Fur Hockey Gloves…Yes I Said Fur!

As part of our worst hockey equipment ever made series, we present to you a pair of fur hockey gloves!

We are not sure what inspired these gloves, manufactured by a company called Rinky, but they certainly deserve recognition as part of our worst hockey equipment series.

They apparently retail for about $39.99 and are geared toward female hockey players.

Coming in as a close second to the fur gloves are these pink gloves made by Eagle.

Shock Doctor Ultra STC Mouthguard

Over the past couple of weeks I have been using the Shock Doctor Ultra STC mouthguard during my hockey games.

Fitting the Ultra STC is very easy and similar to fitting other ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards.  The entire process takes just minutes and the result is as good a fit as you will get from any mouth guard that has not been fitted by a dental professional.  One word of caution when fitting the Ultra STC is that you MUST follow the directions for leaving the mouthguard in the boiling water for at least 90 seconds.

I made the mistake of taking it out too soon when I saw the edges soften and the fit was not as snug as I would have liked.  That said, I put the mouthguard back into the boiling water and re-fitted it after leaving it in for just over two minutes and it formed to my mouth much better.  I can’t help but think, however, that if I performed the initial fitting correctly it would have  resulted in an  even better fit.

In addition, it is important to fit the mouthguard correctly because Shock Doctor offers a warranty for the user of the mouthguard if fitted correctly according to the instructions.  This is a limited warranty that covers some dental work that may not be covered from your regular insurance.

Ultra STC Mouthguard Features

The most noticeable aspect of the Ultra STC versus other mouth guards is the pad on the bottom side of the guard that rests against the bottom teeth.  These Air Cushion Shock Pads re thick enough to help cushion the blow between the teeth, but not so thick that it is uncomfortable or restricts breathing.

The Ultra STC features what is called Mora Performance Enhancement. According to the theory, when fitted and worn correctly, it positions the lower jaw down and forward and the tongue up onto the roof of the mouth, which may increase strength and athletic performance.  It is very difficult to measure and notice for the average player, but if you play frequently at a high level, it may be more noticeable.

To be honest, I have never been a fan of mouthguards, but I have been using a custom fitted mouth guard that I had made at my dentists office.  The Ultra STC is, obviously, not as form fitting as my custom model, but it cost about 3X as much as the Ultra STC.

According to Dr. Robert Cantu, a widely recognized expert, there is no evidence that custom fitted mouthguards offer more protection than ‘Boil and Bite’ versions.

“There are no statistics to suggest that custom-fit mouth guards are better than boil and bite mouth guards” Dr. Cantu said. “There is a higher level of comfort with custom-fit but not more protection.”

For youth players who play many times per week, I highly suggest getting a custom fitted mouthguard as the more comfortable it is, the more likely they are.  However, for adults who don’t play frequently, I certainly think the Shock Doctor STC deserves some serious consideration.

The Ultra STC is available from Total Hockey.net for $22.99 or directly from Shock Doctor.com for $24.99.

Cascade M11 Helmet – The Messier Project

Mark Messier has teamed up with Cascade to launch the newly designed Cascade M11 Helmet.  The helmet uses the same Seven technology as the previous Cascade CHX helmet (which we talked about back in 2007).  However, the largest drawback of the CHX was that it wasn’t  a very stylish helmet.

The Cascade Seven technology uses “lateral displacement technology” to provide the protection of two helmets in one. The theory is that the M11 helmet protects equally as well against concussions as it does against catastrophic hits.

From CHX to M11:  The Re-design and Re-launch of the Cascade Helmet

Messier was brought on board by Cascade as an adviser to assist in upgrading the areas where the CHX lagged and to make a more desirable helmet by player standards. He brought his knowledge of player expectations to the table and provided Cascade with a design that would be more acceptable to players by addressing style, comfort, weight and ventilation.

We knew about Cascade and the major advancements they had made with the CHX helmet over two years ago.  However, even technology with the potential to save careers and possibly lives,  needs the proper promotion.

That said, the following video outlining the new promotional campaign and showcasing the newly designed M11 helmet was just released.

Credibility is Key

As Messier commented on a conference call yesterday:  “The helmet needs players in the NHL to wear it in order to obtain credibility as a product”.

According to Messier, we can expect to see more than 5 NHL players using the Cascade M11 helmet in the 2009-2010 season and it is possible that we may see the entire NCAA Harvard University hockey team wearing the M11 helmet as well.

The projected release date for the M11 helmet is sometime this fall (2009) and the price point for the helmet is expected to be $119.99 USD without a cage.

Messier’s Involvement with Cascade Sports

Messier now sits on the Cascade board of directors and acts as a liaison to hockey organizations, helping to promote the M11 helmet and educate hockey players on the effects of concussions as part of The Messier Project.

Mark’s sister, Mary Kay, is the Vice President of Business Development for Cascade and also Mark’s manager. She reported to CBC back in March about the upcoming promotional campaign for the new Cascade helmet (A.K.A Messier Project ) – although we didn’t know the name of the project at the time.

Shock Doctor Power Dry Hockey Bag

The folks at Shock Doctor have officially revolutionized the hockey bag business!

Over the past several weeks, I have been using the Shock Doctor Power Dry hockey bag.

Admittedly, I was a skeptic of this technology at first.

However,the Power Dry bag provides a great method of carrying (complete with wheels) and protecting your equipment, while including a system to dry, deodorize and keep your gear fresh.

