makes their own version of these 3 curves:
- Bauer P88 (Kane), CCM P40 (Hossa/MacKinnon), Easton E3 (Hall), Warrior W88 (Zetterberg)
This “mid” curve has become the most popular pattern on the market today. It has a perfect blend of attributes, and is not drastically catered to any specific style of play. Whether you are a puck moving defensemen, or a goal scorer, this has proven to be increasingly popular among players as a true “hybrid” pattern.
- Bauer P92 (Ovechkin), CCM P29 (Crosby), Easton E36, Warrior W03 (Backstrom)
This “mid-toe” curve is a perfect stickhandlers pattern. The slightly exaggerated curve allows for better puck control in tight spaces. The open face is beneficial for snap shots, or when the player needs to elevate the puck quickly.
- Bauer P28 (Giroux), CCM P28 (McDavid), Easton E28, Warrior W28 (Yakupov)
This “toe” curve is a true shooters pattern and is probably the fastest growing pattern on the market today, especially among forwards. The major hook at the toe allows for accurate shooting and the aggressive lie is ideal for stickhandling in tight spaces.
(Left: Mid Curve, Middle: Mid-Toe Curve, Right: Toe Curve)
Bauer Vapor 1X Skate Available NOW!
Bauer Hockey’s most researched, designed, and tested hockey skate in their long history, the Vapor 1X, arrived on April 24, 2015. While the skate is still classic Bauer Vapor there have been some significant changes such as:
- The 1X is built off Bauer’s 3D Lasted Composite upper, but we are introduced to a flashier version of an Aluminized Curv® Composite material.
- The 37.5™ liner technology dry up to 5 times faster than similar fabrics without it. 37.5™ helps to regulate your core body temperature, keeping your foot drier for longer, which enhances control and performance.
- Tuuk Lightspeed Edge holder complemented by an elite grade stainless steel Tuuk LS4 runner, which adds another three millimeters in profile height. This further increases the angle of attack, expands on your profiling options, increases the longevity of the steel with considerably more sharpenings, not to mention the performance enhancements of energy transfer and strong edges offered by such premium steel.
- Bauer’s SPEED PLATE™ features a recovery alloy technology, which basically means that this footbed is customized to your foot. It essentially marries the shape of your foot to the skate and puts the center of pressure more over the blade, which allows for better balance, control and performance.
Bauer Vapor 1X Junior Hockey Skate
$649.99
Bauer Vapor 1X Senior Hockey Skate
$899.99
Brian’s Goalie Pads: A True Custom Experience
When it comes to goalie pad customization, no goalie company does it better than Brian’s. Brian’s offers a truly 100% customizable goalie pad, which is unlike any other company on the market today.
This year we have been lucky enough to take part in some of the cooler customizations that we have ever done. All the completely original ideas were from our customers, and Brian’s was able to bring them to life with remarkable attention to detail. No design is too difficult for the crew at Brian’s, and they embrace any design challenge. Below are some of the pads we did this season:
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- Moe Bradley from Umass Boston
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- Dave Cunningham from Amherst College
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- Sihak Lee from BB&N School
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- Ryan McConnell from Tufts University
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- Tanner Jones from Virginia Tech
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- Shaughn Sargent
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- Derek Roy from Northeastern
The Big Debate: Should Hockey Players use Grip or Non-Grip Sticks?
Many hockey retailers will tell you that using a grip or non-grip stick strictly comes down to personal preference. While this remains true to some extent, there are certainly some added benefits to using a grip hockey stick.
We have heard directly from shooting coaches across the country, and they feel that the grip stick allows for the player to have their bottom hand firmly planted on the stick, while taking a shot. This is important because it ensures that there is no slippage of the hand. When the bottom hand slips during a shot, the player loses power that is needed to “load” the stick for a shot.
Longtime NHLer and shooting coach Scott Bjugstad has been advocating grip sticks for some time now. When we met him at an Easton hockey expo, he explained that a huge amount of velocity can be lost on shots when using a non-grip stick.
We are starting to see a trend toward grip sticks, and we believe that this philosophy is the driving force.
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Email: info@sportsetc.net