bondoao1

I was going to mention the Easton aluminum shaft sticks. Mine lasted half a game before the shaft kinked/bent in the middle when taking a slap shot from the top of the left circle.

Wait, you are supposed to retape sticks? LOL I used to retape my stick after every game, but I've been lazy lately I haven't taped my 2N since I got it. I have about 10 pick up games on the stick now. I have put an extra strip along the bottom of the blade tho.

I think it does protect it to an extent. Other people with more knowledge will chime in tho.

I use the Ice Warehouse branded " IW Hockey PRO II team carry bag ". I have had mine for 4 years now with minimal wear, and I play once a week. It has durable pockets on each side for skates, and a few mesh pockets for stuff like tape, and socks and jerseys etc. It also has the U shaped zipper and opens nice and wide so there are no issues getting gear in or out. For $45, it has been more than worth it.

If the LHS is a store with lots of selection, I would make the 2hr drive, as I drive 1.5hrs to my LHS it is worth it in the long run. My #1 reason I suggest this is because pads dont always fit the way the sizing charts suggest. It's a pain in the you know what, trying to deal with returning pads, only to try others, and return them too. (My friend did this instead of going with me) When you are getting your initial set up, you can try on all the sizes and models of pads and helmets and find what fits you best, and after that you can place orders online since you know your size/model. Everyone is built differently, and what fits one guy, might not fit you. Even the shape of your head will dictate what model of helmet you should get, and the wrong model of helmet can give you headaches. I went to my LHS when I was starting to play again after a 10 year absence, and I have a mixture of brand/model pads, but they all fit me and I'm very comfortable when playing.

Ot/ I can't believe Ocean Hockey Supply is still around... I used to order all my gear from their catalog from the '80's through the '90's. Then their prices went up and selection seemed to get fairly slim. That's when Great Skate came to my attention and they had better selection and pricing. Sorry, just hit a nostalgic moment.

LMAO!

Yes both pump and lace lock are gone. I really like the lace lock on my 46K's, good thing I wont be in the market for a new pair any time soon.

Helmet - CCM FL60Cage - CCM FL80Shoulder pads - Bauer Nexus N7000Elbows - Bauer Nexus N9000Gloves - Bauer Vapor X80Pants - CCM Tacks 2052Shins - CCM Tacks 4052Skates - CCM Ribcor 44K w/ black steel runnersSticks - CCM Tacks 4052 85 flex / CCM Ribcor 44K 75 flex

I found the article I was talking about which explains the reason. "While Therma Blade received approvals for its blades from the NHL, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey months ago, the poor reviews from Draper and Lapointe have prompted the NHLPA to balk at signing off on the fledgling product. And without the approval of the players' union, the heated blades, which are attached to boots of existing skates, would no longer be able to be used in NHL games, which would be a key marketing tool for the Quebec company." https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2008/02/09/great_ones_blades_a_dud_players_report.htmlhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2008/02/09/great_ones_blades_a_dud_players_report.html

From what I read, They were not allowed in the NHL because the NHLPA voted against using them. 4/5 players that were given thermablades didn't like them. On topic with SK8t fuel, this stuff sounds like a cross between car wax and rain x, I might give it a try one of these days.