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By: Dan Wilton, editor of Sporting Goods Canada |
Hockey equipment has come a long way. The days when an Eaton's catalogue strapped to each shin sufficed for goalie pads and two tin cans marked the goal in the neighborhood pond have long gone. Even the most sophisticated pads of that era have become just as extinct as the Eaton's catalogue.
Equipment was heavy, lacking in protection and in some cases, downright ugly. Regular viewers of Hockey Night in Canada can attest to this whenever Dave Hodge and Goldie haul 1930's footage of Stanley Cup games out of mothballs. The old gear is also on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame at Exhibition Place in Toronto and, depending on the time of year, you can also have a look at the Stanley Cup.
Canadian companies have played the major role in improving hockey equipment, and thanks to the international reputation of Canadian hockey players and manufacturers, Canada and good hockey equipment are synonymous around the globe. Names such as C.C.M., Cooper, Daignault Rolland, Sherbrooke, Bauer, Lange, Daoust Lalonde, Orbit, Micron, Canadian Hockey Industries, Hespeler St. Mary's and Victoriaville account for Canada's popularity. Today's equipment undergoes rigorous testing and is subject to analysis by the Canadian Standards Association. Jet age materials are used that are far more efficient than their distant predecessors.
Players' needs guided the development of hockey equipment. Comfort, protection, safety of other players, function, cosmetics and fit were the guiding stars for manufacturers and designers.
Above all, fit is the single most important consideration since it has a bearing on all of the other needs. If a player's shirt doesn't fit, he'll be uncomfortable and lose maneuverability in his arms and shoulders. If his pants are too bulky, he'll probably lose the protective capabilities of the padding since it will cover the wrong areas. If a stick is too long, it increases the danger of a butt end to other players. Skates fitted too large will be hard to control. Finally, socks that are too small or a sweater that's too big aren't the most appealing things cosmetically.
Many changes have been made to equipment solely in the name of comfort. Jerseys are now made similar to football sweaters with a mesh material that allows for good air circulation and breathability. The "hot and sweaty" look is now out. Padding is now much lighter than it was not so long ago. Not only does this add to comfort, it allows a player to perform better and longer since he's not carrying around any extraneous weight.
Skate blades, or more specifically, the blade mounts, have undergone considerable renovations over the years. Since the blade itself is basically an eight to ten inch knife, it deserves a little added attention in the safety department. Originally, the blade was attached to the boot by two stainless steel posts with a small stabilizing bar at the front. This left the back of the blade exposed and a danger for a fallen player who could take one in the face or eye. The first attempt at solving the problem was to put small plastic tips on the end of the blade. Later, metal guards came down from the back of the boot to cut off the opening between the blade and the heel. With the advent of the plastic blade, the rear support was molded flush with the stainless steel blade, thereby eliminating the problem.
A change designed to protect the individual player can best be illustrated by the evolution of the modern helmet. Originally, headgear was made of leather which tended to be hot and didn't offer all of the protective qualities necessary to sustain a hefty bang on the head. It was found that by using plastic outer shells separated from the head by sponge and later, foam, more protection was offered. Then, a mask was added, first of a plexiglass type of material and later, a cage.
Changes to improve the functionabilty of equipment are too numerous to name but one good example is the move to a curved blade on the stick. When the concept was first introduced, players such as Bobby Hull had so much curve in the blade that it resembled a jai alai basket more than a hockey stick. The idea behind the curved blade was to give more power to a player's forehand shot. One of the drawbacks to the change was that it cut down on the accuracy on a backhand and made it more difficult to trap a puck. The NHL showed that it could be adaptable as well and slapped a limit of 1/2" of curvature on stick blades.
One of the most drastic and exciting changes on the hockey horizon is the introduction of Cooperall by Cooper of Canada Ltd. This new concept maintains the general trend to light and takes it to the extreme, with what the company bills as a complete hockey uniform system.
