IW Hockey Blog

CCM U+ CL Ice Hockey Skate

CCM has re-amped and redesigned the U+ skates for the up coming season. Just in time for the holidays CCM will be releasing the new CCM U+ CL ice hockey skates.  One of the changes CCM has implemented is the fit of the U+ Crazy Light skates. CCM has increased the overall step in comfort of the skates by adding foams in the ankle and heel for a tighter heel pocket. Along with giving the forefoot a more relaxed fit. CCM has also added some embossments in the quarter panels to help enhance the step in comfort.  Before the higher level CCM skates were know for being very straight and vertical in the quarters, so these changes should really help improve that initial step-in comfort.

CCM has continued to use the U foam through out the quarter package, and added U foam in a couple of new places on the skate to give an improved 360 degree fit.  CCM has added the U foam in the tongue along with in the footbed, allowing for more custom molding in those areas.

This year CCM is also introducing the exhaust system made up by the tongue, footbed and outsole to function together as one  ”moisture exhaust system”.  This system will help keep the foot and boot dryer, improving the fit and keeping the skate light even late in the 3rd period.

CCM is also manufacturing the U+ CL skates in Canada, which should help ensure some great quality.  All and all looks like CCM has made some nice improvements to taking the U+ skates to the next level.

In regards to hockey equipement a lot of what gear is the best always comes down to personal preference. All the major manufacturers are doing a great job at offering the different level price point pads, and making good equipment. However, especially on youtube many people ask for our opinion on what equipment is better (side note: we definitely appreciate all of the input and contributions on our youtube, facebook, and message board…if you contribute, thank you, and keep it up).

So based on this, I plan to post some blogs based strictly on personal opinion and let you guys know what equipment I or whoever is posting is excited about.

Starting it off, let’s talk about shoulder pads. I have been really impressed with the progression of shoulder pads. There are several companies that are doing excellent job on offering great protection without limiting mobility. Mobility has always been a key issue for me when selecting shoulder pads. This is probably the biggest selling point for me, and the first thing I look at. So there is no surprise that the pads I have selected are all pads that offer great mobility and still an advanced level of protection.

Easton earlier this year came out with the S19 shoulder pads. The S19 have a very lightweight feel that does not feel binding at all. I particularly like the three panel design with the perforated thin outer panels. Easton has also given the S19 shoulder pads a good size cut out between the arm and sternum. This allows for improved mobility especially crossing your arms across your body which happens often when stick handling.

Easton Stealth S19 Shoulder pads

Next up is the Warrior Projekt Shoulder pads. Warrior introduced the Projekt line a little while ago and I have been impressed by this line. I think it was a great contribution to the Warrior protective line. The Projekt has focused on the use of Zote foam to make the pads very light, and the Projekt Shoulder pads has done just that. The Zote foam works great for hockey equipment becuase it is light absorbs a ton of energy and in my opinion best of all it is not rigid.  Warrior has used almost a mesh like vest with their top of the line liner on the inside as the base of this pad with the protective pieces attached.  This base has given the pad a light airy feel. I also really like it when shoulder pads feature segmented bicep guards. This pad like all of the other pads I have chosen have segmented biceps, which allows for better arm movement and does not compromise protection.

Warrior Projekt Shoulder Pads

Finally, maybe my number one pick is the Bauer Vapor X60 shoulder pad. In my opinion there is a huge jump from the X40 to the X60 shoulder pad. The X60 offers exceptional mobility but definitely offers an advanced to pro level protection. It has a significant size and pad coverage leading one to think it will feel bulky or heavy.  Although, once you put it on you almost feel foolish for expecting that of this pad. Bauer has used several segmented panels that are allowed to over lap and move past each other ensuring great mobility and protection. A couple of the unique design features are the elastic lacing system inside the pad to determine how tight the chest panels are. This allows one to make the pad a little looser yet having the side fastened, which I prefer.  Another unique feature is the design of the shoulder cap and clavicle. Similar to the bicep guard they are designed to allow them to overlap allowing for arm movement without pushing the clavicle guard into your neck.

Bauer Vapor X60 Shoulder Pads

So there it is. I hope if you were looking on an opinion on shoulder pads you have what you need. Be sure to check out the rest of the shoulder pads on IceWarehouse.com.  There are plenty more excellent pads that did not make the list today, but might make yours.

