Mike McKenna Gives an Insider View on the New Gear

Once again our pro correspondent Mike McKenna of the AHL’s Albany Devils brings us his unique view on the pro game. Mike is happy to answer questions in a Q&A column – so if you have anything you’d like to ask him, please add it in the comments or email david@inGoalMag.com and we’ll pass them along.

Like this one? Check out Mike’s other articles:

Ask a Pro: Q & A with Mike McKenna

Complete Guide to Professional Goalie’s Gear Setup and Customization

How do the NHL, AHL and ECHL Differ – a Goalie’s Perspective

photo by Scott Slingsby

If you are having a difficult time understanding the new goalie equipment regulations, you are not alone. Amazingly enough, one would be hard pressed to find a professional goaltender who has any idea what is going on, much less what size gear he will be allowed to use next season. Reasoning that goalies should wear ‘form-fitting’ equipment, the NHL is set to implement a new set of rules aimed at limited pad height on an individual measurement basis.

This past week I was asked by Bauer to send in my measurements. Since I will be wearing their gear again next year, it makes sense to get it ordered as soon as possible so that I can become acquainted with any changes needed to meet next season’s regulations. In order to accomplish this, I was sent a PowerPoint sheet detailing each measurement needed. After sending the results back to Bauer, it was determined that I could actually wear pads that are a quarter inch taller than my current 34”+4” set up. I was shocked.

It turns out the new rules will negatively affect a small minority, while some will actually be permitted to wear longer pads. Unfortunately, the small minority will inevitably be the ‘little’ guys: If I’m 6’2” and my 34”+4”s are deemed legal, it’s fairly obvious that anyone shorter than me is going to be forced to shrink their pad height.
Personally, I don’t think this is fair. I understand that the NHL wants to institute a uniform rules package, but in doing so, they have effectively handicapped the smaller goalies, who already face a tough enough job. Today’s game is based so much on blocking that coverage is essential; the pace of the game and the speed of the shots requires us to get in position first, react second. Gone are the days when a goalie could simply rely on instincts to get by. With that comes the need for bigger equipment, not just for protection, but for blocking area.

My belief is that pad-height is self-limiting. You can only wear so big of a pad before it starts to be a detriment to your movement. On top of that, an extended thigh rise does no good unless there is something behind it to keep the pad from bending back into the 5-hole and allowing a goal. And truthfully, how many more goals do they think are going to go in due to this change in pad height? The dynamic of the butterfly hasn’t changed; you still have to get your pads down quickly in order to stop a shot, regardless of if you’re wearing 34”s or 40”s.

But why punish someone under 6’ just because they don’t have the same genetic makeup? If Manny Legace wants to wear 38” pads and they work for him, fine by me. But should I be allowed to wear 42” just because I’m 4” taller? No way. I liked the old system: 38” maximum. Black and white, clear as day, it worked in a similar fashion to maximum stick length for forwards. However, I do believe exceptions should have been available if needed – a 6’10” goalie would need pads taller than 38”. That’s if a 6’10” goalie ever made it to the NHL.

One of the strangest aspects of the new rules package is that very few goaltenders were involved in drafting it; and hardly anyone knows the details. To me, that’s a problem. Transparency is murky right now. After turning in my measurements, they had to be added, multiplied, and eventually compared to a chart in order to determine my proper size limit. And I’m not sure anyone outside of the equipment manufacturers and the NHL has seen the chart. On top of that, you know something’s wrong when an NHL goaltender finds out about the new regulations by reading The Hockey News (ed. note: an article piece by inGoal contributor Kevin Woodley).  There should be an open dialogue between the League, the NHLPA, and the goalies.

Of course, I am writing this from the outside looking in – I haven’t played in the NHL in over a year – but I am directly affected by the new rules. Every goalie under NHL contract will need to be measured and wear NHL-approved gear. This means select goalies playing in the AHL, ECHL, CHL, and even Tier 1 junior in Canada will be forced to comply.

But what happens when someone from Juniors gets called up on an emergency basis early in the season and has yet to receive legal equipment from the manufacturer? Can they dress? Obviously they won’t be allowed to wear someone else’s equipment since it hasn’t been custom fitted along league guidelines. Imagine a team being forced to put a defenseman in net because their goalies don’t have approved gear!

Another problem is that – for now – measurements are being sent on the honor system. If I wanted my legs to be an extra inch or two, who’s to stop me? But eventually the NHL wants to measure each contracted goalie in person – hopefully during training camp. And then they want the equipment companies to make 150 brand new sets of gear as quickly as possible so that everyone conforms to the new legality. Before each league’s season begins.

