JR Boucicaut

I had been LTRing the RE-AKT helmet over here - http://www.modsquadh...-re-akt-helmet/ and decided to wrap it up. For tear-down pictures, see the Teardown thread - http://www.modsquadh...oughtsteardown/ Length of use - 2 months Fit - Very good, for my head. Absolutely zero pressure points anywhere on the helmet, at any time during the review process. Very good feel around the temples/sides due to the block of PoronXRD padding there. Gives you the feeling of a well-fitting helmet without the bulk associated with other helmets. 10/10 Protection - New technologies, new foam, new concept. Unfortunately, there's no way for me to prove/disprove that it does as advertised. N/A Weight - Lighter - not Easton E700 weight (Bauer RE-AKT came in at 484g compared to Easton's 355g) but lighter than most out there. 9.5/10 Durability - No issues with any moving parts (size and occipital adjustment) or anything structural, however, did have an issue with one of the helmet screw pads. One of them decided to break free and spin. The procedure is to cut through the pad and use a pair of pliers to hold it in place so that you can take out the screw, which renders the screw pad useless after that. I was sent replacement pads and was told that the production model will have the updated ones, which will be stainless steel anchors. 8/10 Intangibles - The biggest test for me with the helmet was how it handled sweat, and I'll tell you that it passed that test. Ventilation also is good in it, on par with helmets on the market. A bit of bleed from the Vertex foam onto the back of the Suspend-Tech liner, but that is just cosmetic. 9/10 Conclusion - One of the things that it really has going for it is how much was taken out of the helmet and with what it was replaced with. It truly gives you a streamlined-looking helmet, however, with substance. The price may scare off a few potential buyers, but Bauer and other manufacturers with "ultra-premium" helmets realize that awareness and education is what is going to turn the tide to get players to invest more in headgear. Final score - 46/50 = 9.2 Thanks goes out to CJ Ficek, Helmet Product Manager at Bauer Hockey, who made it possible for me to test the product early.

2002

Carroll Shelby http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/05/auto-legend-carroll-shelby-father-of-cobra-dies/1

So you know this topic has been covered before, but you make your own thread instead of adding to the existing topic...

What is this, account #3 for you? Must admit, most trollers give up after account #2.

No, I'd rather not. I'd hate to think that what I do on here is seen as "marketing." There's nothing wrong with the "specialized" sticks on the market. Some of my favorite sticks are those that are tailored to the way I shoot/play.

That would be Dave Duerson

Summed up in one word - versatile Lots of sticks on the market shoehorn you into a certain way to shoot the puck; or handle one sort of shot better than the other. Nexus 1000 handled every shot consistently and equally - so instead of a lights-out wrister and a piss-poor slapshot you get a good wrister and a good slapshot. Easy load, didn't feel forced or artificial.

Miken Razor Z9 Flex: 85 Custom Curve: Custom Height: 6' Weight: 240 Postition: RW Time-frame of use: Since December 2011 Aesthetics: Nothing necessarily too flashy - black handle with Miken logo, fading into white with the stick name on the bottom. The white seems to get marked up and shows its wear. Seems to chip quite a bit as well. 8.5/10 Stick Construction, Weight and Balance: EXTREMELY impressed with the construction of the stick. The Razor Z9 is one of the cleanest sticks I've seen in quite some time - shaft walls were immaculate and even. When I cut the stick, it was a smooth cut, and then I dissected the part I cut off. High-grade carbon fiber for sure. Miken was reaching for a good compromise between weight and balance and they have done a good job at it. The stick feels really good in the hands. 10/10 Blade: Well-made blade, albeit a bit thick - especially in the heel. No flaws otherwise. 9.5/10 Shaft/Flex: Rounded corners and smaller shaft diameter compared to others in the industry's square and concave handles; definitely a personal preference of mine. The flex seems to be my biggest issue with the stick (and it's my fault.) I've been cutting my sticks extremely short and I essentially made the stick too stiff for my liking due to that. 5/5 (not rating flex) Stickhandling and Passing: I love the fact that it's my pattern, so no issues curve-wise. Would have preferred a thinner blade in terms of stickhandling. I did experience a bit of pinginess - you definitely feel the puck on the stick. 8.5/10 Shooting: Low kick point - pucks leave the stick quickly, that is for sure. Wrist and snap shots are good; I can see why everyone in our LTR liked the way it shot. With a lighter flex, I think I would like it even more as I really didn't feel as if I could lean into one. I was missing that shaft load and kick. 9/10 Durability: No loss of stiffness in the shaft for me as others have reported; it's still stiff! Other than chips in the shaft and around the heel area, the stick has held up pretty well for me. 9/10 Conclusion: Rock-solid stick, very impressed with the construction. Miken have come a long way from their initial offerings, that is for certain. Personal preference (flex) due to a miscalculation on my behalf didn't allow me to untap the stick's full potential. Our members who conducted the LTR for the Razor Z9 all enjoyed their sticks, and every one of our reviews are positive. Special thanks to Jason Kacures (jdksaves) at Miken Hockey for the stick. Much appreciated! 9.1/10

I'll have 5s on me. They're Gary Roberts' last pair of elbow pads LOL

Yes, it will be reviewed.

Brady Bunch style

Literally showed up to the door an hour ago.

I cut 3" off of it (I use a short stick) and according to their gauge it's at an 87.

New stick -

Realized I never posted my car in this thread. 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora 98,200 mi

RIP Bob Perani http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/04/flint_businessman_bob_perani_r.html

I'm not picking on anyone in particular here, but lately there has been quite a bit of solicitation in this thread. Please be respectful of the rules.

Normally don't post in these threads, but I'm extremely saddened and upset today. Went to bed last night and somehow had a dream about one of my high school teachers. I was fortunate enough to have her as my Creative Writing teacher for two years in a row - junior and senior year (Sr year she was extremely hard on me due to senioritis), and she was special. She inspired me to write; I continued on into college as a mass comm/journalism major along with editorships and all that, and even though I took an unconventional route in the field that definitely couldn't have been forseen back in 1995, I realize that I did achieve that goal. I create content on ModSquadHockey daily. Regardless, so I wake up and look up her name - yes, most students don't know their high school's teacher's full name - and I find out she had died of ovarian cancer back in 2008. And I don't know why, but I'm losing it right now. :(

Umm...he was asking about Easton's steel, which he mistakenly called "nitinol." I corrected him, and stated that Easton's steel (NanoGlide) is not available to the public.

That was said two Springs ago. Not holding my breath.

Nothing yet. Easton doesn't do nitinol...and no they aren't.