Well we are over half way through the 2010 playoffs.  So far they have been packed with all sorts of excitement, and several David over Goliath victories…So I decided to break down what sticks the top goal scorers of the playoffs have been using.

Pavelski using an Easton S19

To start it out we have Joe Pavelski. Many did not expect to see him among the upper goal scorers of the playoffs, despite his foreshadowing play during the olympics. Pav is leading the way with goals on the Sharks.  Netting even more goals than giants like, Heatley, and Marleau.  Pavelski, as you can see is using an Easton S19 stick, which matches he’s play perfectly.  The Easton S19 has an excellent quick and snappy shot release, but can also deliver deadly one-timers, as Pav has shown.

Cammalleri using an Easton SE16 stick

Next up we have Mike Cammalleri. Mike is also using an Easton stick, however he is using the slightly older but still very popular Easton SE16 stick.  Cammalleri excels in the quick give n’ go style play, and the Easton SE16 works great with this. Easton has designed the SE16 to be the “ultimate feel” stick in their line, perfect for touch passes, and one-timers.  The great feel helps give confidence when receiving passes to make that quick play on point.

Toews using a Warrior Dolomite Spyne DD stick

Here we have a nice visible shot of Toews stick, a Warrior Dolomite Spyne DD.  A fairly new stick that came out around mid-season this year.  The Dolo Spyne has a great feel, nice rounded corners and concave walls. The Dolo Spyne features a mid flex point to load more energy into the stick, and a slightly stiffer feel than the Dolo DD stick.  As Toews has shown the Dolo Spyne DD is a great all around stick from slappers to wrist shots.

Briere using a Bauer Supreme One95 stick

Finally, we have Daniel Briere, here meeting a line of fans in Boston.  Briere definitely seems to step it up in the playoff, and this year he has been doing just that.  If you need evidence, just take a quick look at the second round series against Boston. Where Briere and the Flyers pull off one of the greatest comebacks in recent hockey history. Briere is shown here with what looks to be a Bauer Supreme One95 stick. One95 is a great stick, that has seen a fair share of use in the NHL.  The one95 stick offers a mid-flex point for loading maximum energy. Great for one-timers and slap shots, but as Briere has shown it can handle whatever you through at it.

As we have seen there are plenty of players stepping up their game these playoffs, and the same can be said about the stick manufacturers lately. With quality sticks coming from several companies. It is just a matter of finding what stick fits you the best, not what is the best stick.

Bauer has just announced the Vapor X60 Limited Edition will be coming out next month…and it looks dope.  They have taken the look of the non-grip version of the X60 stick darkened it a little and added some smoke like blue graphics giving the stick a great look.

The Bauer X:60 LE stick will have the same construction and materials as the standard X60 stick, only difference being graphics and instead of a stick’um coating or traditional gloss smooth coating, Bauer has used a smooth matte finish. Great choice in my opinion.

Check out the site for more info about the stick and its availability.

Bauer Vapor X60 LE hockey stick

Bauer has introduced there new X60 glove. Images of the X60 have been floating around for a little while, but I was finally able to get my hands actually on a pair to do a quick review.

Bauer Vapor X60 Glove

The Bauer X60 glove is the top of line glove under the Vapor name. Bauer has focused on making the Vapor line the tapered glove line. It is more form fitting than a traditional glove but not as tight as the Supreme line. I think this glove feels slightly snugger than last years XXXX glove. Although, it does a nice job at opening up in the cuff, so wrist mobility should be no problem.

Bauer has used a very unique palm construction. They are using a lycra base layer that offers a great flexible feel, that requires hardly any break-in. Bauer has also added a composite pad in the lower palm portion. This offers great durability in the high wear area but also absorbs vibrations to get you a solid grip.

Check out the video review for more information, and be sure to check out icewarehouse.com and inlinewarehouse.com for more specs on the glove.

Bauer 9900 Helmet

Bauer has released their latest and greatest hockey helmet the Bauer 9900 helmet. Bauer has taken the design of the 9500 and brought it to the next level. Although, the shell remains the same Bauer has re-worked the inside offering a great new fit. The 9900 offers a deeper fit than the previous 9500 helmet.