Color me cynical, but it sure seems like a huge bureaucratic process that is likely to net very little gain in terms of increased scoring. There’s also a high likelihood that small goalies will eventually be pushed out to an even greater extent. But apparently that’s the direction the NHL wants to go, and the NHLPA seems to be along for the ride. Once again, goalies have been deemed the culprit, even though scoring has remained up since the lockout. Maybe when these rule changes go into effect and don’t make much of a difference people will finally realize it’s the technique, skill, and coaching that has elevated goaltending to its current level.

Like this one? Check out Mike’s other articles:

Ask a Pro: Q & A with Mike McKenna

Complete Guide to Professional Goalie’s Gear Setup and Customization

How do the NHL, AHL and ECHL Differ – a Goalie’s Perspective

Related posts:

1. Kay Whitmore on Goalie Equipment Regulations and Sizes
2. New Goal Pad Regulations for 2010-2011 Complex and May Make Little Difference
3. Not wearing brand-name equipment? Sorry, you’ll have to take those pads off

special thanks to James Demarco for his cartoon

If you’re anything like most members of the goalie nation, chances are that a big part of your fascination with playing the position has to do with the coolness factor of strapping on all that equipment.  At the very top of the coolness factor scale, the goalie mask surely comes in first place.  Old guys like me remember sticking black and white hockey tape over that Johnny Boweresque clear plexi mask for the zebra effect, or etching fake scars with magic marker a la Gerry Cheevers.  For others, the marque de commerce that evokes the best memories might be the Palmateer blue zig-zag or Dryden’s CH bullseye, Eddie Belfour’s screaming eagle head or Stephane Fiset’s impregnable ice cube wall, Felix Potvin’s stylized cat or Grant Fuhr’s gushing oil well.  The bottom line is that almost all of us love the way the mask gives its wearer a particular character and mystique.

Moreover, the proof that this notion has carried over into the current era is the literal explosion of high-end mask painters.  Today Atom and Pee-Wee kids are getting custom lids.  Pro goalies now have taken to wearing different masks for special games or to support charities.  inGoalMag.com has featured many of the talented artists who have turned the humble brain bucket into a literal canvas for the most varied and evocative of designs.

Of course, as in all things, excellence has a price.  In the case of the custom air-brushed paint job with a favourite rendition of your-late-Aunt-Mildred-flexing-her-tattooed-biceps-as-she-wields-a-pointy-Sher-Wood-and-flashes-a-toothless-hockey-grin, the final bill can easily run into the $500+ range.  No small amount, especially for a dad on a budget or a beer leaguer (I’m both of these) who fixes his goalie sticks with duct tape to make them last longer (or is that to make them heavier when used as a club…?)

James Demarco poked fun at those of us financially challenged goalies with the cartoon featured above. For me, a guy who had for 20 years been wearing a garage-sale Jofa birdcage combo, it was a provocation to find out whether there was a way to have my cake and eat it too:  get a cool mask and a cool graphic without having to take out a second mortgage.

As it turns out, one of the hockey dads I know happens to own a company that does giant size industrial vinyl graphics, banners and publicity.  His company, Groupe Tetu, started out with his dad doing handpainted signs, just like everyone else did years ago.  Since that time, the business has evolved into a high tech service that, among other things, is able to make computer cut vinyl stickers that can cover 100% of the surface of any taxi or panel truck, or can produce 4 story high posters of Roberto Luongo for the world championships at the Colisée de Québec.

If you need BIG, Groupe Tetu has you covered!

For somewhere between $100-150 bucks, Jean François Tetu can take a Photoshopped design, submitted in jpeg format on a cd, and print them on a high tech 3M vinyl sticker that comes with a protective gloss finish layer bonded to the full colour graphic underneath.

Here’s the amazing part of the process.  I had always thought that stickers were cheap and fragile compared to a real paint job.  My scepticism was won over when we applied them in Jean-François’ kitchen.  First of all, he stretched a white decal over the entire surface of my black helmet so I wouldn’t have to paint it.  I honestly couldn’t tell that it wasn’t painted in an auto body shop.  Next, we spent an hour (!) getting the middle stripe correctly adjusted without folds, bumps or air bubbles.  What amazed me was how much he abused the sticker, stretching it, peeling it off at least a dozen times, heating it with a hair dryer, placing it again and again until it looked right.  Every time we pulled too hard and overstretched the decal, all we had to do was pull it off, lay it flat and heat it.  It would instantly shrink back to its original shape and size.  Remember, this is the same quality of decal used to decorate panel trucks and taxis that run outdoors in the mud, rain and snow year round.

