215BroadStBullies610

FYI: Preorder for the just the R1 chassis went up to $139!

Assuming that Marsblade's stock wheel option hasn't changed, their wheels are soft. I upgraded the wheels on my O1's to the Pure +2. I haven't used them outdoors but as soon as I'm able to get the R1's installed on my other pair of ice skates, the O1 setup will be used primarily for outdoor skating.

Yea, I'm in the "wait and see" mode. Things have been shut down here in the Philadelphia area so I can only imagine how things are up I-95. Will look forward to things getting back to "normal" especially for those of you in the Greater NYC area! And when that time comes, I'd like to be considered for SJ2020.

That's a good question. As once as I get the R1, I'll start using my O1s for outdoor training. I didn't want to use the O1s for training since I've been using them for playing and didn't to shorten the chassis' life by doing both. I have another pair of ice skates that have been sitting dormant for months and will look to the MSH Proshop to make the conversion for me. I expect good things out of the R1.

The O1s definitely sit tall. That was the biggest adjustment when I first started skating with. It was/is still worth given the much easier transition from playing ice to roller and vice versa much more smoother. From the looks of it, the R1s do look to have a lower profile.

Good question. I've been using the off-ice training model for 2 years now for playing and I've really enjoyed them. I've always been concerned about how the O1s would hold up though. The R1 chassis is what I hope is the right upgrade.

Literally just saw this on Instagram. Looks like this may be my next big hockey purchase haha!

Gov. Tom Wolf extended our state's "Stay-At-Home" order till April 30, 2020. I'm not surprised that we'd be away from the rinks for a bit just crazy to think how long this could last. As long as I can stay healthy, it will be really hard for me to complain. Edit: Actually is for 33 PA counties but it looks like he may just have the order for the whole state (makes more sense to me).

I've learned so much about the technical aspects of hockey business from the website. Always appreciate all that this forum offers.

Good question. Well, I go with two sticks: the original Easton Synergy OPS and the NikeBauer ONE95. Both those sticks just struck a cord with me. Definitely have more modern pieces of equipment that aren't sticks but we could be here all day haha.

Yep yep, here on the other side of the state, we've been going through closures since last week. I live in one of the 4 counties surrounding Philadelphia where most of Pennsylvania's cases have resided. Was just talking to one of my fellow officials and we also think it will be more than 2 weeks that rinks will be closed. Just stay safe people. Weird working from home and there are no sports to look forward to but rather be safe.

I think 2 weeks will be the minimum. I can see some rinks (and other establishments) going past that threshold. Once again, if everyone would just put a pause (as much as possible) on their normal lives for 2 weeks, I think it would be much easier to weed out the those who should get tested/those who are test positive. We all know that won't happen though so I don't expect to touch the ice/sport court any time soon.

The rinks that I play out of are all closed for the next 1-2 weeks. It will be the longest I haven't touched the ice in a minute ha. But if this will be my biggest problem, then I can live with it. I just hope people take the necessary precautions so that the people able to fight this virus can do their jobs.

Appreciate the feedback. As a fellow official myself, I've been eyeing up VH/Trues for about 2-3 years now. Another officiating buddy of mine also complained about the durability of the True skates (his pair is the 1st Gen). I've been pushing off the purchase because I don't want "eat" $1K in vain. The incentives are there though (e.g. custom fit, tax write-off). Interested to hear from other officials and their respective experiences.

Just saw the skates on Instagram. Not my favorite Bauer design.

Off the top of the dome: 1. Easton Mako 2. Bauer Vapor 1X 3. Nike Bauer One70 4. CCM Super Tacks 852

I think there is a time and place for everything. I'm an unapologetic sneaker head so I appreciate footwear that covers the color spectrum. When it comes to skates though, less is more in my opinion. I understand that companies will use anything as a marketing tool but I personally would keep things simple. Two of my more recent skates (Easton Mako and Bauer Vapor 1X) are probably two of most favorite in regards to performance but way too loud of colorways for my liking haha. I liked the looks of the Easton Mako II and Bauer Vapor 1X LE much more.

Sucks man but I just see this as others have mentioned: you're long overdue for a break. As someone who plays, officiates and coaches ice hockey, I've learned to not over extend myself. With officiating, I usually don't work hockey during the off-season. For playing, I'll skip games/pickup sessions if I'm not up to it. Even though you're a goalie, if you can't stand being with your team, then miss a game. Unless you're getting paid to play the game, you're not obligated to be there night in and night out. I've been fortunate that I haven't gotten to the point of calling it quits on hockey. And no should unless they are moving onto something better.

I see. Thanks for the insight.

Is that just a result of shooting in JPEG? Stinks that most uploads don't take on RAW files. Regardless, appreciate the photos!

That's good to know about their skates. I think I'll have to find a shop that can handle this in the meantime. Maybe spring for a pair of True skates in 2020? We'll see. Thanks.

I'm starting my 5th season an assistant coach. It is quite a dynamic as you'll bring your own experience to the ice but will have to answer to someone else (aka the head coach). I'm fortunate as I knew my head coach back when we played JRs and reconnected again years later during men's league (that's when he had invited me to join him on the bench). This will be the second year that we'll be coaching 18U Tier II (will also be my fourth year as AC at the high school level). I'm also in my early 30's. I mention all these things to give you a sense of where I'm coming from. One thing that I know is that you and the head coach will have to be on the same page with everything when it comes to public communication. On the bench. In the locker room. During practice. Talking with parents around the rink. This is so important so that there is one voice heard during the season. If there is any disagreement, do it in a way that only you two know. If there is more than one voice, there will confusion and divide. It is inevitable. Another thing that is very important is that you'll have to relate to your players on a personal level. My generation is the last of a dying breed. The coaches I had just coached and didn't care about how I was doing. Or try to have some from of commonality outside of hockey. They said and I did. And if I didn't fall in line, I was punished. That really doesn't fly at most youth levels anymore. It was the biggest adjustment for me but I've now had the chance to coach some the same kids on multiple teams I know that it works. I can get on them when they're wrong and they're less likely to take it personally. I know here in the USA, Safe Sport and physiological wellbeing has been at the forefront of coaching clinics for the last 5+ years. Things have changed significantly over a relatively short amount of time. Knowing the game is only a portion of coaching now. Will be interested to see how @romdj does in your first season.

Overall, how have peoples' skates held up? I only ask because of the picture below. Happened during my shinny skate this morning. I got hit with a shot that I was trying to avoid but didn't notice it till I was taking my skates off in the locker room. I knew that one day that I'd want a pair of Trues. I'm now looking at the reality of getting new skates after 3-4 years (much sooner than I thought I would be). The good thing is that I have a pair of Bauer Nexus skates that I use for officiating that I could tolerate when playing/coaching.

I've been using Bauer fishbowls for the majority of the time that I started officiating (heading into Season 9). Since we have ice all year round in the Philadelphia area, I'll deal with fogging mainly when I head to the bench after a shift. Even without wiping, as soon as I start skating again, the fog will dissipate. I don't see myself going back to a cage on ice. Now with inline, I don't think I'd ever use a fish bowl because I feel that I'd be dealing with fog all the time (regardless of what I'm doing during the game).

Hope everyone had fun this past weekend! I aim to be there next summer.