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Fully Loaded, Fall 2010
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
GEARED UP
More than ever, choosing the right hockey equipment has become a balancing act. It’s no longer just a question of comfort or what a player can afford. Balance – as in weight distribution – is a top priority for stick manufacturers as they seek to improve the performance and off-the-rack appeal of their products. During the past decade, skate-makers have focused on creating lighter high-end products to increase player speed and agility. With sticks, however, weight alone isn’t the issue – most lightweight models now are in the 415- to 450-gram range. Instead, optimal balance is the key. Sticks are the hottest category for sales, especially since they are a lot easier to try out and break in and players buy sticks more often than skates. The biggest buzz is in the fall,…
HELMETS
Helmets are the most important piece of protective equipment. But no player above peewee wants a bulky, dorky-looking helmet that doesn’t pass the minimum mirror test. Elite players generally wear helmets with less foam — and protection — than top-of-the-line models. Easton is trying to change that with its new Stealth S19, which weighs roughly half as much as other high-performance headgear. The low-profile 325-gram model fuses EPP foam and a polycarbonate shell in a single, protective Monocoque (structural skin) construction. “We introduced the Z-Shock helmet at the Winter Olympics and there was a lot of ‘wow’ to it,” said Easton’s Terry Serpa. “Players said they felt like they were able to react quicker and that a lighter helmet gave them an edge.” Bauer – the No. 1 helmet brand – revised its…
HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER
Nicklas Lidstrom Ever wonder why Nicklas Lidstrom can play 30 minutes a game and never look tired? It has a lot to do with the interval training he does in the off-season. Alternating between cycling and running each day, he’ll do 40 seconds at a high intensity and 1:30 at a lower intensity to mimic the shifts in a game. If he is running uphill or the tension on the bike is higher, the interval becomes shorter. If the intensity is lower, the interval becomes longer. Erik Johnson As a young defenseman, Erik Johnson is always trying to improve his upper-body strength. After all, those big power forwards in the corners and in front of the net aren’t going to take care of themselves, ya know. So in the off-season, Johnson focuses on his…
UNDER WEAR
Selling hockey players on the benefits of technical, performance base-layer garments is no longer an issue. They get the message. Cotton T-shirts, long-johns, shorts and, sometimes even, socks are out. Given hockey’s torrential sweat flow — and signature odors — players understand the need to manage moisture and stink. Some have migrated to tight-fitting, compression-type base-layer garments to better channel perspiration, stay cool and perform better. These shimmery synthetic pieces help do those jobs, but their looks and textures aren’t hockey-traditional. Manufacturers have responded with an expanded offering of long-and short-sleeve shirts, long and short pants, socks and other items that mimic the touch of cotton, but are water-wicking, anti-microbial and have hockey-specific features. Hockey brands — including Bauer, Reebok, CCM, Easton and Warrior — all offer base-layer garments. But Under Armour invented the…
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