Easton Stealth S17 Skates
July 30, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Equipment
I recently finished six ice sessions with the Easton Stealth S17 Skates and for a company known more for it’s composite hockey stick technology, they have started to develop some very nice skates.
Initial Impressions
The first thing that I noticed, after the very lightweight (less than 700 grams), when trying on the Stealth S17 skates was the fact that it fit very nicely around my heel and Achilles tendon.
I have a narrow heel and ankle, so this is normally an issue for me with brands. I was intrigued by this feature, which Easton calls the “Stealth Padlock”, which does exactly as it promises – it locks the heel down to avoid slippage which maintains power through the stride.
Another component that struck me soon after wearing the S17 skates were the removable heel lifts. For those of you who have never had heel lifts, they take a bit of getting used to but many players use them for increased agility and acceleration as they literally keep you on your toes! I haven’t used heel lifts in quite a few years, so I removed them after the first ice session.
Stealth S17 Composite Boot Structure
The S17 boot is constructed of a texalium/carbon fiber composite that provides a very stiff boot, while maintaining an extremely light weight. Further update on the durability of the boot will be completed as I wear the skates more frequently. After the initial few ice times, the boot was responsive, solid and the Dryflow technology (an air vent in the bottom of the boot) worked well – especially when I removed the insoles following the ice session.
With the composite boot, I really suggest that you get these skates heat molded for a more custom fit. The heat molding or “baking” will really help with comfort and breaking in the skates. The Stealth S17 skates come with instructions for heat molding the skates. The instructions read: 4 minutes at 200 F.
*I recommend taking these skates to your local hockey shop for heat molding. The last thing you want to do is compromise the integrity of the boot on such a high quality skate.
Other Relevant Features:
- The white felt tongue is flexible and thin, but provides very good lace-bite protection with reinforced leather and nylon mesh down the front center of the tongue.
- The inner boot features a brushed liner that is comfortable and has a very smooth feel. ( I wear bare feet in my skates)
- I was very interested to find that the Rubber-covered toecap was more durable than I expected. Even after just 6 ice sessions I expected a few nicks and cuts. As of now, it still looks like new.
- The RazorBladzII Blade Holder feels no different than the Lightspeed2, but I have had problems with the LS2 breaking from puck impact. I will keep this review updated with regard to the durability of the blade holder.
- Of note is that the manufacturer recommends 1 sizes smaller than your shoe size. I am wearing a half size larger in the Easton Stealth than I wear in Bauer and RBK/CCM Skates.
Durability Update March 3, 2010:
After more than 40 ice session I continue to be surprised at the durability of these skates. The rubber toe cap is still in fantastic condition and the integrity of the boot is still solid. The blade holder has not let me down as yet. There is not much more than a couple of scratches thus far. I have had almost half a dozen Tuuk bladeholders break over the year and RazorBladzII has been no less durable.
The tongue and tendon guard have not wilted as they do with some other skates and I can’t say enough about the venting in the bottom of the boot… it really helps the skates dry out quickly!
Buy Easton Stealth S17 Skates
You can purchase your Stealth S17 Skates online from Total Hockey and get Free Shipping!
If you have any additional questions or if you have comments on your use of the Stealth S17 Skates, please feel free to leave a comment.
Niklas Kronwall Hits Martin Havlat
July 21, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Videos
UPDATE: With the recent hoopla surrounding Martin Havlat and the Chicago Blackhawks, I thought it appropriate to show some evidence as to why the Blackhawks might have opted to sign Marian Hossa instead of Havlat. Havlat has a history of injuries and this concussion received from Niklas Kronwall could have future consequences. In fact, while both players are relatively 1pt/game producers – Hossa has played 380 games over the past four seasons and havlat has played jut 190.
Niklas Kronwall laid a huge hit on Martin Havlat in Game 3 of the Western Conference final. Havlat was knocked unconscious momentarily as Kronwall stepped up from his blueline position to hit Havlat as he turned to exit the zone on the wing. Havlat did not return to the game.
