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　　　 Custom Easton V9E sticks. Left hand, grip surface, 80flex and my own blade pattern. The pattern is based on Roenick. I cut its toe off 1cm shorter. My shooting skill uses much stick's tortion so I love this oval neck stick!

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/files/file/174-2014-bauer-hockey-catalogue/ For the first time ever, skates aren't the first page in a Bauer catalogue; this year, it's pretty much everything else, and here's why: The two major technologies that Bauer's introducing to market in 2014 are FleXorb and 37.5. FleXorb was created out of a partnership with G-Form (MSH had reviewed the G-Form shirts a couple of years ago). In the performance apparel, the FleXorb application is Poron XRD is placed in strategic places in the apparel to provide additional impact absorption; the difference between the shirts that we reviewed and the Bauer pieces is that there is a flexible fabric surrounding the Poron, which will allow it to move better. (The G-Form shirt tended to bunch up where the Poron was.) Cocona 37.5 is a fabric in which instead of wicking moisture from the shirt and putting it on top of the fabric (which then goes somewhere, namely your equipment), it uses your body heat to evaporate it, leaving a dry shirt and dry equipment. Helmets - New helmet in the Re-Akt 100; with surprisingly a pretty big overhaul coming from the original. The Suspend-Tech2 liner has been tweaked - it's a 4-way stretch fabric with Poron molded on it; since now it has different stretch zones/attachment points, it has greater rotational impact properties coming from Re-Akt. The main foam has also changed - their VTX foam won't fade like the Vertex did as it has a different film on top of the foam. Also, the back of the helmet features 4 Seven technology pods that is embedded in the foam for those falls in which a player falls backwards and straight on the helmet. The adjustment system is also different - it is now called YourFit. The side pads are spring-loaded and have a bit of give to it, and are connected by a strap (the catalogue calls it Curv, but the final version is not) which pulls it in around the sides and rear. The tool-less adjustment on the 100 is actually inverted from the Re-Akt - so just imagine the lock flipped upside down. The occipital lock is different as well - very similar to what was on the 9900, and now, you can put helmet stickers on it again :) The front of the helmet has a ventilation port on top as well as a wicking liner that pushes sweat towards the temples, aided by channels, so sweat will go away from falling in front of the helmet. It'll be available in 21 shell/24 insert colors and fully customizable at the NY factory. Another thing to note is that the helmet combos have additional options for retailers; they can now order sets done with smaller/bigger cages (e.g., S helmet with M cage, or S with XS cage) The Re-Akt 100 is more of a traditional fit; it's fitting a bit narrower than Re-Akt even though it is a bigger shell. $269.99 helmet only, $309.99 combo. The rest of the helmets are unchanged. Facial remains unchanged for most part, however there are a few new models - bringing back the shield/cage combo in the Hybrid. Also, the Profile II is a new face mask for 2014 - for those who prefer the flat face (580) style, however, with oval bars. Will come in I2, silver, black and white and will retail for $40. 9900 and 5100 cages are gone. Gloves - new line for Vapor; starting out at the APX2 Pro, which has always been the "pro" version of their top-end Vapor. The biggest difference you'll see in the APX2 Pro is that the foams are dual-density and backhand pad will be Poron sandwiched between comfort foam, with a AXSuede Quattro ivory-colored palm. The inside liner of the APX2 Pro glove is 37.5 (same as the performance apparel, there's a pattern here) Now, going down to the APX2 glove, you're going to get triple-layer Aerolite with a thermoform able foam backhand pad. The cuff on the APX2 is a flared cuff (those who remember Techniflex gloves...that's the inspiration) and comes with AXSuede Quattro palms, however, they are colored to match the accent color of the glove. Supreme and Nexus lines unchanged. Protective - two line changes, including a complete overhaul in the Vapor line. The Vapor line is primarily an Aerolite construction, in which in the caps, sternum and back spine, the padding is a combination of materials that are heat-fitted together and molded into shape, resulting in a very light pad - in the CCM CL range. On the shoulder pad, there is a thin piece of plastic to keep the cap's shape, and it's NHL-compliant. The liner is 37.5 on all pieces, and the elbow pad is a completely new pad, with a soft elbow cap. The Nexus line has increased EPP in the shoulder, sternum and back, as well as a 3-piece construction. The shin straps on the Nexus 1000 didn't gain much traction, so they've gone to a Supreme-style strap. Also, the entire Nexus 8000 line has the 37.5 liner and has gained some blue accents for shelf appeal. New pant line for Vapor - with added adjustability in the APX2 pant - the pant can be dropped 1" for added length. The spine and kidneys of the pant is Aerolite, with 840 denier overlay panels in the thigh and hip. 37.5 liner, as well as suspender buttons - which have been absent from quite a few top-end pants lately. Skates - funny that it's so low on here, but two new lines in the Supreme and Nexus. Starting with the MX3, which has a beefed up tendon guard - still hinged (actually 5º more range of motion than NXG) and the injected facing that debuted on the APX2, but with a twist (or lack thereof.) The holes actually have two small teeth in it, which lock the laces better. When you pull on the laces, it sits in the groove between the teeth, keeping them flat as well as keeping them from shifting. Also, the facing wraps better than the APX2 version. The 3-Flex insert is also modified - it flexes much better because there is a notch between the middle of the insert and the wings which came on the NXG. HydraMax2 liner with wear patch - just like on APX2. $849.99/$599 Jr, dropping on April 17. The 190 skate has the same tendon guard, however with traditional eyelets and a shorter version of the 3pc felt tongue that's on the APX2. It'll come stock with LS3 - very similar to the version that NHL players order. HydraMax liner, at $699.99/$499 Jr. The 180 skate will also feature Curv (albeit not as stiff as the top versions due to different internal ankle workings) AND a flexible tendon guard (NXG spec) at the $499.99 price point. It'll have a 3-pc tongue (however 48 oz thickness with a traditional lacebite protector, and a polished LS Edge runner. The Nexus line has been reworked at the top end - featuring a Curv-based boot in the 8000. Still accommodating a wide foot with a high instep, there's more definition in the ankle/heel/forefoot areas due to the addition of Curv. You'll still have a felt tongue however, it's the 3-pc version with a big lacebite protector. The 7000 is a traditionally-made skate, essentially same spec as the Vapor X90 in terms of material. That's the skate you'll see most Nexus market share in the NHL. The 6000 will continue the Flexposite model (FL12/Nexus 800) on down the line. Bauer now has 5 skate models under 800g. Sticks - Supreme and Vapor are unchanged as those change in the fall (New Supreme models in the fall) but the Nexus will now have a standard release. Gone is the all-black look with some grey and light blue, and still the same flex profile as the previous Nexus, however, a new blade - it has the Aerofoam from the APX2 in the heel, however, a new core, which is their PowerCore 4. The 7000 loses the Textreme and goes to 12k shaft and blade, in a fused construction. PS - notice the lack of OD1N product. ;) Special thanks for Keith, JD and CJ for having video conferences with me in October - it's been helpful for the past couple of years, and gives me quite a bit of material.

