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BenBreeg

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Posts posted by BenBreeg

  2. Posted · Report reply

    21 hours ago, shooter27 said:

    The issue with the current 3 piece elbow pads is that they all have a connected elbow cap with hinge points above and below.  The connected elbow cap is why people have issues with the cap “separating” from the arm when you straighten your arm, like someone mentioned above.   The last elbow pad I really liked was the old Bauer Vapor 4, which was an outgrowth of the original Cooper Techniflex line - these basically went out the door with the advent of the hard plastic elbow cap Jofa’s (which you can’t have anymore for safety).  

    With those Bauer/Cooper’s, the bicep and forearm pieces were attached to each other, creating a single hinge point in line with the elbow, and the elbow cap floated above the elbow and those two pieces.  So when you straightened your arm it was already floating so it didn’t “separate” from the elbow.  If I could find a pair of those I’d still wear them today even though they’d be a bit bulky and they tended to slide down.  I’d have to believe with today’s modern materials, a similar construction would be an awesome pad but apparently there isn’t enough demand for that out there.  

     

    https://www.hockeyworld.com/Bauer-Vapor-4-Elbow-Pads-Senior

    Those are the ones I recently replaced with the STX.  They were old and just wouldn’t stay in place anymore.  Super light and soft though.

    • Like 1

  5. Posted · Report reply

    It will be interesting as you would think that for short duration things like starts and quick changes of direction you would want no absorption of energy because you are looking to maximize the force curve.  But there could be circumstances such as other skating scenarios where you could leverage that springlike effect.  Kind of like how powerlifting bars are stiff and weightlifting bars have a bit of spring in them.   

    • Like 1

  6. Posted · Report reply

    There is a distinct difference between giving negative feedback, even in a negative manner, and abuse.  Yelling at someone and being hard on them isn’t usually abuse.

    i remember coaching ACHA during one of our meetings we had with the captains.  One of them made the comment that he responded better when he was yelled at and ridden hard.  That wasn’t really my style and I had some players that would have wilted if they were always screamed at.  But it was a learning moment for me.  A major part of coaching is knowing exactly how to push each player’s buttons and how far you can go.

    Herb Brooks was brought up earlier.  That was probably a master class.  He picked specific types of players and from everything we have learned he was very deliberate.  He let them channel negativity toward him which helped them gel as a team.  I think he went right to the line at times but it wasn’t abuse because he lost control which I think a lot of coaches do.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    So two years ago I was coming off an almost 10 tear spell where I didn’t play much, just coached.  So once I started up again I found I needed to replace some gear.  These were replacing an old pair of Vapor elbows that really wouldn’t stop sliding down.  I am 6’3”, 180 lbs so on the thin side, was looking for an elbow that would be fairly low profile and would stay in place.  I play mainly regular invite-only games so while the games have a good pace, you don’t have to worry about getting hacked or slashed.  Protection is mainly for stray shots or getting tangled up with someone and going down here and there.

     

    Fit

    I have these in medium.  They have the inner sleeve and a forearm and biceps strap.  The elastic sleeve is nice, I wear short sleeves so, it is right against my skin.  Because I am thin the biceps area isn't tight but the sleve does seem to help keep it in place and is snug in the forearm and right at the elbow.  The 360 strap on the forearm lets you get the tension right where you need it.  The three piece design means your elbow goes right into that pocket and keeps it there.  

    8/10


    Protection
    Again, I don’t play in a contact or chippy league, but because of the fit, I never have to adjust them like I used to.  Being in the proper spot contributes to protection.  I have gone down here and there and this is a case where if you don’t notice, it is a good thing so I am assuming it is doing its job.  It provides full coverage around the forearm and the elbow cap is substantial without being bulky.

    9/10

     

    Weight

    The Vapors I had were pretty light, these are on par.  I don’t notice them so I have no complaints here.

    10/10


    Durability

    So far they are holding up well.  I average about two games a week and have had them about a year and a half.  The only thing is as you would expect the elastic on the 360 degree strap is getting a bit relaxed but not enough that it affects the tension.  This is an area I will be paying attention to as there is nothing to hold it in place except friction.  I keep expecting it to slide off the front edge but so far it hasn’t.  The rest of the elbow shows no sign of wear.  

    7/10


    Intangibles

    I was looking for comfort and something that stayed in place, and these provide that.  As an intangible I think the STX Surgeon equipment looks great with the gray, black and white.  Doesn't matter much for protective stuff but just my opinion.

    9/10


    Conclusion

    I am really happy with this purchase.  I think STX is bringing great equipment at very reasonable price points.  Once my son gets a bit bigger I will be buying STX for him and will be getting shins for myself next.

    8/10

    • Like 1

  9. Posted · Report reply

    FYI, the developing dmen presentation was by Glen Gulutzan (Dal, Cal, Edm assistant).  He started his talk by saying developing dmen starts at the offensive blue line, and now that I watched this on a bigger screen vs my phone, that is the first place this breaks down.  The dmen leave the zone by the time the opposite team dman is at the bottom of the circle.  Granted, there is zero forechecking pressure (or as ever1 pointed out, no pressure anywhere by the forwards) so that makes it hard but the strong side D could have held longer.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Hard to tell exactly what’s up with the perspective and all white jerseys but the first guy with the puck should have never had that much time in the neutral zone to make that little pass to the guy who carries it into the zone, both dmen just ceded ice. The back side Dman did nothing but back up with a big gap.  

     

    Cant remember which session from coaches site but a recent session I watched said their d (NHL) play everything as a 2-2 unless the puck is coming through the middle.  That means much tighter gap and more direct alignment than the traditional “divide it into a 2-1 and 1-1” approach.  Don’t give them time and space, force them to make a good play.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    6 hours ago, Oilers97 said:

    https://imgur.com/gallery/7uim6m5

    im shocked that pro players wouldn’t be using the top of the line elbow pads. Aho looks to have S190 elbows. Is this common? 

    Ever see Crosby’s stuff?  Old and practically falling apart.  On Spittin’ Chicklets I think he said his jock is the same since juniors, which if actually kind of gross but to each their own.  During I think the last All-Star game they showed him getting dressed and you could see the repairs on his elbows and shoulder pads which looked to be ancient.  He said he hates to change gear.

    • Like 1

  16. Posted · Report reply

    10 hours ago, SkateWorksPNW said:

    Your height/weight combination are a good example of why the previous "method" of calculating "half the flex for your weight" is a terrible method. For you it would suggest a 85-90 flex stick but with your height and how much you likely need to cut your sticks that would make them nearly impossible to load.  I use a very short stick, for someone who is nearly 5' 11" and 180 lbs. I have always wanted to use a longer stick as my release with a longer stick is significantly more powerful and accurate. The downside is my stickhandling is a disaster with a longer stick though and I would rather be able to pass, stick handle, and feel confident on my stick as compared to having a harder shot. 

    I have always seen it as a very general starting point, and that the flex would be the net flex, not stick flex.  So the flex once it was cut.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Just came back from pickup and remembered that last year I had been unemployed during the holidays and had to drop hockey to cut expenses.  It reminded me to be thankful for things many people take for granted, like having a good job.

    i know some people on this board are going through or have gone through some rough stuff and I just want to wish everyone the best today and during the rest of the holiday season.

    • Like 5
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