Take a look at the final result and decide for yourself.  While it must be pointed out that the stickers are not dollar-store cheap, and that they are quite tricky to apply without screwing the job up (especially on the top of the helmet where the curve is most pronounced), they provide an option that is worth consideration.  Moreover, you could make a sticker of anything that can be photographed, from the Mona Lisa to a Mandinka Warrior to your late Aunt Mildred.  There are artists out there who can air-brush with accuracy that is photo-real, but that kind of skill comes at a premium (as it should, since these guys don’t come a dime a dozen).

Hasta la victoria siempre! (Forever onwards until victory!)

Groupe Tetu’s specialty is certainly not goalie masks, but if you wish to contact Jean François, he is open to inquiries (www.groupetetu.com).  If your French isn’t up to speed (though I do believe they do business in English as well) then try contacting me through inGoalMag.com and I can inquire on your behalf.  Or try leblancdesigns.com, signspecialist.com or check on Ebay for Troy Lee sticker packages.

Related posts:

1. Shots on Goal: Bruins Preseason Goalie Masks
2. Goalie Masks in Afghanistan
3. Goalie Masks

Welcome back readers!!

Moving along with the “GF Series” (Gear Familiarization) brings us to the next piece of gear.

In case you forgot, here is the lineup I will be working through;

1. Mask (Click for article)
2. Throat guard or dangler(Click for article)
3. Chest and Arm protector
4. Jock (a goalie specific jock)
5. Pants
6. Knee pads
7. Leg Pads
8. Blocker
9. Catching Glove
10. Skates
11. Stick
12. Jersey(s)
13. Undergarments
14. Bag to keep it all in

Chest and Arm Protectors

Some of you may remember the days of black and blue chest, arms, elbows, necks etc. It wasn’t always so much fun suiting up and standing in front of pucks. These were the days when chest protectors were actually 2 piece units! Fortunately for us tenders of the twine technology has advanced and we now have the super protective one piece chest and arm units that we see today!

Just like with any type of equipment there are all sorts of different companies that make Chest and Arm protectors out there. Generally they are all built using the same materials (HD Foam, nylon, plastics, assorted soft foams and assorted fasteners). Good news is that they are all very protective. Bad news is, that besides your pads and mask, a Chest and Arm unit is going to cost you a good chunk of your (or your parents) hard earned money. It is rightfully so, as there are a lot of important body parts that this unit is going to protect! Be prepared to spend anywhere from $200 – $500 depending on the brand and protection level of the C/A unit.

Lets start with some of the more popular Chest and Arm units out there.

Vaughn

These Vaughn units you can see are similar, but there are a few subtle differences, which allows for a greater product range. In this case it is the Velocity, and the Epic Series. Both are very popular units in the pro ranks as well as any level of hockey. The nice thing about Vaughn is that they offer these C/A units in a variety of protection levels, from PRO all the way down to youth. Determining your highest level of play and then purchasing the unit that corresponds with that level is a simple way to save yourself some money when looking at C/A units. (www.vaughnhockey.com)

Reebok

Reebok has burst on to the hockey scene over the last few years, and while a lot of people don’t know it, a lot of their product is still designed by Michel Lefevre (the same guy who designed for KOHO) and is a good quality product. They, like Vaughn, offer different level C/A units for you to chose from. (www.reebokhockey.com)

Brown

While the Brown name isn’t probably a name that is seen as much as Vaughn, Reebok, TPS etc, there is one thing that the Brown name is famous for and that is Chest and Arm units. A lot of professional goaltenders swear by the Brown C/A units. Why? They are tanks! If you want some serious protection a Brown C/A is something that you definitely want to take a look at. (www.brownhockey.com)

Like in my previous articles I will say this again, I am barely scratching the surface on the companies that make a quality C/A unit. These examples are just a few of the more popular units that are used. I would encourage you to take a look on the internet, or if you are fortunate enough to have a hockey store with a good selection near you, take a drive and try on all the different models and see what suits your needs best.

As in the past few articles there are also companies that build a product that is on par with all of the big name manufacturers that you sometimes don’t hear too much about. I would like to show you a few examples of those, and give you a few reference pictures so that you can compare them to the C/A units above, and see that even though there isn’t a big name associated with them they still are very good products and very protective as well.

