Archive for the Recent News Category
The Brian’s OPTIK & Newly Designed BOA System
New to 2017, the Brian’s OPTIK series will be featuring a truly innovative design for their catcher and blocker– the BOA system.
Brian’s OPTIK Catcher:
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Replacing traditional back hand strapping, the BOA System allows the user to dial in a custom fit ensuring a secure, comfortable feel. Not every goalie is going to like a traditionally sized palm– in this design, the BOA allows for the goalie to tighten the glove hand to their specifications. This is particularly helpful for someone with smaller hands, that is seeking a pro-level goalie glove.
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Redesigned shape based on the positive feedback of the Darling spec glove, the re-designed shape ensures maximum circumference and blocking surface.
Brian’s OPTIK Blocker:
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Replacing traditional back hand strapping, the BOA System allows the user to dial in a custom fit ensuring a secure, comfortable feel. The BOA system allows for a completely customized fit around the blocker hand. Hands come in all shapes and sizes, and this feature allows for an ideal fit for every goalie.
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Re-designed index finger protection around finger tip. Removable foam pillow provides increased comfort and thumb protection.
Introducing the Brian’s OPTIK Goalie Pads
Ready for sale on 11/1/2017, Brian’s will be introducing a third series of goalie gear to accompany their GNetik and Heritage lines– the OPTIK.
The OPTIK series will feature the thinnest profile leg pad on the market today. The unique shape provides an extremely lightweight feel, without sacrificing durability. Here are some of the new key features/highlights:
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The elimination of the outer roll decreases weight, while improving thegoaltenders vision on pucks that need to be seen in tight. Traditionally, outer rolls were designed to give the stuffed goalie pads structural support, which is no longer needed with the modern engineered foam core pad.
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OPTI-SLIDE inner gusset construction provides the ultimate slide and seal across the crease. The Primo liner, hardened HD foam sliding edge and bindingless design creates a smooth and quick slide.
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Flex Core and Fly Core Options– The newly engineered foam core is available in TWO distinct options. The “Flex Core” emulates feel and flex for a hybrid/reactive goaltender that is looking for maximum mobility, flex and torque on their pad. This has a distinct “S” curve and an aggressive 80-degree boot taper. The “Fly Core” provides a butterfly style goalie a straighter and more rigid core to maximize coverage and seal along the ice. This pad has a 90-degree boot taper, and is the stiffer option.
The OPTIK is a revolutionary and well-thought out design, as Brian’s continues to come up with innovative and progressive goalie pads. This series also effectively eliminates the Sub Zero line, but Brian’s made sure to keep many of the key pieces that made the Sub Zero line popular.
Sports Etc Learn-To-Play Youth Hockey Starter Package!
Fitting your young hockey player can be a difficult and overwhelming task- so let the crew at Sports Etc help you out!
Our Learn-To-Play Youth Hockey Starter Package offers every piece of hockey equipment needed to get your young hockey player on the ice. The head-to-toe package includes:
- Helmet/Cage Combo
- Shoulder Pads
- Elbow Pads
- Gloves
- Pants
- Shin Pads
- Skates
- Stick
- Hockey Bag
- + a Free Skate Sharpening!
We have been fitting hockey players for nearly 40 years and we take great pride in ensuring a proper fit. Unlike most generic hockey packages, we offer a mix-and-match package of top brand equipment to make sure that each piece of equipment fits just right. We even sharpen your skates for you!
Regularly priced at $375; NOW 20% OFF $299.99!
Sports Etc Product Review: 2017 Bauer Vapor 1X Hockey Skate
Sports Etc Performance To Value Rating– 9 out of 10
The Bauer Vapor 1X hockey skate continues to be the best-selling high-end performance skate that we carry. The 2017 version of the 1X has had some noticeable changes, which in our opinion have been for the better. Here are some of the pros and cons:
PROS:
- New and improved tongue: The newly designed “Flex Lock Pro” tongue has heat moldable inserts that improve the overall flexibility of the tongue, while not compromising on protection. The old high-end vapor model had a thick felt tongue, which was great for comfort and protection, but it also created an extremely stiff feel when attempting to flex your foot forward. The new tongue provides the most flexible and comfortable feel of any high-end model to date.
