akravetz

Yeah, he has always liked Vapors in the past as he likes a more narrow shin but I was looking online and they are so much money. Then I saw other brands and I was trying to think what was comparable for less money. 🙂 Hockey dad. here. He's primarily a center but also the 7th D on the team as he used to play D for about four years before they finally decided he was better at center.

My son plays Tier 2 hockey, in the Chicago leagues and it's pretty chippy. He's 4'10, 90 to 95 pounds. He's a centerman whose not afraid to mix it up in the corners or in front of the center. He needs new shins but I'm looking at all the different brands and I can't make heads or tails of things. Thoughts on what a good set would be or better yet, what to look for as every brand as their own thing. Keep in mind that I just got new skates and will need new shoulders and elbows within a few months. Puberty sucks. Andy in Peoria.

I'm way late to this but as a lifelong Blues fan, I still can't believe it. Been so busy at work that I haven't had time to log in and read the thread. Finally did tonight and glad I did. It was a helluva series.

I wear a helmet, gloves and a cup. But at times I wish had more. I coach 9 and 10 year olds (squirts). I've gotten nailed in the shin by a puck and I have been knocked over. It's not horrible. Worst was when I was coaching 6U and a kid who was three kicked me with his skates. I bled. Wasn't happy. Kid sat in the box for about 15 minutes while I calmed down. 🙂 Andy in Peoria

This is GREAT. I finally have a reason that I can tell the guys on my beer league team why I'm the slowest guy out there. 🙂

Thanks. I'll try it but I think I'll try it on a old, used pair. The idea of soaking my gear just scares me.

Sadly, I have neither. :) I take the padding out and let it air out. I have washed that but I think after 10 years or so of use (40 to 60 games a year plus stick and puck), the stench is engrained.

THey are little craters and pits on the hollow of the blade as well as on the side of the blade. Mostly near the heel but one big one in the middle. It looks like little black dots on the silver steel. I have N5000 plastic holders and I'm not sure of the type of blade. The boots are in good shape and the plastic holders are too. They are beat up, nicked and the boot has some nicks and tears but overall, for 10 years of use, they are in pretty good shape. I'll get a picture soon.

Hi all, I don't post much but I do lurk a bit. I have a question. I have Graf skates that are about 10 years old and the blades have some deep nicks in them. The people whom I go to get my blades sharpened say they can't get the nicks out without grinding the steel down a ton. They have said it appears the nicks are kinda starting to rust a bit. First off, for a intermediate, beer-league, house squirt coach, does it really matter? And second, I looked online and called my local store and found blades are about $30. I just want what I have. Is that possible 10 years later? I have Graf G5 Ultras. Thanks Andy

Okay, that makes sense. My have the plastic piece in the calf or the bicep guard starting to eat its way through the fabric. Plus, they stink like holy hell. 🙂 Andy in Peoria

My shins and elbows are both X:30 Vapors from maybe 2010 or so. They are okay but I worry that they are starting to break down. My question. How can you tell if the elbow pad or the shin guard is breaking down foam wise or protective wise before you take a spill. I'm 48. I don't really wanna wind up with a swollen elbow or blown out knee. Thoughts from the gear gurus. Andy in Peoria

I saw Graf advertising on Facebook just recently. I thought they were out of business. Are they still around but under different management or did someone buy the name? Andy in Peoria

My son got a T85 in the PP26 curve. I don't see where that is in the catalog. Is that part of the playrite system? I ask because he's 10 and loves it. I wanna find if the stick is still a current model or not. And if not, what's changed. I see a T90 in here but not a T85. Thanks Andy in Peoria

Thrilled to have David back in St. Louis as he's a terrific player. Kinda cool how he came "full circle."

Thanks. I'll check them out, assuming any are still left. I have been offline due to work and just saw this. Thanks again.

How are those PK sticks. My son, 10, just broke his CCM Tacks 5052 and well, he's 10. He doesn't need a high end stick. He plays defense. I figure for a kid who is 4'3, 65 pounds, any stick will do as long as it's not a huge piece lumber. Are you guys cool with a Graf stick for a kid?

