StinkyPinky

I just picked up used Reebok "XT" shoulders and elbows in Edmonton. Trying to research them a bit for the equivalency. I suspected they were CT offerings. I find the shoulders really cool as they are pretty minimalistic in terms of padding, but the materials seem of high quality (like 2k/3k protection w/ 8k/9k materials). Anyone with extra info on Reebok XT? Helmet: Bauer 4500 Visor: Bauer ProClip Shoulder: Cooper SP34 Elbow: CCM ASV Pro (Long) Gloves: Warrior Alpha DX Pants: Bauer Nexus Pro Stock Shins: CCM 21k Pro Sticks: P28 or PP77 whatever I can get... Nexus 1N, Supreme 2S, ALPHA LX2, etc. Skates: Bauer Vapor Hyperlite

Anecdotal : I'm almost exactly 2 years into a pair of Hyperlite (the original ones, not the new 2's). Skating in a competitive Men's league 1-3 ice times a week. 0 Issues. I was hesitant to go for this new tongue and injection eyelets. No big issues except that: The skate itself feels "softer" compared to Supremes I feel the tongue is less protective than thick (48/52oz) felt Original non-waxed laces got shredded and tips were junk

Warrior Alpha LX Pro is $179.98 CAD right now on Boxing Week sale at Sportchek (Canada). They are calling it 1/2 off from $359.99. btw $180 CAD is about $135 USD I'm not sure where in BC OP lives, but personally as a former AB resident I would just lurk on a few big hockey shop websites for discount old stock sticks AND given the chance creep over every stick selection in every sport/hockey store I come across. It certainly helps to be near a big urban center like Edmonton, Calgary, or Vancouver.

Personally I was a PP77 player. I loved the curve and the square toe. Typically I play C/RW, but for ~4 seasons switched to RD and did find the P28 a bit difficult. Slap shots and passes can be too high. You have to adapt your play, but the curve can perform. As I've been playing RW this season I fell out of practice on point shots somewhat and, for example, stepped into a tee'd up rebound from up top this season and blew it 2" over the crossbar 🥲...I blame the P28 for not scoring.

The older white Warrior HD Pro are very protective. They have extended forearm protection. Currently I would personally look at the CCM Tacks ASV Pro. If I'm not mistaken they also have a "Pro Long" with extended forearm protection, but likely not retail. I never once had the described elbow thing, so probably can't relate or make a good recommendation. These "jofa style" Warrior & CCM elbows are the most protective imo.

Just skated with a guy using FT4 (not the Pro), seemed actually better for breathability because it's almost like a padded fabric rather than the foam in the Pro.

I tend to agree as I don't see much significant skate innovation in the last decade since something like the Bauer Supreme TotalOne. STEP definitely pushed the Runner tech. Like a well fitting NOS pair of TotalOne with new STEP Blacksteel in them are comparable to any new skate imo. Yes, some new one's will be slightly better or preferred by players, but I don't see significant technical advances to distinguish them. That being said I just ordered Hyperlights due to a pretty good discount 😁. I'd have been happy with 2x Pro if they had my size around the same price point, but I think that ship sailed last year.

Winnwell/Cooper/Bauer SK2000 are the best! I had an old one from my Dad that I wore until the interior padding was so hard/yellow/disgusting it was dangerous and leaving flakes in my hair. SK600 is dusty, but Gretzky wore one in his youth, so gets a pass. A good quality Cooper SK200 helmet &/or the Gretzky bucket. Classic Jofa/RBK Elbows that nearly everyone wants, can't find, and pros still wear (7k Pro?). Totally biased opinion: I'm ok with "updated for modern play", but for something like shoulders I hate the huge bulky midsections/breast-plate, collar, and weigh-adding features. Like instead of super light plastic shoulder caps they wrap the cap in foam and material that is heavier and absorbs heavy moisture on the ice. I would prefer a classic look, and "updated materials for beer league performance". Like Erik Karlsson's frankenstein Eagle shoulders with Bauer Vapor caps: Mobile, light, only protective where they need to be and "classic". Not just slapping a retro name on low-end gear.

I'd go somewhere with plenty of ODR. In my experience that would be Alberta. I was just back in St. Albert, AB for Christmas time. It's a community of ~55k people on the NW edge of Edmonton. 5 indoor NHL ice sheets with regular drop-in/shinny/scrimmage schedules 20 outdoor, 7 with heated shacks > https://stalbert.ca/rec/parks/sports/outdoor-rinks/ City of Edmonton nearby (hockey crazy city with ~50 indoor rinks, countless ODR, 16 divs of men's league, etc.) NHL Games in Edmonton/Calgary nearby Jasper/Banff somewhat nearby (3-5h drive) and offer amazing outdoor skating opportunities Great exchange right now on USD/EUR to CAD (you'll be rich) Lowest sales tax in Canada @ 5% Legal recreational cannabis Nowadays I just bring my skates in my luggage. Keep a stick, some pucks, tape, and gloves at my parents house. I just head out to the ODR generally anytime it's not absolutely freezing or snowing. Ice is so good (most have an attendant working 40h a week at each location). Great for conditioning the legs, practicing shots, and building up your creativity. Costs nothing and is so beautiful to enjoy the winter outdoors until 10:30-11:00 any night (they are all lit). (pic is Lake Louise Alberta)

I only rock the Warrior W28 Yakupov sticks for this reason.