Battram

Battram makes a great C/A unit that will run a little bit less than the big name manufacturers, but you also get the custom look that you want and that Battram has become known for. You can pick and choose your colors, or even have a custom logo stitched to the chest! Whatever you can think of, Battram can put together for you. It all comes at a good price in a protective professional level package. (www.battram.com)

Simmons

Simmons is a company that makes product lines that are similar to the Big name manufacturers signature lines. What is good about this? You get the same level of protection, the same design, and the same fit and feel of the big name products at a significant savings! Its the best of both worlds! Now some people have to have that “brand name” gear and that’s fine, in this case Simmons is not for you. But for the rest of you out there, take a look at the Simmons products, they are exceptional quality at an exceptional price. (www.donsimmons.com)

Take a look at the C/A units shown and you can even branch out from there in your search to find that perfect C/A . The internet is a great source to become an informed and educated consumer. Remember to check out several different styles and companies to find what works best for you. If you stop at one or two, you may never know what you are missing!

Now lets move on and give you a little info on making sure that the C/A unit fits properly. As with any type of gear if the fit is not proper, the level of protection the C/A unit offers is compromised.

Fitting a C/A Unit

Online Shopping

When you are searching online for a unit, keep in mind that various manufacturer’s C/A units will all fit a little differently. If you search the site there should be a chart that will help you determine the sizing so you can be sure you are looking at the right size. (see image below for proper chest measurement)

Retail Store Shopping

If you are in a hockey store you can use the following to help properly fit a C/A unit;

A proper fitting chest and arm pad should come down the arm to the wrist with the elbow centered into the elbow protector/cap. Too long in the arms and the catcher & blocker won’t fit securely. Too short and the potential for injury is increased by gaps in coverage. The chest/belly pad should provide full protection standing upright but not be so long that in a crouch the pad shifts out of position. The Goalie should have a good range of motion. To test, lift arms above shoulder height – ensure the pads do not dig into the neck. You can also take the goalies chest measurement from just below the arm pits and refer to an in store sizing chart so that you may find a general sizing starting point. Also keep in mind that there are usually several adjustment areas (shoulders, elbow caps, wrists, belly etc) to help customize the fit of the C/A.

Until next time, happy gear hunting! I hope I have helped you on the road to finding a C/A unit! And as always if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email me at vanniek@ingoalmag.com or comment below!

See you all next time when I dig a little deeper in to goalie specific jocks and jills!

Related posts:

1. Throat Guards and Danglers
2. Simmons Sports Tour
3. Goalie gear officially shrinks in September

I haven’t been working on the Gear Familiarization series  as mush as I have liked, which was caused by a new glove mod I have been working on. I am finally done with it, and ready to show it off to all of you!

Pictured below, the mod I categorize as being “insanely cute” which has a major distracting property. While usually as a goaltender we look for ways to get people to shoot right in to our gloves, this “mod” makes the player stop and stare in awe of the cuteness that it represents!!

And if that wasn’t enough I have even offered it in a “Double Glove” situation, which causes the ENTIRE other team to stop skating (Trust me this is awesome if you want to win!) and just stare in awe at the cuteness that is!

(Left is my daughter Theren (born April 9th 2010), and right is my daughter Raegan (born April 2nd 2005)

Anyways all kidding aside, everyone is healthy and happy at home now, and Raegan is VERY excited about her new baby sister!

And now I will get back to work, bringing you the ins and outs of goalie gear!

Related posts:

1. Glove/ Blocker Positioning in the Butterfly Slide
2. Cam Ward’s Spectacular Glove Save – Highlight of the Night
3. Luongo’s on the back spin-a-rama glove save the highlight of the night

Although a Vaughn man for pads and gloves, like 12 other NHL goalies, Boston's Tuukka Rask prefers a Warrior Stick. Photo by Scott Slingsby

Following up on yesterday’s useless stat of the day comparing goal pad brand and GAA, here is a histogram showing the number of NHL goalies using each brand of stick, according to the Goalie Guild’s Pads Tracker.

For more information on each brand you can visit their sites:

Bauer – you can now customize your stick at Bauer’s site
Brooklynite
Combat
Koho
Rebellion
Reebok
Sher-Wood
Torspo
TPS
Warrior

Related posts:

1. Useless Stat of the Day – Gear vs. GAA and Save PCT
2. Simmons Sports Tour
3. New Goal Equipment Regulations: A Pro’s Perspective

Likely the “useless stat of the day” but have fun with it!

