Nateinnet

Ok I said I would have a better feel for how these holders and blades have effected my son after Thursday’s practice so here is the best translation I can give of his account as well as some of my own. this account is after 3 two hour stick and puck sessions and 1 hour and half team practice although they are heavier than the stock holders and blades what you feel in the hand is negligible on the foot. He didn’t notice the extra weight, “at all.” turns feel “tighter” and “more sable” transitions feel “different, but not in a bad way” I think what he is still adapting to is blade movement and the shift in balance point backwards crossovers are “easier” “smoother” as for speed he looks as fast if not faster than he was. Certainly not slower. From a parents point of view I will say that I am not impressed with the gel coat on the carbon fiber. It began chipping the very first stick and puck, it’s not structural but it doesn’t look good to someone that doesn’t know otherwise. Additionally gel coat is heavy. My advise to marsblade would be loose the gel coat save weight use 2 part clear directly over the carbon fiber and continue to set yourselves apart from the norm. (This is where someone will likely say that two part isn’t better and I will call on every goalie mask and automotive painter to refute you) I may get a chance to time him on the same drills that I took time on prior to the switch to these holders and blades but truthfully they will be taken with a hand held stop watch and could be inaccurate. Ultimately I will use an “eyeball” to determine if he is faster and more efficient thanks for reading. update 1/8/2020 three additional skates (game, power skate, and additional team practice) in the game he had 3 points (goal and 2 apples) and was a forechecking monster. Some of this goes in the “eyeball” Category. He looked quicker than the competition especially on the goal which was a power move off the half boards cycle. power skate he was selected to demonstrate a transition drill from the 40+ kids on the ice. This is harder to judge because he is a great skater and often selected as demonstrator but again to the “eyeball” clearly skating very well on the new blades and holders even with the extra length.

First off I think that each skater is different and beginning skaters are different than experienced skaters. The approach to skate development should reflect this. I am not a skating coach but seems that young beginners have week ankles and could benefit from the stiff boot, but as strength and technique improve more ankle movement could increase power, just spit balling. so now an update on my 13 year old and his Marsblade holders. He is skating in a CCM 9080 boot and that has not changed. What has changed is he was on a forward stance 9’ radius maybe less. The shop we use does t do multiple radii profiles. The toe and the heel of his blades had been ground up slightly I can only assume this is similar to a triple radius but again idk for sure. I had the shop profile the new Marsblade steel at a 10’ neutral stance. My son skated stick and puck last night with the #3 t ring and thought it was just ok. Today we put the #1 t ring in the holder and skated 2 hours stick and puck. He was noticeably more comfortable and said that it felt “much better”. More updates to come

To be honest the shop I use doesn’t do any of that at least by those names. I had never even heard of an 8’/11’ double radius by name. My sons skates are on a 10’ radius 1/2” hollow pitched forward about 2 mm on the length of the blade?

Typically he is “easy” When switching gear. He isn’t a kid that is overly picky about new gear feeling the same as old gear. for example last year he Blew out a tow cap right before state playoffs literally the day before and he had worn steel on those skates stepped into new skates bought and baked the morning before skated warmup in them before the game. No issues. I am probably more worried about it then he will because I’m thinking the same thing wait till after the season.

Looks like it’s been a few months since anyone has commented on the MB holders. I ordered a set of these for my 13 year old son. He will get them for Christmas. he currently skates with some forward lean in his profile. When I add the MB holders should I start with the stock radius(which is?) and add lean as he adjusts. keeping in mind he only has one pair of skates and probably will only get 1 hour of stick and puck and 1.5 hours of practice prior to his next game.