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Gear Hockey Newsletter

Best Hockey Sticks for 2024 – TravelSports Staff Picks

Best Hockey Sticks for 2024: TravelSports.com Staff Picks

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Hockey is a sport that combines speed, agility, and precision, and the hockey stick is your primary tool on the ice. When selecting a hockey stick, it’s crucial to consider its role in ball or puck control, shooting accuracy, and the power behind every pass or shot. Modern hockey sticks are meticulously designed combining advanced materials and engineering to enhance your on-ice performance.

The construction of hockey sticks has evolved from traditional wood to high-tech materials like carbon fiber, offering a blend of flexibility, durability, and lightness. A well-crafted stick can significantly impact your game, allowing for sharper passes and more powerful shots. The curvature of the blade, the flex of the shaft, and the stick’s length are tailored to suit various playing styles and positions. A forward might opt for a stick that allows for quick wrist shots, while a defenseman might prefer one that can launch powerful slap shots from the point.

Choosing the right hockey stick involves assessing factors such as the flex rating, which indicates the amount of force needed to bend the stick. This should be matched to your weight and strength for optimum performance. The stick’s lie is also important, as it determines the angle the stick shaft forms with the blade on the ice, affecting your puck handling. Weight and balance contribute to the overall feel of the stick in your hands, influencing your control and reaction speed.

Equipped with the right hockey stick, your on-ice performance can be greatly enhanced. Beyond the basic specifications, personal preference and comfort play significant roles in finding the perfect stick. In the next section, we’ll explore some of the top hockey sticks on the market, scrutinizing features and benefits to help you make an informed decision.

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Gear Gifts Hockey

Best Gifts for the “Hockey” Holidays

For many of us, the holidays snuck up on us …. unless you are the type that’s been planning since summer! Well it’s not to late to get your game on and start finding some fun “Hockey” related gifts. We’ve compiled a list of hockey holiday gift ideas for all the players in your life. Now, don’t be a scrooge and forget about getting yourself something as well! Have fun and check them out below.

Training Aids

  • Hockey Net – Admit it, your net is in need of an upgrade!

  • Shooting Pad – Practice in your basement, garage or outside. These pads do a realistic job of simulating ice conditions.

Toys & Games
  • Air Hockey – Hours of fun playing air hockey with the kids.

  • Rod Hockey – You had it as a kid, may have gotten into a few fights over playing it, but it’s a classic holiday gift!

Clothes & Accessories
  • NHL Authentic Jersey – I know, you’re probably not a Blackhawks fan … but you can also buy this in your teams colors, unless you are a fan … then yeah!!

  • Warm Hat – It doesn’t get more basic or useful than a nice warm hat, which you’ll be happy you are wearing while you freezing your $^*^ off at the rink.

Hated the list … thought we didn’t put much time into it? We’ll we’ve added some additional links, just in case you aren’t feeling the holiday spirit and just want to find something else.

Looking for new hockey gear? Pure Hockey has you covered!

Want to go to a hockey game … or two! Check some great seats at Vivid Seats!

Want to trade in an old pair for a new? SidelineSwap has you covered. 

Maybe your just looking for some cool tape … or other swag. Check out Howies Hockey Tape. 

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Gear Hockey

Bauer Supreme S18 Senior Goalie Jock

Bauer Supreme S18 Senior Goalie Jock

Overview:

The Bauer Supreme Goalie Jock is part of Bauer’s top of the line goaltending equipment providing professional-level protection. Super lightweight materials are used throughout the Supreme goalie jock improving overall durability and comfort. Lining the interior is Bauer’s high-quality 37.5 material. Bauer uses this material because of its excellent moisture-wicking properties, keeping you drier as well as more comfortable during the game.

The Supreme jock is fitted with one traditional injection molded cup and a secondary floating molded front plate insert that acts as the primary line of defense. Bauer’s reinforced front plate is designed with FleXorb technology, a thick gel-like insert that provides outstanding shot impact absorption. Bauer’s segmented dual-density foam abdominal pad provides additional protection for the abdomen and hip areas with restricting mobility. The fit comes from the ergonomic 2″ elastic band around the waist and 1″ adjustable leg straps ensuring a comfortable safe fit. Icewarehouse

Features:

37.5® Technology and Sanitized® technology

FleXorb front plate

Comfort Edge

Adjustable strapping

 

Reviews: 4.7 out of 5, with 7 reviews

Color: Black & Yellow

Size: Senior; 32inch – 38inch / 81cm – 97 cm

Price: $69.99 – $79.99

 

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Gear Hockey

Hockey Helmet Review – CCM Tacks 110 Helmet

CCM Tacks 110 Helmet

Overview:

The newest addition to the Resistance helmet family, the RES 110 Helmet includes an improved multi-density foam liner. Scientists indicate that brain injuries and concussions are mainly due to linear and rotational accelerations of the brain. No hockey helmet can prevent or eliminate the risk of head injury, including concussions.

The Tacks 110 features a 2-piece shell with the same pro-preferred look used in the top-of-the-line Tacks 710 model. This shell’s geometry helps to absorb impacts from all areas. The construction also includes plenty of air venting throughout the shell. This venting system helps to keep your head cool during games, whether you’re breaking a sweat in warm-ups or hopping on the ice in overtime. And with a professional look, this helmet has a style that any level of player can appreciate. Comfortability and fit are also enhanced with the single tool-free adjustment mechanism found throughout the Tacks line. This system uses an occipital adjustment tool at the back of the shell, allowing you to expand and contract the helmet to give you a personalized fit. A helmet, like any piece of protective gear, must fit correctly if the protective and comfort features are to function as intended. The Tacks 110 uses this adjustment feature to ensure that you are getting the best fit possible with this model. Purehockey

Features:

LINER: Multi-density foam liner developed to help manager a variety of impacts
ADJUSTMENT:
Single-tool free adjustment, that allows for an easy alteration at the back of the helmet for a customized fit and high-level comfort.
SHELL:
Designed to maximize protective capabilities and a pro preferred look and shape to help absorb impacts.

Reviews: 4.2 out of 5, with 5 reviews

Color: Black, White or Navy

Size: XS – L

Price: $74.99 – $85.99

Categories
Gear Hockey

Hockey Skates Review – CCM Tacks 9050

Overview:

The CCM Tacks 9050 ice hockey skate is designed for the recreational skater but with a few more features that make it better suited for individuals looking to get into the game of hockey. An upgraded, heavier tongue and thermo-moldable boot will provide the novice hockey player the right amount of performance as they figure out their stride, and the protection necessary to mix it up on the ice with confidence. Purehockey

 

Features:

QUARTER PACKAGE: Injected Technology with Synthetic Composite. Durable boot with structural stiffness.
LINER:
HD Micro Fiber. Comfortable and high resistance to wear.
TONGUE:
7mm felt for comfort and protection.
OUTSOLE:
Injected outsole helps energy player’s transfer with every stride.
FOOTBED:
CCM footbed provides support and comfort.
HOLDER/RUNNER:
SpeedBlade Pro is a non-replaceable stainless steel blade with an elevated holder for increased attack angle.

Reviews: 5 out of 5, with 8 reviews

Size: Junior & Senior

Price: $150 – $190