Are Kipper's Bauer pads an advantage?

I have absolutely no idea what came over me to mess around with these numbers, perhaps it’s a bout of bronchitis that has my brain only able to work on thoughtless autopilot. Whatever the reason, I combined the NHL.com stats as of March 29 and information from the Goalie Guild’s Pads Tracker.

Here are the numbers for the major equipment makers. I used leg pads only, there seems to be a big variety amongst the Vaughn users in particular of which brand of gloves they use. John Curry was eliminated because his GAA and Save PCT are so wildly out of line. This of course also points out that taking an average of a bunch of averages doesn’t tell us a whole lot. It needs to be weighted…Curry can’t count equally with the big men of the league who log a tonne of minutes.

If you actualy calculate save percentage from totals of shots and saves for the three makers – rather than taking an average of averages – Curry can stay in and we get:

Bauer  0.913

Reebok  0.908

Vaughn 0.912

Go ahead, and speculate wildly on what this means – probably nothing at all…

Related posts:

1. Complete Guide to Professional Goalie’s Gear Setup and Customization
2. Goal Stick Brands in the NHL
3. Goalie Gear for the Beginner – How do you get started?

Hello InGoal readers!

It’s been a bit of a break since my last article on goalie masks, but I would like to move along with the “Gear Familiarization” series.

In case you forgot, here is the lineup I will be working through giving an in depth look at each piece and as much information as I can.

1. Mask (See mask article here)
2. Throat guard or dangler
3. Chest and Arm protector
4. Jock (a goalie specific jock)
5. Pants
6. Knee pads
7. Leg Pads
8. Blocker
9. Catching Glove
10. Skates
11. Stick
12. Jersey(s)
13. Undergarments
14. Bag to keep it all in

There are 2 items I will be talking about today. The first is the throat guard, and second is going to be the dangler (or as some call it, “the Lexan”).

First up lets talk about;

Throat Guards

Many Chest and Arm (C/A) Units have a throat guard attached to them already like the one pictured below.

This is a nice feature, but there is one issue that sometimes occurs when a C/A unit does not fit properly (see fitting guidelines later in the C/A Article – coming soon!) and that is a gap that will form between the goaltenders neck, and the throat guard, not a good thing obviously, but lucky for all of us goaltenders there are options!

There are several types of throat guards, what you chose is up to you, and what is most comfortable.

We will take a look at the most common throat guard first. They are made by almost all of the major (and a lot of smaller) gear manufacturers and are usually readily available at you’re local hockey store.

General construction is a nylon material, and then foam and plastics for the protective areas of the guard. Velcro strapping allows for a secure and adjustable fit. All around this style  is a very protective and good option for throat protection. Again there are many models out there, and it comes down to what the goaltender prefers. Take a look at your options and chose what you like the best!

While you can settle for the guards that do the job, why not check out something that “kicks” it up a notch? Yes as always there is something more for the guardian of the nets, which leads me to the next styles of throat protection;

Gel Throat Guards

There are only a few companies that make this style of throat guard, and with the addition of medical grade gel it offers another level of protection from impact, abrasions, and cuts.

Maltese Gel throat and sternum Protectors. (www.maltesehockey.com)

Female goaltenders can benefit from the extra sternum protection of the Maltese combo, and men can benefit from the extra padding it offers under their C/A unit.

So what are the benefits of gel? Besides offering great impact and abrasion protection, here is an excerpt from the Maltese website on the benefits of their gel collar;

The gel affords unparalleled comfort and does not cause heat buildup as can happen with most collars. The hook & loop closure allows for easy on and off, plus a degree of adjust ability. The clavicle protection covers the area just below your Adam’s Apple and runs along the collarbone. In cases of extreme heat when playing inline, the collar can be cooled prior to the start of play.

Combo throat Guards

Finally I would like to show you a guard that takes the best of both worlds and combines them. It has the regular build of a foam throat guard, with the added benefit of gel. The gel is covered in neoprene for added comfort, and even more abrasion resistance.

Battram Goal Equipment has taken the standard throat guard, and combined it with medical grade gel. What does this offer? It lets you have the feel of a traditional throat guard, with the added benefit of gel protection. A lot of goalies don’t like to change things too often, this unit offers a medium ground for them.

