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Ever read "Confessions of a Crazy Hockey Parent" by Bob McKenzie? I happen to be re-reading it right now and am in the chapter where his youngest son sustains a career-ending concussion. I have to admit I saw too much of a parallel. I truly hope that her road ahead isn't bumpy for the long-term. I'm less worried about her hockey career and far more worried about her life and long-term well-being. Physically and emotionally. I am really glad you said that. I hadn't even considered it. I posted to get the situation off my chest, but the best suggestions come from unexpected places. I'm short on jerseys and its a pain to get a single one printed...but in the big picture, letting her keep it is so much the right thing to do. Thank you, my friend.

I have the exact same issue (or had as it's solved now). Mine was so bad the tendons on the top of my foot are extremely inflamed even after extended periods of not skating at all. IMO having a felt tongue with a half plastic insert (up to 3-4 eyelet from top, so not to interfere with flex) and a Maltese gel insert in the inside for comfort would be the ultimate set-up. I think a home made 55flex system would really help you here. I would make out of a stiff leather and make the eyelets extend half as far as the 55flex system. Would be amazing on MLX IMO. I loved those skates except the issue you have and the depth for me. Pretty sure they're out of business now. The 55flex idea is good, however the product was average at best (wrong plastic, to brittle) they were to expensive for what they are and their CS wasn't great either. All in all, make your own!

An outstanding act on your behalf that she will surely appreciate...well done!

So sorry to hear about your player ... that's rough, poor kiddo. Hopefully, like Beardo says, the road is not so bumpy as it appears now. Good luck to her.

I'm gonna get these. I like that companies are making accessories to help skates fit and/or perform better.

Great deal. I paid either 60 or 70 just for the X80's when I originally got them. I like that color scheme too.

A local B-level group was in need of a goalie today, and I decided it was about time for an ass-kicking, so I signed on. I've skated with them before - they are loud and competitive, but no goonery. Most of them are ex-college or prep school players and big shots aside (plenty of people can have big shots) they play fast. I didn't do as well as I wanted, but I think I held my own considering their experience and skill levels versus my own. They play to five goals, then swap sides. I think the other goalie and I were even - two and two. This week is a test of my goaltending endurance: I will play with my ambulance company tomorrow night, and then Saturday morning with the Russians.

Sending positive JuJu to you Chad and to your player, MThockeydad.

One of the girls on the 14U team I manage and assistant coach is now completely out for the season due to a bad concussion (occurred 2 months ago). Here's the heartbreaking text I got from her last night: "I am very sorry but I won't be able to play hockey for the rest of the year. I wish I could it is really fun especially when u have a great coach like u. I went to the neurologist and he said that I have a moderate concussion and that some of my wires to my brain cells broke off when I hit my head and the wires started decomposing and giving off toxins which went into the liquid that my brain is floating in and killed my neurons also when the wires broke off it killed those cells also. I am so sorry we will bring the jersey back soon." Super sweet kid...she was never really engaged playing mites/squirts, took a year or two off, then really connected with our group of girls this year and started playing solid and loving hockey. Its put a lump in my throat all day, and I can only imagine how she and her parents feel. I hate it when kids hurt.Please send up a prayer or good vibes on her behalf that she gets well, not for hockey, but for her life and well-being.Fellow hockey players and parents: life is short and hockey is awesome--broken bones heal and we can live without a tooth or two--but please keep your head off the ice and out of the boards. Play hard, and respect your opponents' brains, too. We only get one.

As Mojo stated, that slippery feeling is what you are supposed to get while gliding. When gliding, you are getting a hollow that feels more like a 2 inch hollow. Yet, when you dig in, you get the bite of a 1/2" hollow with 100/50. You just have to trust your edges to be there.

First time I skated on FBV I thought I had no edges. Mustering up some courage I decided to skate hard and make some sharp cuts and stops. I then realized that what I was first experiencing was the glide factor associated with FBV. Moving from 100/50 to 90/75 is going to get you less bite. In fact, quite a bit less bite.