Vaughn is known for their impressive hockey goalie gear and their protective works of art can be seen on goaltenders of all ages and playing levels. Vaughn is one of the top manufacturers of goalie equipment in the world and can be seen on elite NHL goaltenders like Jonathan Quick, Tuukka Rask and Antti Niemi just to name a few. The newly released Vaughn Ventus line of goalie pads offer excellent protection and offer some unique features that are designed to maximize your goaltending game play.

Lets take a closer look.

The all new for 2013 Ventus LT leg pads come in three models, the Custom ProLT90, LT80 and LT60 junior goal pads.  The new Ventus butterfly leg pads feature a full flat front surface and a solid one piece outside roll that helps maintain the pads firm shape.  The new stylish Ventus graphics give the pad a taller, longer appearance to help trick the shooter. Internal foam core construction consists of multiple layers of foam densities and thicknesses in an arrangement that gives the pad a solid frontal blocking surface as well as firm edges for maximum net coverage. The new internal structure also allows the pads to twist and flex in crucial locations improving the performance and positioning of the pad. The internal construction gives the goaltenders added extension when in the butterfly position and allows faster pad rotation for improved net coverage. Vaughn’s internal knee cradle comes with an angled strap system that positions the straps below the bend of the knee creating less friction and improving comfort. The leg cradle-landing pad is shaped to encapsulate the leg and cushion the body when dropping down to the ice. The knee and leg cradles are designed to improve pad control and provide faster pad rotation and response times for more effective blocking positioning.

Vaughn fans will notice right away the similarities between the Vaughn Vision and the Vaughn Ventus catch gloves. Small tweaks have been made to the Ventus catcher including the new wider cuff design for improved chest and arm fit and allows improved mobility when handling the puck. Backhand protection now features a segmented design like the Velocity series for an easy closure and seamless protection. Loyal Vaughn goaltenders will have no problem transitioning to the new Ventus catcher, as the internal construction and feel are very similar to the Vision line.

The Ventus blocker might look similar to the Vaughn Vision blocker because of the board angle and side hand protection but in fact the internal components have been completely redesigned, improving protection and durability.  Active goaltenders that like to play puck will especially appreciate the new wider cuff opening that provides improved wrist mobility. Hand protection has been improved like the ergonomically shaped palm, constructed with Vaughn’s special MSH3 material that retains a grip when wet and will not become stiff over time. The palm is also padded to help reduce puck vibrations while providing more comfort through the game. Thumb and index finger protection have been reinforced to provide better protection and offer a wider opening for better stick handling.

Vaughn’s new VGS LT90 Ventus goal stick provides an exceptional feel and balanced design. According to Vaughn the goal stick has an average weight of only 690 grams. The paddle features a flat-faced profile design to more effectively make saves and add control over rebounds. The LT90 goal stick is constructed from pure carbon fiber composite and epoxy resins all layered in precise order to provide incredible durability, strength and stiffness. The entire goal stick is molded under high pressure and heat to ensure optimum performance and consistency throughout. The stick also features ribbed chambers in the paddle and blade that help reduce twisting and add stiffness when shooting the puck. The inner core of the paddle and blade are constructed with high impact foams to reduce and dampen vibrations and limit unwanted paddle flexing.

The Vaughn Ventus line of goalie equipment features all the necessary components and protective features to maximize the goaltending experience. Additional information on the new for 2013 Vaughn Ventus goalie gear is available at Inline and IceWarehouse.com.

If you watch hockey, no not youth and intermediate, but NHL hockey and more specifically the goalies and their goalie equipment then you’ve probably noticed quite a few goaltenders sporting the new CCM Extreme Flex gear. The new Extreme Flex goalie pads are designed to offer more flexibility then the Reebok Premier line as well as softer overall design. The CCM Extreme Flex gear is built for athletic goaltenders that make a majority of saves from quick reactive movements. The legendary Lefevre family developed the new CCM line of goalie equipment with the help from goaltender Carey Price, ensuring top-notch quality, materials and protection. CCM’s new line includes goalie masks, goalie gloves and blockers, leg pads and goalie sticks.

With over 2,600 hours of design, testing and engineering the Extreme Flex Pro pads are sure to be a hit. Lets take a closer look.

The Extreme Flex Pro Pads are designed to be softer than the P4 serieswith more internal support then Vaughn’s Velocity line. These pads come with stock internal breaks above and below the knee with outer roll flex options available on the pro model. The boot break is much softer and flatter than the Reebok P4 offering addition flex and rebound control down low. The Lefevres built the new Extreme Flex Pro pads practically from scratch using only the knee stack, straps and buckles from the P4 line. The tighter fit and softer face construction provide goaltenders with a more responsive pad with additional control over rebounds.

