by Brandon R. McKinney - Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods

 

Time. Money. Both represent important commodities for hockey players. Unfortunately for today’s modern athlete, they always seem to be in short supply. Year-round leagues limit the time available for breaking in new equipment, and a rough economy has greatly reduced excess spending cash – making it difficult to purchase anything new to break in.

 

Thankfully, there is the holiday season, which gives athletes a little extra of both. Inline winter sessions wrap in early to mid December, and most ice programs go on hiatus for a few weeks during the holidays. This brief sabbatical presents the down time needed to revaluate and attend to equipment needs. Plus, holiday gifts and bonuses translate into added funds for upgrading gear or paying for professional maintenance/cleaning services.

 

It’s the most wonderful time of year – when it comes to improving equipment. However, it is also important not to waste valuable time and money doing so. It is advisable to refine gear using a simple three-step process: (1.) evaluate, (2.) replace, and (3.) maintain.

 

EVALUATE

 

Equipment must maintain the proper fit and be in perfect working order – free from broken parts or deterioration. Please pay careful attention to this when un-zipping that equipment bag. Each piece should be examined for obvious signs of advanced wear and tear, with extra attention given to the helmet and skates. Gear that no longer fits, provides adequate protection, or is damaged in any way should always be discarded and replaced.

 

REPLACE

 

Damaged protective equipment (chest protector, elbow pads, and shin guards) usually warrants complete replacement. If plastic/urethane impact plates are cracked, the entire piece should be discarded and replaced. Likewise, if an athlete has outgrown an item (leaving gaps in protection), this item should be replaced with the proper size. With some sewing experience, torn straps can be repaired; however, it should be a permanent fix.

 

Helmets can be repaired piecemeal, depending upon the work required. Many helmet manufacturers offer replacement parts (e.g. chinstraps, ear protectors, cages, etc.) and hardware repair kits. Most hardware kits feature standardized screws, bolts, and other small pieces found on the leading helmet brands. If the shell is cracked or damaged, the entire helmet should be replaced. Competitive players should consider upgrading their helmet to models focused on concussion prevention, such as the Cascade M11 helmet. 

 

Skates largely determine an athlete’s performance level…and should receive intense scrutiny. If there are exposed areas found on any portion of the boot, the entire skate should be replaced. Problem areas – outside of the boot - can be replaced piecemeal:  missing rivets, cracked holders, and worn wheels (for those inline players). Likewise, ice players should replace steel when low or when runners develop excessive tarnish or rust.

 

MAINTAIN

 

After equipment has been evaluated and replaced (if necessary), athletes should strongly consider taking preventative measures to protect gear from future erosion. In other words, it’s time for basic maintenance – which can protect the athlete and improve performance.

 

Cleaning or sanitizing equipment is a quick, effective method for removing harmful bacteria and offending odors. The unique Sani Sport method (available in Metro St. Louis exclusively at Johnny Mac’s Sporting on Watson Rd.) fogs ozone deep into gear, killing up to 97 percent of bacteria - including MRSA - in just 16 minutes. Killing bacteria not only removes pungent odors, but also prolongs the life of equipment and improves health.

 

Most are aware that properly sharpened skates can quickly improve on-ice performance. The revolutionary Flat Bottom V sharpening method takes things to the next level. It crafts blades with the pronounced edges of a deep hollow and the glide of a shallow hollow. Skaters can increase glide time without sacrificing bite by switching to the FBV.

 

Blades can also be profiled with a custom radius to match a skater’s unique build and style. Skating styles are like fingerprints. No two are alike. Factory blade profiles force conformity, which causes discomfort and fatigue. Custom profiling grinds the gliding surface of blades to match a player’s skating style. It’s a careful process of matching steel with ability. Blades, like skates, can now be sized to fit with custom blade profiling.

 

A little time, money, and maintenance has its rewards both on and off the ice/floor. Spending periodically on equipment can greatly increase athlete performance and decrease the need for new gear. With a variety of year-end product sales, the holiday break is a perfect time to evaluate, replace, and maintain before returning to action.

 

Trained by St. Louis Blues equipment manager Bert Godin, the hockey staff at Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods offers a variety of equipment services, such as Sani Sport cleaning and custom blade profiling. In addition, all Metro St. Louis stores are currently offering markdowns on select gear. See the Johnny Mac’s ad in the center spread for full details.

                

Have questions regarding your equipment? The certified pros at Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods have answers! Email your questions or concerns to info@johnnymacs.com. Look for answers in future articles. If you need immediate assistance, you can always contact the pros toll free at 1-800-962-8347. Trust the “Home Team” hockey pros who know!