If you are interested in this neck guard check it out at Battram’s website for more information. (www.battram.com)

Just a note on throat guards: Most youth hockey organizations require children to wear a throat guard, so be sure to check what is required. Some of the gel units are not yet certified for all levels of play.

Danglers

Many goaltenders in all levels of play swear by wearing a dangler. It not only offers more protection to the throat/neck area, but it can be worn with a throat guard as well for even more protection. I have heard many goalies say they started out playing without one, and took one shot to the neck, and now wouldn’t be caught without it on. I personally don’t wear one (I must still be waiting for that fated neck shot to come along!) but with how many people swear by wearing one it is definately worth trying out! You can see by the picture below that it offers another player of protection in the area the mask doesn’t quite reach.

As with anything goaltending there are a few different styles, but for the most part they look exactly like the one pictured. It is fastened to the front of the mask and attached with nylon chord, or skate lace. The vent holes offer the most convenient place to attach it to the side of the mask, and the front is looped through the cage. These can usually be found at your local hockey shop, or if you are having trouble locally, check the internet, any decent store will have what you are looking for.

I have seen the dangler worn in two ways;

Loose:

This method offers a little more mobility for the dangler allowing for ease of looking down at your feet if you need to, as well as letting it sit on your C/A without getting caught up. (see picture above) It kind of floats in place and allows more mobility. (See picture above) The cons of this method are that the dangler could block your vision when you are trying to get a good look at the puck. (Take a look at the article written on this by InGoalMag’s Paul Szabo. Click here for Paul’s dangler article.)

Tight:

In this method the dangler is attached so that it almost becomes a single unit with the mask. There is no slack in the cord/lace that is used to attach it to the mask, and is fixed statically in place. (See picture above)  The benefits with this type of attachments are that it makes sure that the dangler is not going to move out of the way of the area you are trying to protect. Cons of this method are that if you are trying to look down at your feet, it may hit your C/A and not allow you to look down as quickly as you would like. It also adds some weight to your mask which may take some time to get used to.

For more information on different methods of attaching a dangler click here Goalie Store Dangler Thread to see how people have attached their danglers.

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to wear a dangler, as with everything everyone has a personal preference. Just make sure that your preference offers the most protection you can get, because as we all know from experience those pucks tend to find the areas that aren’t protected and bite us when we least expect it!

Thanks again readers for stopping in and taking a look!

I will be back next time with a look into Chest and Arm protectors and some of the options out there to help pad us from those rubber missiles we stand in front of!

And as always if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email me at vanniek@ingoalmag.com or comment below!

Special thanks to Phil Maltese from Maltese hockey for his photos and information, and Scott Battram at Battram hockey for his photos and information. All rights reserved

Related posts:

1. Chest and Arm Protectors
2. Tech Tips: That danged dangler is hurting your game
3. Goalie Masks

When I was last in Ontario I made a visit I always try to get in if I am anywhere in the area. When it comes to goalie gear “in the area” generally means within a couple of hours. This time fortunately I was only about 20 minutes away from Fort Erie, Ontario – right across from Buffalo, New York where Don Simmons Sports is located.

I stumbled upon them accidentally about 12 years ago and as I walked through the door I thought I had died and gone to goalie heaven. Though a functional store for drop in business, owner Scott Simmons and his team are primarily running a mail-order business, serving customers everywhere through their web site. The store doubles as their warehouse, so there is gear lined up everywhere, floor to ceiling with only narrow aisles to walk around – it doesn’t get any better! They bill themselves as the “world’s largest goalie store” and it’s hard to argue when you see it all. I’ve been wearing Simmons gear ever since – and of course added a couple of more pieces on this trip – pants and a chest arm unit.

Gear, Gear everywhere! This is only about a third of the shop.

Simmons is a small company that retails several companies’ gear, but their bread and butter is the in-house line – Simmons. It’s put together right across the street in their factory and Scott was kind enough to show me around. I was able to see the entire proces from the stamping out of pieces to the sewing together of several pieces of gear. Scott prides himself on the quality of the gear they make, proudly made in Canada when most other companies have shifted operations overseas.

Scott Simmons showing me around the factory - here are a few of the dies for the 995 goal pad

Being a small company is a real challenge today. The marketing dollars behind major companies dwarf Simmons’ tiny budget, and no small company can afford the fees to get their branded gear into the pros and Major Junior.  Our own Paul Szabo detailed this in a great piece last year.