The Extreme Flex Pro Glove is the first time the Lefevres built a “baseball style” closure, using the tip of the index finger and thumb to close the glove instead of the full palm closure seen on more traditional style catchers. The internal construction, large open cuff design and adjustments ensure the catcher can be squared up to the shooter offering maximum net coverage. This glove comes with an extremely large pocket that helps with controlling rebounds.

The Extreme Flex Pro Blocker differs from the Reebok Premier 4 blocker in a few ways including the flared-open cuff design for improved mobility. The wide-open design provides added flex at the wrist improving rebound control and allows the goaltender to steer shots with improved precision. The hand position is located about an inch lower then the P4 blocker for excellent balance and feel. The new CCM Extreme blocker also has a sleek binding-less design along the outer edge that improves the overall durability.

CCM’s all new Extreme Flex line of goalie sticks provide an exceptional feel as well as improved durability. The CCM 500 features a fiberglass laminate wrapped aspen wood core handle and full graphite blade for added strength while providing long term durability and stability. The lightweight foam core reduces stick vibrations improving the overall feel. The CCM 500 delivers top of the line quality and performance and is constructed to Pro Specs allowing you to play like the pros.

The CCM Pro goalie mask is an authentic Lefevre design featuring a molded profile that allows the face to sit further to the front for improved peripheral vision. The new dual-density VN foam comfort liner and adjustable pro fit chin cup deliver a mask that feels weightless. The shell on the Pro goalie mask is constructed from a carbon and Kevlar composite shell with an extended back design for increased coverage and safety. The cage is constructed from titanium, ensuring top of the line quality that resists rust as and is super lightweight.

CCM’s new goalie equipment line is extremely impressive and offers tons of performance features that are sure to maximize your goaltending potential. Check out the full line of CCM goalie gear at Inline and Ice Warehouse.

Goaltending has sure come a long way since the early days of hockey. The sport is more demanding, physically challenging and technology has pushed even the best players to continue improving. The main objective of a goaltender is simple, stop any pucks from entering the goal, thus keeping the opposing team from scoring. As simple as that may sound, goaltenders are constantly evolving their playing styles to stay competitive during the game. Goalie equipment continues to improve over time, getting lighter and more protective. These days, goaltenders have various styles of equipment to choose from depending on their playing style.

Standup goaltending is the oldest style of goaltending and has lost major popularity over the years. Standup goalies would make a majority of their saves standing up with their leg pads together and stick on the ice. As the name implies Standup Goalies would rarely go down partially because the lack of protection, especially for your head. Standup goalies relied on their outstanding reflexes and positioning but were highly susceptible to shots down low and lateral saves. Standup goalies would use kick saves to stop low shots and rely heavily on stick saves.

Butterfly style goaltending is very common these days being very accepted throughout the game. Patrick Roy is probably the most notable Butterfly net minder of all time, perfecting the technique and winning four Stanley Cups throughout his career. A butterfly goalie plays with their feet apart and bent at the knees allowing them to drop down to the ice stopping any pucks down low. The advantage of the Butterfly style is mobility and the ability to cover the bottom of the net quickly and effectively. Positioning is key to this style of goaltending, ensuring maximum net coverage.

Photo Credit Sports Illustrated

Hybrid goaltending is a combination of styles, taking the best of both Standup and Butterfly. Dominik Hasek is well known for his Hybrid style of play, doing what ever it took to make the save.  In general most goalies play some sort of Hybrid style, capitalizing on ones own strengths and weaknesses.  These days it’s less common to see a goalie playing strictly Butterfly or Standup.

Battlefly is the newest way to categorize goaltenders like NHL Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Quick. Battlefly goalies basically use the same techniques as the Standup, Butterfly and Hybrid style goalies but blend them together, improving overall performance. One could say that Battlefly goaltenders go to battle, taking more of an aggressive offensive approach, challenging the shooter and doing what ever it takes to make the save.  Excellent skating ability, quick reflexes, extreme flexibility, and outstanding positioning allows the Battlefly goaltender to make incredible saves throughout the game.

Goaltenders are a breed of their own and even though many of the core techniques are similar no two are identical. The four playing styles listed above are a general outline and only through individual experience, strengths and weaknesses can a goalie master his or her own style.