Insurance finally got back to me about the car issue I vented about. The adjuster apologized for taking so long to get back to me and told me that: - They're writing me a cheque instead of repairing the car and the $1000 deductible will be deducted from that cheque. I did manage to get the amount bumped up a little when I mentioned recently purchasing a new battery and two new tires. - They don't consider me at fault for the accident, my rates will not go up and I won't have to use my accident forgiveness option for this claim. - The subrogation department is going to go after the city for the claim and if they're successful I will get my $1000 deductible back (I was going to bring up subrogation, but the adjuster mentioned it first). - I can take the two winter tires off the car and replace them with my all season tires if I'd like. As long as there are 4 tires on the car that's fine. - I don't have rental coverage, but thankfully my in-laws have loaned me their second car. If I do rent a car at any time before I get a new car I can send them the receipts and they can try to get that money back from the city as well. Now I'll likely be out of pocket a bit by the time I find another good used car (I'm likely going to try to find another 2004-2008 Mazda 6 hatchback with a V6 so I can use the winter tires, filters, and oil I already have, but will consider other options), but at least my rates won't go up. So it is still a hassle, but not as bad as I originally thought.

The kids I coach are starting to figure things out; they now look like miniature beer leaguers instead of semi-mobile pylons. Go kids go.

Must be a pretty decent skate if thats the price range. new Supreme 180 is 499. But discounted Mako is probably better then M8?

It's not so bad if they are doing it because there wasn't anyone more qualified available. When those people think they are great coaches and prevent more knowledgeable people from getting involved, that's a different story.