Watching the review several times, you can see that Havlat did have the puck in his skates, did have his head down and Kronwall did, as all defensemen are taught from day 1 – stepped up and hit the winger exiting the zone with his head down.
Here is the video evidence.
The officials initially made no call on the play, but after consultation with the linesmen issued Kronwall a 2 minute minor, 5 minute major and a game misconduct for…interference.
Here is the portion of Rule 59 interference that refers to possession of the puck, which is the only way that this play could have been called under this section of the official rules.
Rule 59 – Interference- Possession of the Puck:
The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession.
Some folks may argue that this could be considered charging. By the working definition, charging is usually called when the attacking player leaves his feet, but the official defintion in the rule book leaves the officals wide open to call a charge on almost any hit!
Here is the “official” definition of Rule 43- Charging:
43.1 Charging – A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.
Charging shall mean the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A “charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.
Now if that doesn’t leave the interpretation of a call wide open for the officials, I don’t know what does! I’m not suggesting removing the rule from the book, but it certainly needs to be more well defined.
The NHL officiating saga in the playoffs continues as the inconsistencies abound from both on and off ice officials.
NHL Digest Podcast 1
July 20, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under NHL Business
The following is the first podcast attempt for NHL Digest. It runs very short at just 3 minutes long and covers the recent Hockey News article outlining the Top 10 American Born hockey players.
Comments and suggestions are appreciated. I especially hope you enjoy my cheesy intro!
Joe Sakic Top 10 Moments Video
July 11, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Videos
Given Sakic’s retirement last Thursday, it is only appropriate to show a video of the top 10 Joe Sakic Moments as produced by The Sports Network.
Sakic is truly a classy individual and one of the most revered and respected player to play in the National Hockey League. Often referred to by the media as “Quoteless Joe”, he said all he needed to on the ice. [Faceoff.com]
He was “Quoteless Joe,” as Sakic jokingly called himself over and over at his retirement Thursday. He let his play do the talking for him for two decades, and arguably nobody ever had the combination of speed and hands. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, big Jean Beliveau and Steve Yzerman had the hands. Mark Messier had the speed, but Sakic’s patented play where he would roar down the right side, a left-handed shooter, and effortlessly slide around a flailing defenceman, then whip that wrister under the crossbar, was a thing of beauty.
Enjoy the video!
Joe Sakic and Claude Lemieux Retirement Thoughts
July 9, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Links
The following is a compilation of links gathered on the NHL Digest Twitter feed today. If you want to see these stories and much more in real time, please follow NHL Digest at www.twitter.com/nhldigest.
Claude Lemieux and the Hall of Fame
Should Claude Lemieux make the hockey hall of fame? Is 4 Cups and a Conn Smythe enough? http://ff.im/-519vo
RT @joereiter Claude wasn’t an elite player. Butch Goring has 4 cups 1 Conn Smythe and 100 more points in his career and isn’t a Hall Of Fame player.
Your Thoughts:
What are your thoughts on inducting Claude Lemieux into the Hockey Hall of Fame? Is he worthy, or not?
The Joe Sakic Retirement Press Conference
A touching moment from Avalanche fan @voteforgrant “Get your hankies ready… Sakic’s announcement starts in less than 10 minutes.”
We talked a lot about Joe Sakic Statistics yesterday, but one we didn’t mention was that Joe Sakic ended his career at +30 after registering a combined -102 over his first 3 seasons in Quebec.
ESPN is known for giving hockey the cold shoulder so @TheProspectpark said “STOP THE PRESSES ESPNews just did 15 seconds on Sakic’s retirement”
A great link from @MileHighHockey : Joe Sakic Retirement Press Conference Thread (Plus lots of Sakic related links) http://sbnation.com/e/707553
A touching comment by Gary Bettman quoted from the retirement ceremony by @voteforgrant : Bettman on Sakic-”While the ‘C’ on his jersey stood for captain, it also stood for courage, character, class, Canada & Colorado.”