- Realigned Inner Quarter Panel: The inside panel of the boot has been increased in overall size to help support the natural ankle position and pressure that a skater puts on the boot. The majority of time, a skater is putting most of their pressure on the inside of the skate while pushing off. The increased surface area on the inside allows for a better response, while providing more support as you drive your skate into the ice.
- Improved Skate Eyelets: The softer flex composition of the eyelets makes them more durable than last years 1X model. The 2015 Bauer 1X had some issues with eyelets cracking because of the one piece composition of the boot and eyelets. This created too much stress on the eyelet, causing them to break. Bauer has redesigned the eyelets on the 2017 model to mimic a more traditional eyelet, which reduces stress on the eyelets, in turn improving the durability.
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- New Tongue/Eyelets
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- Realigned Quarter Panel
CONS:
- Steel Cracking: Since Bauer has changed to the Lightspeed Edge trigger holder, there has definitely been an uptick in steel breaking on their skates. This may be attributed to the way the steel is held into the skate. The “trigger” piece that holds the skate blade does not secure the blade as tight as the traditional screw that used to hold the steel. With that said, the convenience of changing steel on the fly has been a major benefit to the hockey community.
2017 Bauer Supreme 1S Hockey Stick-Bringing The BOOM!
Bauer recently launched the latest iteration of it’s popular Supreme 1S hockey stick. While remaining faithful to what loyal Supreme users love, they have made some improvements. Foremost among these is the new Renewcore technology in the blade. Renewcore is a gel placed inside the blade that stays in a liquid state forever. The benefits of this are:
- Improved energy transfer
- Improved puck feel
- Increased durability
The Extended Transfer Zone connects the taper to the high kickpoint, allowing energy to transfer faster and more effectively.
Check out the new 2017 Bauer Supreme 1S Stick, formulated to maximize energy transfer to give you your hardest shot and Bring The BOOM!
Bauer Supreme 1S Sr
Bauer Supreme 1s Int
Bauer Supreme 1s Jr
New 2017 Bauer Vapor Skates Available Now!
The new 2017 Bauer Vapor Skates are here! Led by the brand new 1X, the new Vapor line utilizes the latest in skate technology making their top selling skate line even better. Some of the top features on the new 2017 Vapor 1X include:
FLEX-LOCK PRO Tongue: The thermoforming inserts create a locked fit with forward flex providing the protection, fit and flexibility to fly.
LOCK-FIT PRO Liner: Keep your foot dry and locked in place for maximum agility and acceleration.
LOCK-FIT PRO Facing: Through both an additional lace lock and a softer flex composition, the 1X injected facing locks in your foot helping you lock in speed.
ASSYMETRICAL FIT: realigned boot’s quarter patterns and padding to match the natural ankle position, giving you added medial support while maximizing flex.
LIGHTSPEED EDGE trigger system makes swapping out dull steel quick and easy.
LIGHTSPEED 4 EDGE runner. Designed with an additional 3mm in profile height, players will have a greater angle of attack for increased agility
Additionally, check out Sports Etc exclusive models Vapor X Shift Pro, Vapor X Shift, Vapor X Velocity, Vapor X Select and Vapor X Rival. Each of these exclusive models has unique upgrades and features not found on standard Bauer models!
Come in and be professionally fit to a new pair of 2017 Bauer Vapor Skates!
Introducing Raven Hockey Sticks For Young Players
We’re pleased to announce our new partnership with Raven Sticks, the first hockey sticks designed specifically for young players (under 100 lbs). The Raven philosophy is simple- All Hockey Players should be using a stick with a Flex Rating that equals less than 50% of your their body weight!
With this in mind they developed a simplified, color coded line of sticks that will give your young player the proper flex from the onset. As your player grows you simply move up to the next flex. Choosing the proper flex will allow your player to learn to shoot properly & LET IT FLY!
Which Raven Stick Should You Choose? Check Out This Flex Calculator
Raven Hockey Flex Calculator
For a limited time get the Raven sticks in Limited Edition Ninja graphics!