Main piece of chest protector being cut out

All the pieces for a glove, ready to assemble

The upside is that what Simmons saves on marketing, they give right back to the consumer so you can outfit yourself with their top of the line pro-spec pad for $799, or a set of gloves and pads for less that a top name brand set of pads.

If you have custom requirements, Scott can help you there as well of course. Custom gear is one of the biggest parts of their business.

I would encourage you to have a look around the web site, but more importantly, if you are anywhere “in the area” drop by and have a look around. Tell Scott that inGoal sent you!

Related posts:

1. Meet Hockey’s Grandmaster Mask Maker – SportMask Tour with Tony Priolo
2. Roberto Luongo’s Olympic Pads
3. Chest and Arm Protectors

On Saturday vs. Boston Roberto Luongo debuted his new all-white Olympic Pads which he had been using in practice in preparation for the games. Our photo editor Scott Slingsby was there and captured these photos. For more check out his original piece on the game.

Roberto Luongo's All-White Olympic Pads Photo by Scott Slingsby

Roberto Luongo's All-White Olympic Pads Photo by Scott Slingsby

Related posts:

1. Roberto Luongo Canada Olympic Mask
2. Roberto Luongo Team Canada Olympic Mask – Newly Released
3. Olympic Interview: Team Canada Goalies Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur

Mike McKenna on what he wears, where it comes from, and who pays for it all at the pro level

Mike is sharing his second column with us today. He would love to answer some questions from readers in his next column – if you have anything you’d like to ask whether it is based on what he has already written, or just on goaltending in general – fire them our way in the comments or to david@inGoalMag.com and I’ll pass them on.

Like this one? Check out Mike’s First Article How do the NHL, AHL and ECHL Differ – a Goalie’s Perspective

If you’re a goaltender, chances are you’ve been asked this question; “Why on earth would you want to be a goalie!?!” Although there are many different routes to take when answering, the main idea almost always gravitates towards a common theme: equipment. If you’re anything like me, you found yourself instantly drawn to the guy standing awkwardly in front of the red cage, decked out from head to toe in goofy-looking equipment and wearing the coolest looking mask you had ever seen.

As a child, I was lucky. My dad, Terry, is an off-ice official for the NHL in St. Louis (as was my Grandpa), a part-time gig with a major bonus: two tickets to Blues home games. And since off-ice officials have to arrive well in advance of the opening faceoff, it afforded me a golden opportunity: watching the opposing teams’ warm up. I developed a habit of studying their goaltenders’ every move and taking note of the gear they wore. Before long – and mainly due to an intense fascination with equipment – goaltending was my passion.

I’m even luckier today. New gear arrives every few months, not as a ritual of professional extravagance or elitism, but rather a necessity. After several months of constant use against the hardest shooters in the world, foams contained within goalie gear starts to break down rapidly. Because of this, I usually receive a new blocker, glove, and pad set 2-3 times a year, depending on playoffs. It’s generally accepted – although not mandated – that AHL goalies will receive at least two sets of gear per season, while those in lower leagues might receive only one. Once you reach the NHL, however, things change. If you need or want something – especially if you’re the starter – a new piece of gear is only a phone call away. Goalies routinely rotate 2-3 sets of gloves at one time, and some even have home and away helmets. Regardless of the level you are playing, professional teams are responsible for the cost of all equipment.

Although I have the option of wearing any equipment company that has paid league fees (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc all have this requirement), I’ve worn primarily Bauer since I was 15 years old. When I made it to NCAA Divison-I hockey with St. Lawrence University, I had the chance to visit Bauer’s goaltending headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario for a custom fitting. That day I met Todd Brown, director of Bauer’s goalie products. Ever since, we have maintained a strong working relationship: if I need something, Todd is the first person (aside from our equipment manager) that I call. He has all my specs on file and can quickly make changes or recommend a slight alteration for my next set of gear.

One myth associated with pro hockey is that equipment companies always pay goaltenders to endorse their product. While some NHL (and a select few AHL) goalies do receive incentive packages to promote a certain manufacturer, not everyone is so lucky, especially in the current economic climate. The reality is that some goalies choose a company based purely on customer service. Just like any other business, personal relationships can be very powerful. I use Bauer not only because I like their product, but because they have been very good to me throughout my career. I’m a firm believer that loyalty pays off in the long run.

