Find Skates that Fit Like a Glove
Boots should fit like a glove—snug but comfortable—and should hug the feet firmly. Try this six-step fitting process: Be fitted for skates only at specialty hockey shops. They are knowledgeable about skates and will help you find the skates to best meet your needs. When being fitted for new boots, wear the same weight of [...]
The Skate Boot
To kick off our “Skates: Your Most Important Piece of Hockey Equipment” series, Laura Stamm of Laura Stamm Power Skating explains the importance of good boots in preventing ankle pain, ensuring good skating form and protecting feet from sticks and pucks. (Hint: This fancy boot shown will not work!) The quality, fit, manner of lacing, [...]
Total Hockey Launches HockeyGreen
With the tagline “Reduce your carbon stickprint,” Total Hockey’s recycling initiative focuses on composite hockey sticks. This new initiative focuses on aligning Total Hockey’s business practices with environmentally friendly strategies in an effort to reduce its ecological impact. “We are excited to launch the first genuine hockey equipment recycling effort in North America,” says Michael [...]
Perfect Your Wrist Shot with Shot Tec
The Shot Tec is designed for a fairly specific purpose—strengthening the muscles used when taking a wrist shot (and only a wrist shot). Basically, a hockey puck is attached to a resistance band that is fitted into a track. The player uses a dial to choose how much resistance they want and then practices “shooting” [...]
Smarthockey Stickhandling Balls
As a hockey player you should have a decent set of hands. You should be able to move the puck quickly from side to side and having the odd deke up your sleeve never hurts either. The only way you can develop quick hands is by practicing—and that is what the Smarthockey stickhandling balls are [...]
Weight Train with PowerBlade
A weighted hockey stick such as the PowerBlade allows hockey players to incorporate weights into their stickhandling and shooting training and help strengthen the muscles involved in sport-specific movements. The PowerBlade is designed to add weight to a hockey player’s stick without hindering technique. The stick is evenly weighted so that a hockey player can [...]
Black or Blue?
What kid that plays baseball doesn’t dream of hitting a home run? Hockey’s equivalent is probably picking the upper corner to score a goal. In order for that big hit to be a home run, the fence needs to be moved in considerably. Most Mites need a similar accommodation and that is the Blue Puck. [...]
Armor Under Pads: The Base Layer
You know you’re facing a problem when two kids show up for practice late on the same day for the same reason: eczema infected by Velcro on their shin pads. And both moms spent more for the copay at the doctor’s office and prescriptions than the cost of spandex leggings or long skating socks to [...]
Mouthguard Primer: 25 Tips!
Rumor has it that mouthguards aren’t required in Canada—but neckguards are—because you can replace your teeth but you can’t replace your head. While I can find no confirmation of this, last season my son was coached by a recently retired NHL player from Canada who did, in fact, require a neckguard. Plus, USA Hockey requires [...]
What You Need to Know to Buy Ice Hockey Skates
It’s counterintuitive but true. The best time to get new skates is in the off-season, when they’re on sale and you have time to break them in. Because the last thing you want to do is break in skates a couple weeks before tryouts — or during tryouts! Whether buying new or used, we found [...]