CCM RBZ Skate

July 2013 will not only consist of fire works in the sky but also rockets strapped to your feet, because CCM will be revealing one of their most cutting-edge skates yet, the RBZ ice hockey skate! Now, if you’re the type of player that seeks advantageous technology, CCM definitely designed this skate to have a distinct look that sets it apart from others on the market by utilizing preferred high-end materials that make it very lightweight and rigid.

Composite Quarter Package

CCM is featuring their premier New Action Form Speed core composite quarter package, which provides pro level stiffness and impressive foot support. This technological feature maximizes foot reaction speed and allows players to explode through their turns.

Speedblade + 4.0 Holder

CCM assembled the Speedblade + 4.0 Holder for the RBZ skate, which adds a total of four millimeters of height off the ice (front and back of skate). This feature encompasses the concept that added height equals a more aggressive angle of attack; therefore, preventing players from bottoming out through turns. Additionally, players will notice supplementary strength and stability built within this holder through its Speed Ribs, which boosts performance in your transitioning game.

Hyperglide Runner

The Hyperglide runner has a gleaming aesthetic look that pops out on the ice. This runner is deemed stronger than traditional steel; therefore, players can attack their stride with full expansion. Furthermore, the runner allows better edging for players to glide with less friction for a more efficient energy transfer.

Hockey Specific Insoles

CCM has amplified customization with their new hockey specific arch support insoles, which offer three different foot elevation heights  (low, medium, and high arch). CCM insoles are precisely fabricated to provide enhanced reaction in the foot muscles for accelerated speed. In layman’s terms, these insoles are constructed with three separate layers that make-up its ideal composition: breathable fabric, memory foam, and shock absorption cushioning. When all three layers are combined, pressure is evenly redistributed for optimal responsiveness.

Pro-Injected Foam Tongue

Lastly, CCM’s pro-injected foam tongue prevents severe lace bite because of its high-density foams. This thick felt tongue is constructed into two pieces; therefore, players are able to tuck the tongue under their shin guard or after some break in time they can “flop out” with style.

July 2013 will launch skate engineering to a whole new level with CCM’s RBZ ice hockey skates at Ice Warehouse!

CCM RBZ Stage 2

8 months ago, CCM & Taylormade took the hockey world by storm with the introduction of the CCM RBZ and pretty soon we started seeing a lot of NHL players Strap a Rocket to the Puck (RBZ Tagline). For more information on that stick, check out the RBZ blog. It’s no surprise that the stick quickly grew in popularity and it didn’t take very long to see RBZs in nearly every locker room. Looking to build off the success of the RBZ, CCM & Taylormade will release the CCM RBZ Stage 2 in July . The Stage 2 has already seen NHL action with top players like Gabriel Landeskog of the Avalanche & Toronto’s Nazem Kadri. So let’s take a look at what CCM and Taylormade improved on with their second shot at the RBZ.

Graphics

Let’s start with the obvious: the graphics. While sporting a look similar to the original, the Stage 2 features more of a innovative look similar to the Bauer Supreme line. Though the general look remains the same, a dark upper half contrasted with the white bottom half, the Stage 2 features black on the top blade and lower portion of the shaft.

The design team did a great job with the color scheme of the Stage 2. A white lower half makes the stick difficult for a goalie to distinguish from the white ice and boards. The black on the top of the the lower shaft and blade allows the player to clearly see the stick with his or her peripherals while stick-handling with their head up.

New Technology

The original RBZ introduced Taylormade’s Speedblade technology, which is the main reason that the RBZ has that explosive pop. The Stage 2 perfects the original Speedblade by removing one of the speed channels, which does a couple of things. One, it decreases the weight, and second it increases the Coefficient of Restitution by 20%. I figure you all know what we mean by coe-something of retaliation, so we don’t have to go into the specifics. Essentially, that translates to more pop and a quicker release.

A second upgrade to the Stage 2 moved the balance point up higher in the shaft, called PowerSwing Technology. Thinking in golf terms: the less energy you expel lifting up your club, the more power you will have for the swing. Taylormade & CCM raised the balance point to make the bottom of the stick lighter, thus a faster swing for your clapper. 

Wrap-Up

As a big fan of the RBZ, I’m really looking forward to the Stage 2. The great pop, variable kick point and incredible feel will carry over and probably improve. One of the more exciting features of the Stage 2 is the fact that it will come in the non-grip option (the original RBZ only has the grip option)!