This new hockey "silhouette" is more along the lines of a track suit than conventional hockey gear and it replaces both socks and pants. The uniform features an outer shell of lightweight nylon that covers from waist to ankle. A girdle covers the area from the top of the knees to the middle of the rib cage and padding is placed in pockets over vulnerable areas. Slash pads are also provided on the backs and inside of the upper leg. When the girdle and outer shell are com-bined with Cooper XL2 shinguards, XL3 shoulder pads and XL1 gloves, the system is said to weigh 40% less than a conventional uniform.
Molded skates are eating up more and more of the market and to a great extent, they are following the same path that ski boots have in the past. Most are now hinged at the ankle to provide added forward flex and many manufacturers have introduced quick lacing systems. Buckles may be the next step, with some manufacturers already working on prototypes. And if skates continue to follow ski boots, the ultimate will be the buckleless boot. The advantages of the plastic boot are: they are lighter than conventional models; they are said to provide better protection; they're less expensive to make; and the inner liners can be washed in most cases.
The plastic blade is now a reality with manufacturers such as Tuuk, 1CM, Per-fecta and Nylite. Original breakage problems with the blades seem to have been ironed out and it's now possible to get blades in white, black or a seethrough variation that will be on the rinks this year.
In sticks, no earth-shattering improvements have been made. Basically, it's still a wooden stick, sometimes with fiberglass overwraps, sometimes with inserts in the heel to reduce wear. Cosmetics are heavily stressed by the manu-facturers. In the future, it's a pretty safe bet that something in a synthetic will replace wood, but as yet nothing has gone past the drawing board in any serious way. There is, however, a ball hockey stick being manufactured for the little tots and eventually, this may develop into something. When synthetic sticks do get off the drawing boards and onto dealers' shelves, however, don't expect them to come in around the $10 mark. They'll be expensive and will really have to prove themselves to the pro's and the public and that's as it should be.
Whenever buying equipment, it's critical that the fit be the major consideration. Customers in a sporting goods store shouldn't be afraid to try anything and everything on. With the prices that are being charged these days, it's the only approach that makes any sense. If a dealer refuses to take the time to insure a proper fit, there's always one down the street who will.
Helmets should provide plenty of protection for the ear and temple areas and the front should be one finger's width from above the eyebrow. Whenever a mask is mounted, the top of the mask should be flush with the helmet and the chin should be snug when the mouth is closed. All helmets should be marked CSA approved.
With shoulder pads, the shoulder caps should fit right over the shoulder blade tips and the bicep pad should slightly overlap the elbow pad. Elbow pads should be a tight fit to prevent movement due to articulation of the arm and the banging the elbow is bound to take. They should overlap the bicep pad and the cuff of the glove.
Roomy is the order of the day when it comes to pants and they should be 4-6" more than the waist size. If the player is overweight, add 2" to that.
In order to fit a glove, the player should grip a stick firmly so that he can get a feeling for the stick in his hands. He should also be able to manipulate his fingers, even though new gloves are generally stiff.
Shin pads should measure from the top of the knee cap to the top of the skates. It's also preferable to have slash pads that extend as far around the leg as possible.
Skates are the most difficult purchase for the player in terms of fit, since many manufacturers differ widely in their fitting instructions to dealers. This is why it's crucial to go to a reputable dealer and one who's willing to take the time and energy to fit you properly. Anyone who won't take the time, doesn't deserve your business.
Before you do settle on a purchase, make sure you've made the rounds to a number of sporting goods stores. What one store has run out of or doesn't stock to begin with, may be just what you're after. Changes are still happening fast and furious in hockey equipment.
Also, talk to as many of your friends as possible. Don't depend on the pro's and the selections they make. Many are under contract to wear what they're wearing. Also bear in mind that most of their equipment is custom fitted. If anything is wrong with their equipment, the manufacturers will do handstands to put it right. Use what the pro's tell you only as a guideline and bear in mind that your equipment doesn't always have to be the "Pro" model. There are some excellent products out there that can save you a lot of money and be totally suitable for your needs. That is, until Chicago picks up your option.
©1999 TG Magazine/Le Magazine TG
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