Product Review: Superfeet Carbon Pro Hockey Insoles
The Superfeet Carbon Pro Hockey insoles provide up to 11% better acceleration on the ice, unrivaled edge control and exceptional energy transfer. Designed for tight turns, crossovers, quick starts and hard stops, these Superfeet footbeds are a game changer on the ice.
Here are some of the highlights and benefits of Superfeet:
- On-Ice Benefits: The plastic Flybridge reinforcement through the heel and mid-foot loads and channels energy when the skater puts pressure on the bottom of his/her foot. This energy transfer is much smoother with a reinforced insole and creates an 11% improvement in acceleration on the ice. The carbon fiber in the heel of the Flybridge also creates added stability and improves the attack angle for the skater- which allows for quick starts, crisp stops and tight turns.
- Medical Benefits: The added support and stability that the Superfeet insole provides has contributed to health benefits in the feet, ankles, knees, back and spine. The improved stability in the footbed aligns the ankles and knees of the skater, which in turn takes stress off of other parts of the body including the knees, back and spine. We have also seen huge benefits for individuals with foot problems as well, including plantar fasciitis, high arch, low arch, flat feet, etc. The support provided takes tremendous stress off of the skaters foot in these situations.
- Equipment Benefits: The venting system in the Superfeet insoles improves air circulation and drainage, which helps the hockey skate boot from breaking down and diminishes the accumulation of rust on a players steel through normal wear-and-tear. The footbeds also reduce friction between the foot and the boot because the footbed secures the players foot in a more stable position, in turn reducing pressure and wear-and-tear on the skate.
All in all, the Superfeet Carbon Pro Hockey insoles provide an incredible improvement over the flimsy footbeds that come in the majority of hockey skates on the market today. Typical footbeds consist of not much more than a single layer of foam padding, with no structural support. These insoles help improve on-ice performance, medical ailments and equipment issues.
For a limited time you can get the ultimate hockey skate upgrade and get a great price! From November 9-30 you can get the Carbon Pro Hockey Footbeds for 20% Off our regular price!
The Best Deal in Hockey Equipment: Exclusive Products from Source For Sports
Source for Sports is the largest independent sporting goods buying group in the world. Sports Etc is a proud member of this group, and our access to the group allows us to offer some of the best deals in hockey equipment that you will only find exclusively at Source for Sports retailers in the United States and Canada.
To get a better idea of what this means, here is a quick overview: Because of our large buying power as a group, hockey manufacturers like CCM and Bauer cater to members of the Source for Sports group to create hockey equipment made to our specifications. More simply put, this allows us to offer higher-end products at a more affordable price.
Here are a few examples:
The CCM Jetspeed Vibe hockey skate is sold for $299.99 retail, but contains many high-end features that are typically on a skate that costs $799+. The boot is full composite, which is an NHL caliber construction. Similarly, the steel on the skate is + 2mm in length, which is another key feature in many premier hockey skates.
The Bauer Vapor XShift hockey stick is based off the Bauer European Team stick, which is used in professional/junior leagues across the world. The added performance upgrades include high-end shaft and blade constructions that are typically on a stick in the $269.99+ range, but we are able to offer it at $159.99. Nearly $100 savings without sacrificing any performance on the ice.
These types of deals exist only because of the buying group, and are only available at Source for Sports retailers. The exclusive offers can be found in all types of hockey equipment- sticks, skates, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, pants, shin guards, etc. Shop now at www.sportsetc.net!
Hockey Helmets-It’s Time For An Upgrade!
As we learn more about head injuries and contact sports, the process of choosing the proper hockey helmet becomes more and more important. While the technical engineering of hockey helmets continues to advance, the bottom line is it’s not a “one size fits all” concept. There is more to purchasing the proper helmet than the “nuts and bolts”. At Sports Etc. we like to highlight 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 helmets on the market that take this into account- most notably the Bauer Re-Akt helmet. 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 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. At Sports Etc. we suggest changing out your helmet every 3 years. hockey helmet needs to be re-examined and at times replaced
Check out more information on 2 of the newest, next generation helmets available now!
https://www.sportsetc.net/news/hockey-equipment/introducing-the-ccm-tacks-710-hockey-helmet
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