I’m sure plenty of people reading this would like an in-depth analysis of my gear setup. Like most goaltenders, my equipment has evolved over time. I’ll do my best to describe all the modifications. Keep in mind that all of my equipment is sent to Kay Whitmore at the NHL for inspection and approval, just like every other goaltender playing in the NHL or AHL. If you look close enough, you can find his signature somewhere on every piece of gear I wear. Please forgive me if I leave anything out, and feel free to ask questions. Hopefully I can answer them all in another column.

Skates

Spec: Bauer Supreme One95
Size: 10 D/E
Hollow: 1/4” – 3/8” depending on ice conditions
Mods: I use a size 9 TUUK cowling instead of a 10 because I like a shorter ‘wheelbase.’
Pairs/season: One pair of skates, 3-4 sets of cowlings.

Pads

Spec: Bauer Supreme One100
Size: 34”+4”
Mods: Stiff knee breaks, incorporated toe bridge, no straps above knee, all outside straps below knee, extra stiff knee lifts
Comments: I like my pads as stiff as possible, while retaining a mild “S” shape to them. I don’t want my pads to flex at the knee. Straps above the knee aren’t necessary because of this. My knee lifts are the maximum length and as stiff as possible: I make a lot of saves with them when down and I need as much on-ice coverage as possible. In college, my pads were 37”+1” and they fit properly because the boot used to break down so much. Today’s pads keep their height because of the stiffness of the boot. I’ve gradually moved to 34”+4” over time because of this…and because of my short shins!
Tip: If you want your pads to retain their original height, DO NOT turn them upside down to dry. It makes the pad flex to a 90 degree angle and causes them to break down prematurely.
Pairs/season: 2-3, but could easily use 5-6 if given the resources.

Pants

Spec: Bauer Reactor6/Vapor/custom
Size: XL
Pairs/season: One.
Comments: My pants are basically the old Reactor 6 with some slight cosmetic changes. Pants are one thing I don’t like to change very often. One pair a year is enough.
Tip: If you wear a belt, make sure NOT to over-tighten it…many young goalies lose coverage this way.

Arm & Chest

Spec: Bauer Supreme One95
Size: XL
Mods: 1” extra length and double padding on the arms.
Number/season: One…but would use at least 2 given the resources.
Comments: I wear my arm & chest as high as possible in order to protect the clavicle area and tuck it into my pants for improved mobility/comfort. You’d be amazed how torn up this piece of equipment is after a year of usage. There’s no mercy on goalies these days and we take a beating up high in practice.

Glove

Spec: Bauer Supreme One100
Mods: Single T-trap instead of double T.
Number/season: 2-3, could use up to 5-6
Comments: I like the solid feel of the single T-trap. No need to change something that has worked for years.

Blocker

Spec: Bauer Supreme One100
Mods: Palm size is 10% bigger than stock.
Number/season: 2-3, could use 4-5

Mask

Spec: Warwick Custom
Model: Miller
Bars: Titanium
Artist: David Gunnarsson aka DaveArt
Number/season: One
Comments: I’ve used Warwick masks since I was 15. They’re the lightest on the market and always fit perfect. Gary takes pride in his work and it shows. I started going to Dave last year when I was with Norfolk. I’d seen several of his helmets and checked out his website (http://www.daveart.com). He’s the best mask painter out there; I have yet to see a style he can’t do. I’m a huge IndyCar/F1 fan and as such, my preference is a helmet that looks good up close, but even better from a distance.

Sticks

Spec: Sher-Wood
Model: S.O.P 9950
Number/season: 4 dozen +
Comments: My stick is a modified Grant Fuhr pattern that I got when I was 13 or 14 years old. It’s a slightly open heel curve and a pretty high lie…about a 16 or 17. It hasn’t changed much since I scored a goal as a 17-year old in the NAHL.

Miscellaneous

• RBK knee guards
• RBK throat collar
• Vaughn Epic Double Cup w/ player cup underneath

Editor’s note: I got the first question in becuse I just had to clarify this one – you probably read it correctly – 3 cups!  Mike replied, “Almost every pro goalie uses a regular cup or jock underneath a goalie cup.  It’s not worth taking the chance with how hard these guys shoot.”

• DRI-fit long-sleeve shirt & pants, tight fit for both
• Easton garter belt
• Easton wrist bands

Like this one? Check out Mike’s First Article How do the NHL, AHL and ECHL Differ – a Goalie’s Perspective

Related posts:

1. Goalie Gear for the Beginner – How do you get started?
2. Book Review: The Hockey Goalie’s Complete Guide by Francois Allaire
3. Goalie gear officially shrinks in September