DarkStar50

On warmup suits, our Pro Shop takes a credit card number with expiration date when we do the fitting with sizing samples in the spring. When the warmup suits are picked up in the shop in late August/early September, the customer pays at that time. We clearly state during the fitting session and it is written on the order form which they sign to confirm the size they tried on is the size they are getting(that's another story) that if they do not pick up the warmup suit by September 10, we will charge their credit card. There have been no problems with this procedure. Our Pro Shop does stock the custom team gloves, pants, and shells. They are mandatory as part of the player contract to purchase. The rink does own the Pro Shop however, we have had hardly any problems with that either in selling our inventory. Having a private organization come to you is certainly a risk as the people in charge usually only stick around for as long as their kid is a player in the organization.

That's not related to what this post is about. 🙂

Watch a vintage game from 20 years ago or more on NHL Network now and just look at all the brands that are gone. Each brand drove the others to innovate and punch through the envelope back then. Now ? Not so much. The access to Pro Stock is also another pipeline that has effected everyone in the chain.

Given that there will be no new FFS from Bauer this season, I thought it was in the public interest to share the information for those thinking of moving from wire to a bubble. I think you may have misunderstood my post. 🙂

Bauer pulled full face shields from Bauerbiz for dealers. I contacted my rep and all FFS are on allocation. I placed a few orders for fall delivery. I don't know if I will get all that I asked for. Word was that big box wanted all the inventory. I can't confirm that but wouldn't be surprised. CCM also pulled FFS from their B2B. So if don't hesitate if you are thinking of going away from wire to a bubble.

^^ oh yeah, lots of back checking pressure from 39 Blue. !! Next time, show us in real speed,!!

The only question that matters : With the $400 stick, did you at least score a goal ?? !!! JK, thanks for your info.

In other words, the home machine is only worth a single skating use per sharpening ? Constantly sharpening your skates after single use would seem to directly effect the longevity/life of your steel ? Expense of using your ring constantly leading to quicker replacement ?

I have seen so many Olympic gold medal figure skaters train and coach at my rink since 2001. The best skaters in the world can teach hockey players a lot about edge control, balance, power skating(figure skaters keep their skates on the ice through most of their program) and skating efficiency of motion. Elite figure skating coaches can recognize the tiniest flaw in their skater's technique. A friend of mine is a former NHL linesman that used to work with a figure skating coach every summer deep into his career just to maintain his edge control and remain at that top level. The best skaters in any rink are the figure skaters, not the hockey players.

^^ Surfer dude isn't into sharpening eh.

Summer starting year 3 on Marleau's deal at $6mil+ cap hit is when 34, 29, and 16 all come off 3 year rookie deals? If so, this can't be good. They are going to want to give 34 a long term deal, no bridge deal, and we are going to be talking $$$$. 29 and 16 won't come cheap either. IMHO, this "character guy, in the room, leadership" role is the most over-hyped thing in hockey chemistry, Are you basically saying your vets from this past year didn't have it or just an excuse to justify signing a few vets on light $ deals?

Home run helmets. Both extremely comfortable. CCM has two great models for retail. Plus they hit the price points and leave money left over for tape and sharpening !!

I understand the point you are making and it is valid. I wasn't clear about mine by referencing the coffee machine analogy. The market for coffee machines and then K-Cups is huge as well as your car sales point. My point, made not clear at all by me, was just the smaller size of the market for Sparx. That will be the challenge after the first wave of sell-through. Axxion89, sorry for the misunderstanding.

Comparing an appliance that you can buy for $100 and makes your daily cup or two or three of coffee to a $900 machine sharpening your skates once a week or every two weeks is not the comparison you want to make. And that edge needs to be level in that picture.

^^^ ha, after seeing this, he will offer MSH one in a nano-second. Gotta push that product out the door because the product life cycle clock is ticking. Early adopters phase is over.

Cows don't leave barns. Horses do.

Write his mom and dad. Ask his linemate to ask him. Hang out in the hotel lobby where the Oilers stay on the road.

Write him a fan letter ! That's what we did when we were kids.

I believe pros skate more alike than you may think. The best place to watch a pro skate is behind the goal line. Watch any NHL skater perform a C cut breaking out of his zone as you watch his stride from the ass end and think what you may have in common with him. Sorry, but for most of us, probably not much. And if you really want to have some fun, google any Youtube clip of Paul Coffey from the 80s power skating(that would be without lifting either leg off the ice, just shimmying his hips from side to side like elite figure skaters do for speed before jumps) goal line to goal line to see how stride and technique take professional hockey and figure skaters apart from everyone else.

End of the day, there is how we skate and there is how pros skate. Sorry folks, ROH has nothing to do with it. Those guys flat out know how to skate.

Only the goalies and Kessel below 1/2". An older chart from a few years ago had Crosby at 7/16", now 9/16". I wouldn't be surprised if McDavid is above 1/2" for more glide.

Even with Black Friday sale, Blademaster is less expensive.

^^ It's not about how long you've been doing it, it's about how long you've been doing it well !! A dedicated mentor and you are on your way to learning. Practice, practice, practice.

I'm not going to say skate sharpening is easy but I don't agree with this idea that it takes years to master. It is a skill that takes practice to get started, confidence in your ability, and a work ethic to do the job right every time. Like any job, it is a matter of caring about what you do. It's not rocket appliances.