Manitoba based Parrott Ventures has just announced a new product to protect you feet called Spats.
Spats are a high density polyethylene shield that protects the top, and the inside of your foot. It won't protect your ankle, so you can't really call them ankle guards.
They attach through your laces, then once you've tied up your skate, you flip over it top of your skate, and attach it underneath with a strap. Video demos can be viewed on their website.
Spats sell for $50 and can be ordered online at spats.ca.
I've never tried or seen them, so if any of you have, please leave a review in the comments.
What separates the top-of-the-line X60 from the rest of the Vapor line is the Lightweight TeXtreme® construction which makes the stick super-light, and super-strong.
Like all Vapors sticks, the X60 comes with the Micro Feel shaft gives you a nice feel using double concave walls with rounded corners. The Stick'um coating provides extra grip.
The stick is tapered at the bottom towards the blade. Less stick at this point gives you the ability to snap your shop for a quicker release. Strength is made up in the blade with the Pure Shot profile, which is a thicker blade at the heel of the stick. The foam that makes up the inner blade construction called 'Aero Foam' helps you absorb the puck when receiving passes so the puck isn't bouncing around all over the place.
The Bauer X6o uses the Intelli-Sense Shot Technology wich adjusts the flex points in the stick depending on your hand placements on the stick.
Don Cherry seems to have a thing about ankle guards. If an NHL player wears them, Cherry will be the first to notice. 'The Don' seems to think they’re a good thing, and is surprised more players don’t wear them.
(Don Cherry is hockey commentator for CBC Sports in Canada)
This from the guy who’s famous quote on Visors:
“Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French Guys.”
caused an uproar in the hockey world and led to an investigation by the Canadian government and the decision to put Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay to allow statements deemed inappropriate to be censored. (Even though he was right.)
His latest ankle guard sighting was Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada.
He pointed out that Josh Gorges of the Canadiens was wearing a pair. They look a lot sleeker than the bulky ones I’ve seen for sale online. Does anyone know who makes them?
The only other NHL player I know wearing them is Chris Phillips. He uses them to protect his sore ankle that was wounded from blocking a shot that caused his foot to bleed.
Chris Pronger doesn’t wear ankle guards but he has modified his shin pads to help his feet stay somewhat healthy while he block shots.
"There is a piece of hard shin pad inside the pad to help aid in dispersing the shock of a shot to my foot. It has worked quite well over the years and has probably saved me a few times from breaking my foot. While it doesn’t stop the pain or the sting of a slapshot it definitely helps to protect."
Unlike Visors, ankle guards still haven’t made the big time. I doubt they ever will.
Montreal Canadiens players have recently been extolling the virtues of skate-boot guards and their ability to stop pucks
“I took a shot off the foot in the Washington game [Nov. 20] and it hurt pretty bad,” Travis Moen said in a recent interview. “That's when I decided to try them.”
“Them” refers to the moulded plastic skate guards he and a half-dozen other members of the Canadiens have taken to wearing in games.
“You still feel it when the puck hits you, it's just that it doesn't do as much damage,” Moen said. “They're pretty light and they don't really get in the way.”
Professional hockey teams are nothing if not adept at problem-solving. In the Canadiens' case, the squad has been beset by a rash of foot injuries this season. (Who knew the Habs dressing room was such a hazardous place for feet?)
“They're unbelievable, I've taken three or four pretty good shots off them and it didn't really hurt,” Spacek said. “Now I know I can just go for it and nothing too bad will happen to me.”
In the past two NHL seasons, Andrei Markov, Cam Ward , Teemu Salanne, Robert Lang and Joe Corvo, and most recently Kevin Bieksa (again) have all sustained serious cuts from skate blades.
In response, a Montreal company called Intelligent Apparel has designed 2 new protective sport socks: Tactics Armoured Skate Socks and Armoured Hockey Socks
“Our goal was to develop a skate sock that would perform and protect at the highest level of sport."
- Marshall Ferneyhough, director of sales for Intelligent Apparel.
Using Kevlar and two other technologically advanced fabrics available, Intelligent Apparel believes that Tactics Armoured Skate Socks are the most innovative foot sock in hockey today. Kevlar fabric provides 360° cut protection throughout the entire sock.
By knitting a Kevlar lining inside a sport-mesh polyester outer shell, Intelligent Apparel has created a cut-resistant hockey sock - the first of its kind. Vertical stretch and lateral compression characteristics combine to offer uninhibited mobility and a snug equipment fit. A polyester outer layer is sublimation ready for limitless graphic creativity.
I'm curious how light they are and how they breath compared to old-school socks. If I get ahold of a pair I'll let you know!
One of the most important stickhandlings basics is to always keep your head up. You've got to be able to be aware of what's happening around you on the ice without looking at the puck. If you're staring at the puck while stickhandling, you're likely to be checked by somebody you didn't even know was near you.
A second tip in stickhandling is to use 'soft hands'. What this means is to not grip the stick too tightly. Try to control the puck gently so you don't over handle it. Think of the puck as an egg, and try not to break the shell.
The shorter your stick, the easier it will be to bring your upper arm across your you body. Your stick should be around chin level when on skates, or nose level when off the ice.
When practicing your stickhandling, try to reach out as far as possible with the puck on both sides of your body. Try to use just your upper hand on your backhand side. This will help you when trying to maneuver around other players on the ice.
Breakouts are necessary to create the dangerous 2-on-1 plays. Mark Carlson, the USHL's Coach of the Year in 2004-05, covers the key breakout ingredients - quick, move the puck, timing, talking, read pressure and maintain puck support - in these hockey drills.
Details include getting to the puck quickly, check shoulder, not handling the puck, forwards in position and support of the puck. The defense drill uses only the defensemen in a 2-on-2 alignment.
The next drill involves one defenseman and one forward and can be run out of both ends. The Mohawk Turn is a skill used in this drill where the player's chest is facing middle rink, ready to receive a pass.
Breakout options include adding two defensemen with two forwards at both ends. Other drills focus on support and positioning, reading pressure in the neutral zone and reading pressure in breakouts. These hockey drills are fundamental in nature and rely on many small details to assure execution.
