Equipment Store
New Equipment Trends
We have noticed some recent trends in hockey equipment. Composite hockey sticks are fairly expensive and players are becoming frustrated with the cost of replacement sticks when they break. Some players are going back to the two piece composite/wooden blade.
A new skate sharpening technique to seriously consider. Would you like your skates to bite into the ice more when you turn? Would you like more glide when you are on the flats of your blades? You can, with a new skate sharpening technique known as the flat bottom v method or the v-edge.
Skates have been sharpened pretty much the same way for the last 50 years (that is a broad guess--I know at one time local hardware stores sharpened skates and so this might be an overstatement). A half moon arc is cut into the bottom of the skate blade which gives you two edges to use for skating. This traditional approach has worked pretty well but when you are gliding straight-up and are on the flats of your blades, they tend to sink and create drag. So this is where the v-edge comes in. The blade is left flat on the bottom with two “fangs” on each edge.
The v-edge was first introduced in early 2009 by Blackstone Sports in Kingsville, Ontario. Most NHL teams have adopted it. It is my experience that it took about twenty minutes at open skating to adjust to it. The blades really bite when you turn. My cross-overs are much stronger. I thought my skates “chattered” a bit more when I stopped but that went away quickly as I adjusted to the new edges. When I am on my flats, I glide like a dream. The advantages of the v-edge are (1) better gliding ability (2) better turning (more bite) and (3) less fatigue.
The v-edge is the first innovation in skate sharpening that has been developed in a long time. May be you are a traditionalist, and you want to stick to the tried and true, but you should step out and try this technique. It does not take off more steel than traditional sharpening. If you don’t like, you can easily switch back. It costs a few dollars more than traditional sharpening. I know that Dave’s Sports Shop in Fridley, Minnesota has the equipment. Tell them your skill level and they will help you choose the right cut ratio (I use the 90/75).
The Right Equipment
Skates
CCM U+ Ice Hockey Skates
CCM U+ Ice Hockey Skates - The CCM U+ skates use U Foam technology which powers the skates and provides the only true custom fit on the market. The U+ skates start with the player's foot and when heated take the foot's unique shape. The competition currently starts out with a preset shape and forces the payer's foot to fit into them. This equals a skate that fuses to each unique foot which for you means instant response, better energy transfer when skating, and overall better hockey play. You are looking at the next era of stronger and lightweight hockey skates. . Tongue: Lightweight Molded Felt, Liner: Ultima Dry, Recommended Use: Performance, Outsole: Lightweight Composite, Blade: Proformance Lite Stainless Steel--$599.99l.CCM U+ Ice Hockey Skates - The CCM U+ skates use U Foam technology which powers the skates and provides the only true custom fit on the market. The U+ skates start with the player's foot and when heated take the foot's unique shape. The competition currently starts out with a preset shape and forces the payer's foot to fit into them. This equals a skate that fuses to each unique foot which for you means instant response, better energy transfer when skating, and overall better hockey play. You are looking at the next era of stronger and lightweight hockey skates. . Tongue: Lightweight Molded Felt, Liner: Ultima Dry, Recommended Use: Performance, Outsole: Lightweight Composite, Blade: Proformance Lite Stainless Steel--$599.99.
Our Review. This is the Vector + U Skate made by CCM and it can be purchased at $599.99. Mark has this skate and says that it is the lightest and best hockey skate he has ever owned. Please note, if you can locate a CCM U+ 2009 model or the Pro reloaded CCM U+ skates, get them. They are basically the same skate but you can get them at a substantial discount. Go to Total Hockey via the link above and search for either of these skates. The featured skate is lighter and has some upgrades to it. Either way--these are the skates you want. If you are shocked by the price--don't be--good skates are expensive but think of the investment you are making in yourself. You will skate better and improve more quickly with these skates. If you go cheap--your improvement will be slow and you won't have as much fun. Believe us--we have gone the cheap route and thought we were doing fine until we bought a really decent pair of skates like these. Skates will last you for years--a pair of new blades is like $60.
Mark claims to be able to make turns and cuts that he previously could not do with other skates. A little caution here. It took him about half a season to break it in. Taking it to a pro shop to have it heated or put it in your own oven (not the microwave) to get a custom fit. This really accelerates the breaking in process.
The Bauer helmet combination provides you with excellent head protection, a nice cage with chin protection. Here are the features: Triple-density protection, EPP 1/2 liner system, PORON inserts, Ergo translucent ear covers, Tool-free adjustment, Slow memory comfort foam, floating pro ear loops, Microban antibacterial protection with a Dual-density chin cup with Thermo Max fabric lining.
Ice Jerseys.com has an incredible collection of professional and other replica jerseys including collegiate and national or "patriotic" jerseys. They ship free any where in Canada.