Now this stick will be available in August as well as the RBZ 100, the RBZ 80, and the RBZ 40. Be on the lookout for a second review after we get a chance to use the RBZ out on the ice. Check back over the next couple weeks because we’ll have sneak previews of the CCM RBZ Skate and the Reebok Ribcor!

These will be available at Ice Warehouse & Inline Warehouse in July.

Well, it’s that time of year when many of the big brands release their new sticks. CCM came out with the RBZ, Warrior dropped the Covert DT1, Easton releases the RS II on the 7^th, Bauer comes out with the TotalOne NXG on Sept. 17^th, and Reebok moves forward with the 20K on the 15^th. Let’s take a quick look at these new top-of-the-line sticks and the technology that sets them apart from the rest.

CCM RBZ:

CCM teamed up with TaylorMade to create the RBZ and specifically the SpeedBlade Technology for the blade that really launches the puck off like a rocket.  CCM and TaylorMade created the blade with a hollow design with 4 speed channels that run the length of the blade which gives incredible feel to go along with the light weight. All of this is wrapped up in high grade carbon fiber that makes it stiffer and creates a more accurate shot.Another feature that sets the RBZ apart from most sticks is the flex profile. CCM designed what they call the Power Swing which is a fine tuned weight and flex distribution technology that allows for a quicker swing with greater puck speed. The flex profile on the RBZ, similar to Bauer’s Intellisense technology, changes the flex point depending on where the hands are located and what kind of shot is taken.

(SPECS)

Warrior Covert DT1:

The DT1 is an extremely lightweight and balanced stick due to the True 1 piece construction with the highest grade carbon fiber tightly wrapped in an X stitch weave. The main technology of the DT1 is Warriors Dagger Taper (‘DT’ as in DT1). Now the Dagger Taper technology creates a taper that is thinner on the topside of the stick for maximum loading and wider on the bottom that allows for a more powerful, accurate shot. This technology also gives the DT1 a very low kick-point for quick release.In the recent past, the Warrior blade had some issues with durability, but the new blade on the DT1 comes through with a durable design.  For instance, Warrior is using the Hardcore X foam blade core which is very lightweight and 40& stronger and 60% more compression resistance than before. Warrior also utilizes Twinspar stringers and fibers used in bullet proof vests for reinforcement and increased toughness.

(Specs)

Easton RS II:

The second generation of the Stealth RS series features a similar shaft design to the 2011 Stealth RS: a Kevlar wrapped Compression molded shaft. Also similar to the previous model is the Elliptical Taper. The taper itself provides a low kick-point that results in quick and accurate shots. Another result of the Elliptical Taper is the added strength and rigidity to the blade.

The blade in the RS II is a significant improvement over the RS. Easton redesigned the blade to use a micro-bladder process that increases feel and consistency and greater mass in the impact zone to contribute more power to your shots. Easton also ribbed the length of the blade to give it more strength.

Bauer Supreme TotalOne NXG:

Similar to the previous years’ TotalOne stick, Bauer continued using the texturing carbon material that helped give it that incredible feel. Bauer also greatly improved the weight of the TotalOne and it will be the lightest stick available on the market. A feature new to the Supreme line is the eLASTech technology. Bauer used this technology on the Vapor APX stick, but not on any of the Supreme sticks until now. This technology will add life to the stick and add a pop to the stick that will LAST.

Another new feature TotalOne is a blade improvement. Added thickness in the throat of the blade increases stiffness to allow for more power and accuracy. Bauer uses the Dual-Density Blade Core and the eLASTech technology in the blade for an overall increase in durability, accuracy, power and pop.

Reebok 20K:

Reebok used their Pure Fiber™ technology which eliminates any added or unnecessary materials to decrease the weight and allow for the best possible energy transfer.  They also used the Dual Matrix II construction. This design angles the fibers at different directions for the forehand and the backhand to create tension when you’re loading the shot.  The 20K also features the lowest kick-point on the market today.

On to the blade. Reebok uses a brand new blade known as the AccuBlade. This blade becomes stiffer along the blade from the heel to the toe. This gives the player better puck control and unbelievable accuracy.

–So be on the lookout for these sticks in the NHL and also online at Inline & Ice Warehouse.