Reebok 8K helmet Me: Me: 5'5, 155 pounds, C leaguer. Learned to play as an adult and been playing for about four years now. Mostly on Defense. Helmet: Medium Fit: 7/10I came from an old CCM helmet which is ancient, so old that much of the padding is gone so when I had a chance to upgrade to a 8K which I was told was a pretty good helmet, I jumped. It's not as easy to adjust as my son's helmet, a Bauer 4500, but it's not bad. The helmet has that tab system where you push up the tabs and move it to fit your head. It sticks a bit so you need to push a bit hard but not too bad. Reebok calls it a Fit Clip. There is also a dial at the back which can adjust the circumstance of the helmet. I like that a lot as i have a weird shaped head (no jokes) and it allows me to get a snug yet not too tight feel. I The difficulty of the Fit Clip is what led to a lower than excellent rating. Protection.I don't know how to rate this as I haven't been clobbered on the head nor been slammed to the ice. I will say it did take a stick to my cage pretty well and the shock was dispersed well throughout the helmet. The helmet has these really nice foam pads on the inside that gives it a well cushioned feel. I have used a 4500 from Bauer and again, my old CCM. The 8K by far has most cushiony feel to it. Weight: 9/10Very light helmet. I have a big cage on my helmet (it's a Bauer transplant onto a Reebok helmet) and you don't even notice the helmet on your head. It breathes well and is very light. My old CCM used to have some slippage from sweat but the Reebok stays dialed in. Tight but not painful and light enough not to notice. Durability. 8/10Used in 10 league games so far and it still looks new. Behind that, I can't comment. Intangibles 9/10I really like this helmet. I feel safer in it and I like the look. It's not as heavy, breathes well and just feels good. I can't put it into words beyond that i just like it. Overall, the helmet is pretty good. and it looks sharp as well.

As a Blues fan, I think this was done not only to save money for Petro et al but also to send a message. David was a scapegoat and a symbol of the Blues' younger guys not getting stuff done. For whatever reason, fans here didn't take to Perron like they have Oshie. it's a shame. Perron's got very good skill and well, I think the Blues are going to regret this. But time will tell. Andy in Peoria

Warrior Hustler pants Me: 5'5, 155 pounds, © leaguer. Learned to play as an adult and been playing for about four years now. Mostly on Defense. Pants: Medium Fit 8/10 The pants are very snug in the legs which is good. Yet, the waist doesn't feel secure. It almost feels like the pants are going to fall off yet they are right. The upper portion of the pant above the belt splays outward almost like a flower. As such, it doesn't have that snug feel that I have around the legs. Overall, they have a hefty feel to them. Many have posted that Warrior tend to run big and well, I can agree to that. I wear a medium in Bauer and in TPS but in these, a medium is not a medium in those brands. I have this constant feeling they are going to fall off but in reality, it's how the company makes their waists. It's more open. Protection 9/10 Been using these guys for about six games in my low-level beer league where high sticks are common, many can't stop and wind up slamming into you like a freight train. I have been leveled a few times and didn't feel a thing. Also, as I play defense, I tend to block shots. I have taken at least two pucks off the thigh pad without feeling a thing. They definitely have more protection than my old TPS ones. Love the tailbone protection. Weight 8.5/10 They are pretty light and I don't notice them at all. I said they were bulky above but once moving, I don't notice them at all. The real issue for me is sitting down to put my skates on. There, the pants are a big bulky but again, skating and playing, no issues. Durability 8/10 I have been using them twice a week for a couple of months or so now. Not a single stitch out of place. Even the sewed-on team logo looks as good as it did when I first got them. So far, very happy with that. Intangibles 8.5/10 I like the breathability of the pants which have the stretchy material in the crotch. The zippers along the legs are nice but I don't use them. I am kinda small as I said so very few things are tight on me. These are snug in the sense that my legs have plenty of room to move but they feel very secure around my quads. Conclusion 8.5/10Overall, a good pant that offers good protection. Like others, I wish Warrior was more true to size as compared to other brands. but I'd consider getting them again.

I find my G5s are heavier than my old Supremes but I like the fit of the G5s more than the Bauer. The ability to punch out the toe cap was huge for me. (pun intended). :) andy

JR, just curious. I see that people refer to the G5 and the 705 in the same category. How can I tell Graf skates by their ranking. In Bauer, they go up in number and it's pretty consistent though it changes from year to year. Still, it's either a 1.0, X1 or X 1 and up. My son wears Eastons and that's pretty consistent. I don't get how to tell what is what with Graf. do they mean it that way so they sound more scientific? I joke but it seems that's the angle they are going for on their Web site (which is terribly hard to read with the black and dark green). And what type of a reputation do Graf pants and shins have? I don't know a single person who uses them. Just curious. Thanks Andy in Peoria

Hmm, okay. Well, I love my skates. Though, I do think the new look is pretty damn sweet.

I see my G5s were eliminated. Any reason why? I love my skates and am curious. It's not a huge deal; but it's interesting to see a pair of skates eliminated after a few years.

Good to see some love for my Blues and for Perron. Relative newcomer and just found out that he had MSH ties. Very cool.