Bauer has also introduced a new type of material they are calling PORON® XRD foam which is used at two spots on each side of the head in the high-impact area. This material is extremely light, breathable, and flexible making it perfect for hockey. According to Bauer the PORON® foam dissipates more than 90% of force on impacts.  This material is used along with FXPP foam, and slow memory comfort foam. The FXPP foam dissipates 20% less energy than standard EPP foams. The slow memory foam offer a great comfortable fit. Basically they have your comfort and protection covered with the combination of these high-end foams.

We just got back from the Let’s Play Hockey show in St. Paul, MN.  Great to see all of the enthusiasm for hockey surrounding the event. The show also coincided with the Minnesota high school state championships.  Congrats to the Edina high school team that walked away with the title, and every team that played in the tournament. A lot of great players took the ice, and the excitement in the arena showed it.

I was lucky enough to grab some interviews with the Bauer and Easton product managers. So be sure to look out for those down road.  It was great to see the lines from all of the companies that were at the show (Warrior, Reebok, CCM, ect.) Looks like it is going to be an exciting year, a lot of great equipment coming out.

Warrior Hockey Product Manager Keith Perera came by IW the other day to talk about the new Warrior hockey gloves.  They have basically developed three great glove lines all with a slightly different fit, helping to appeal to different players.  Personally, the Franchise and other gloves in the four roll based line are my favorite.  

Check out the video below for some back ground information on all the Warrior gloves, and a little help deciding what Warrior glove is going to be best for you.

New Reebok 11K Ice Hockey Skate

Reebok has just came out with their new top of the line skate, the Reebok 11K ice hockey skate. Many have probably seen glimpses of the 11k on the likes of Datsyuk, and Crosby. 

Reebok has made several changes to the 2010 11K, however the overall design has stayed very similar to the previous years 9K skate. Reebok has introduced a new quarter panel material for the 11K skate called Pro Armour IV.  This is a combination of materials designed to offer a lightweight, durable, abrasion resistant outer, and great responsive flex.  I weighed the 11K, here at our warehouse at 856 grams for one 9D skate.  Definitely one of the lighter skates on the market, weighing in pretty close to last years 9K.

Reebok has also redesigned The Pump™ on this years skate line.  The Pump™ still features the same performance but now with a sleeker look.  The actual pump and release do not stick out as much and are easier to access.  Reebok has continued to use the Lace Lock feature to add to the customized fit.

The 11K skate also features a new hybrid tongue.  This is a combination of foam and traditional white felt.  The hybrid tongue offers a great pre-molded fit, along with a lace bite guard that allows for forward flex.  Reebok has also given the 11K ice skate a new liner using a combination of Clarino and Nash leather, offering moisture wicking and a locked in feel.  The Nash leather is down the back of the skate, helping increase durability as well.

The 11K skate is not as stiff as some of the competitors top of the line skates, but it offers a nice wrap around the ankle, and the combination of the lace lock and Pump you can lock it down pretty good.  According to Reebok the skate will also be available in a new width.  It will be a D in the forefoot and narrow in the heel, offering a different fit.  Having a slightly narrow foot I’m interested in checking out this new size.

Warrior is getting ready to unleash the new and improved Franchise glove to world.  The Franchise glove has always had a strong following since its MIA birth, but this year they have taken it one step further.

The new Franchise gloves has some great new features that have me seriously considering hanging up last years for the new model.  Starting on the exterior Warrior has used a combination of materials rather than just the carbon print PU.  The Franchise now features a fair amount of the TufTex nylon material.  This is a great material, exceptionally durable, lightweight, and does not hold water, so you don’t need to worry about it gaining weight during the game.  Warrior Franchise also has some high-grade synthetic leather and some of the carbon print synthetics down the middle of the glove.

Warrior mentioned that many of their NHL players were requesting more wrist mobility out of their personal versions of the Franchise gloves.  So they decided to give the retail glove a flared-out cuff for increased wrist mobility.  This is most noticeable on the inner wrist side, and makes a huge impact. It definitely offers more wrist mobility compared to last years Franchise.  Warrior also decide to increase the cuff roll a little bit making it look like it has a shorter cuff, however, the cuff is not actually smaller it just looks and feels like it. You get the same protection but now with increased wrist mobility.

Personally, I think an entire TufTek exterior would be unbelievably sweet, so Warrior does make this glove completely customizable.  So for those that are willing to make the additional investment, IW can set you up with a customized Franchise, from exterior, protection, colors, numbers, and so forth.