New Foot Protection

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.

NHL Pros Still Not Wearing Ankle Guards

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?

On a post back in Feb 08 I wondered if ankle guards might be a good idea. I still haven’t met anyone who actually wares 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.

Plastic Ankle Guards

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.”

Read more about Plastic Ankle Guards for Hockey Skates