Your Thoughts:
Speaking of the Hall of Fame – Do you think there is any chance that Joe Sakic gets inducted before the mandatory waiting period?
Free Agency Links
Globe and Mail staffer @mirtle “Doug Wilson announced today that the Sharks have re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Kent Huskins to a two-year contract”
According to Sportsnet, the Maple Leafs have lured the Swedish teammate of Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, Rickard Wallin http://ff.im/-51NPH
@kyleroussel heard this quote referencing the Canadiens decision to let go of their Captain Saku Koivu (who signed with Anaheim) on the radio and decided to share:
Mark Recchi live on @theteam990 : “I’d take Saku Koivu on my team over Scott Gomez any day, and that’s not to knock Gomez”.
LegendsofHockey.net chronicles each player’s day with the Stanley Cup over the summer months. @Sean_Leahy linked us up to Phillippe Boucher’s day with the Stanley Cup http://bit.ly/5Rz6J
I won a book today from @hockeyplayermag and they say they’ve got more giveaways coming. Follow them on Twitter if you want to win some cool hockey prizes.
Joe Sakic Versus Steve Yzerman
July 8, 2009 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Columns
The following is a compilation of hockey links from the NHL Digest Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/nhldigest. I’ve added some additional comments around these links. I hope you enjoy them!
Joe Sakic’s Retirement
With Joe Sakic expected to officially retire on Thursday, Adrian Dater wants to know who was better – Sakic or Yzerman? http://ff.im/-4Yxzr
That’s a tough call. Both had the intangible qualities of leadership and both are certainly in the best class of people both on and off the ice.
Adrian outlines some statistics in his article- They are eerily similar!
Stanley Cups Yzerman 3, Sakic 2.
Career pointsYzerman 1,755, Sakic 1,641.
Career playoff points: Sakic 188, Yzerman 185.
Postseason goals: Sakic 84, Yzerman 70.
Conn Smythe trophies: Sakic 1, Yzerman 1.
Olympic MVP awards: Sakic 1, Yzerman 0.
Sakic’s retirement and the turnover rate of Avalanche coaches got me thinking. How cool would it be if Joe Sakic pulled a “Gerry Cheevers” becoming the team’s coach the following season after his retirement?
According to @weeklyslapshot the name even (kinda) works: “Easy to confuse Joe Sakic with Joe Sacco… LOL”
Both players were very influential to me as a young hockey player and their careers so close statistically, it comes down to just Stanley Cups. That said, if I had to choose, I choose Steve Yzerman.
Free Agent Signings
@dchesnokov reported that former Detroit Red Wing and free agent, Jiri Hudler, will play for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL (per Sovetsky Sport).
Kuklas Korner had a translation of Hudler speaking on why he signed in Moscow http://ff.im/-4YxWa
The article at Kuklas Korner has some great speculation as to the actual advantages to this signing for the Detroit Red Wings. In particular, Detroit doesn’t have to give up anything in the form of money or draft picks and they retain Hudler’s NHL rights. It is possible that when Detroit clears some salary cap space, in a year or two, that Hudler could be lured back to the Red Wings.
The Anaheim Ducks have signed Saku Koivu to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. via TSN http://ff.im/-4XYB4
There was much speculation that Koivu would go to Anaheim to play with Teemu Selanne for one season prior to Selanne’s retirement. That speculation came true and Koivu stated for the record that Selanne did influence his decision to join the Ducks.
According to @TBLightning http://twitpic.com/9pn47 – The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms with former Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster.
More Hockey Links
RT @BladeTape Gillian Ferrari & Jayna Hefford have signed with BladeTape for the ‘09-’10 hockey season! 2 of the best female players around!
Does anyone know of any certified medical doctors that have played in the NHL other than Randy Gregg?
Wednesday was also useless NHL Trivia day over at the NHL Digest Facebook page – check it out! http://bit.ly/a7LfI