The Shock Doctor bag accomplishes this through a patented airflow technology that combines the bag with a blower system (sold separately). The system provides not only controlled heat and airflow throughout the bag, but also utilizes ozone technology to deodorize the equipment at the same time.

Cool stuff… but does it really work?

How Ozone Works

Ozone is a natural substance that kills growth such as bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungus from sporting equipment. Once you place your equipment in the system, the ozone is released and attaches to airborne and surface contaminants. It destroys them and then reverts to pure oxygen. Ozone oxidizes impurities in the air, which destroys mildew and mold.

Other Uses For Power Dry Technology

In addition to being able to quickly dry and deodorize your equipment in the bag, there are very cool attachments (sold separately) that allow you to dry your skates, gloves, helmet etc. outside of the bag using the Power Dry Octopus Attachment.

The Octopus attachment (seen on the right) will also come in very useful for drying those winter boots and gloves that get wet from use in rain or snow.

To Buy or Not To Buy

While this technology may seem unnecessary to some, it is certainly very convenient for tournaments to quickly dry equipment between games and for those who may not have warm space to dry equipment without stinking up the entire house between games!

The Shock Doctor Power Dry system is certainly technology that provides value and does what it says it will do.  The Large bag is necessary for a full set of adult hockey equipment and the drying/deodorizing process can take a couple of hours. If you’re worried about the noise of the blower, don’t be. That was a concern of mine too and it is honestly much quieter than a hair dryer.

That said, the versatility of the Power Dry system to work for other sports gear as well as household uses makes it more valuable than just a “Hockey Bag”.

The Power Dry System can be purchased on Shockdoctor.com for $200.00 (including bag and blower) or the bag can be purchased separatley from Total Hockey for $79.99. Click here now to go to TotalHockey.net

Bauer One 95 Stick

One of the most used sticks in the National Hockey League today is the new Bauer One95.  As the 2008-2009 Season wears on, more and more Nike Bauer sponsored players are switching from the Vapor XXXX and the One90 sticks to the new Bauer One95 stick.

One95 Specifications

The new Supreme One95 is designed with the powerful player in mind.  The stick is very rigid in the lower third of the shaft and can withstand substantial loading. The Monocomp technology helps to optimize weight and balance by reducing the need for additional composite at the joints, without sacrificing the integrity and strength of the stick.

The rigidity of the lower portion of the shaft on the One95 offers a low-mid flex, developing additional

energy transfer and increased velocity – especially using the Slapshot. Reduced torsion is accomplished by using the .520 Power Taper that also helps to enable the loading of the stick.

The feel and aesthetics of the stick are highly advanced from the One90 as well.  The One95 offers a matte black finish with detailed, but subdued graphics along a double concave shaft to enhance grip and feel.  An advanced tactile texture also offers a 10 gram reduction in overall weight versus comparable sticks.

Buying The One95 Stick

The One95 retails for $219.00, but can be found for well under $200.00 online at Total Hockey.net.

Total Hockey also offers free shipping on all orders over $99.00!

Online Hockey Store Review

In this day and age, the advent of the internet and online stores has given us access to the best prices on high quality hockey equipment and collectibles throughout the world. More and more people are seeking out online stores for their new hockey equipment purchases as they become more familiar and comfortable with purchasing online.

If you are looking to buy hockey equipment or memorabilia online, the following are a great collection of stores and sites to find exactly what you are looking for at great prices.

Hockey Equipment

Hockey Deals – Hockey Deals has a great selection of the latest equipment available. Hockey Deals features especially great deals on the new blade replacement technology Thermablades as well as the most technologically advanced skate on the market, the Kor Shift 2.

Hockey Giant – Hockey Giant is the largest store for hockey equipment on the internet. They feature a huge selection of equipment and always seem to have a great selection of clearance items. They are known for having absolutely outstanding markdowns in their clearance section.

Total Hockey – Total Hockey.Net is the online source for the latest and greatest hockey equipment. If you can’t find it at any other store, try Total Hockey.net. Total Hockey is always the first to offer pre-orders for the newly announced equipment like the CCM U+ Skates and CCM U+ Stick!

Ice Jerseys – Ice Jerseys is your leading source for the greatest selection of official licensed NHL hockey jerseys from all 30 NHL teams – and more. Buy RBK Edge, authentic pro, replica and kids jerseys and customize your jersey with pro sewn-on lettering. This is a great place to pick up your own 2008 All-Star Jersey.

NHL Digest Store – We have compiled a store right here at NHL Digest that lists great prices on the equipment voted most popular by hockey players across North America.  Check out our own online hockey store.

Hockey Collectibles

NHL Shop – The NHL Shop offers a HUGE variety of collectibles and clothing for your favorite team. You can buy everything from drinking glasses to hats, to jerseys with your favorite team’s logo. This is by far the best one-stop shop for everything team related.

Pro Sports Memorabilia – Pro Sports Memorabilia offers a great selection of some of the most original and unique NHL Collectibles. I highly suggest that you check out their selection of merchandise. You never know what might you might find at this site!

Ebay – Ebay.com is obviously one of the most reliable sources for anything that your heart desires. Although you might not always find what you set out to look for, you will always find something to add to your collection when you visit Ebay and spend some time looking around at all of the auctions that they have to offer.

Amazon – Amazon.com is most well known for their selection of books. Although they have a great selection of hockey books, they also have all of your favorite hockey movies and other collectibles that you never knew you needed!

I hope that these sources help you to find what your hockey heart desires!

Let me know what your favorite online stores are!

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