CCM League Deals

[chippa13 1844]

Jason - yes, you are right, BUT you cannot deny the fact that the NHL is a big marketing tool when it comes to equipment.  Unfortunately, too many people buy stuff based on who is wearing it.  In a perfect world, it wouldn't be like that, but it is.  ESPECIALLY when it comes to kids.

I agree, JR.

I don't know how many retailers I've spoken to who have said they think certain smaller brands offer the best value for a particular product segment, but they can't convince the buyer to consider another brand outside the The Big Three (Or Four or Five...). Unfortunately, over time, the retailer has to cut his losses and stop carrying the gloves by ABC, even though he thinks ABC's gloves at $69 are way better than The Big Three at $85.

I get that a lot from the kids who want Eagles. I put a pair of old X46s on one hand and Mission L7s on the other and he said the Eagles felt much more comfortable. Then I had him close his eyes and put two different gloves on his hands and asked what felt better. He said "the eagles", bear in mind he wasn't wearing eagle on either hand and still had his eyes closed.

Maybe he meant the Eagle he had tried on first felt the best out of all the gloves you put on his hands.

[Chadd 916]

No, I asked him what hand the eagle was on and he held up the hand with a DR glove.

[hockechamp14 0]

unfortunately, I would like to buy smaller brand's stuff if it is indeed better, but the fact remains is that you don't know that it is better until you use it, and you don't want to end up throwing money away at pads you hate. Although to make my point completely invalid, you don't know if you're going to like bauer or CCM shinpads or shoulders either. :(

[A_Steeves12 0]

In Major Junior all of the teams in the CHL have the THC deal, but it doesn't apply to sticks as each team is responsible for their own.

is that true? was wondering about the stick deal with the CHL. here in halifax they all use ccm/rbk sticks but ive seen a few different teams that use all sher-wood or some use one brand and others use another.

[predshockey17 0]

The uhl has a deal with ccm as well. It is for mouth guards and helmets.

[hockeydude_49 0]

Mouthguards? That wouldnt give ccm much advertisement...

[Eazy_b97 1]

In Major Junior all of the teams in the CHL have the THC deal, but it doesn't apply to sticks as each team is responsible for their own.

is that true? was wondering about the stick deal with the CHL. here in halifax they all use ccm/rbk sticks but ive seen a few different teams that use all sher-wood or some use one brand and others use another.

It only applies to pants, socks, gloves and helmets. Most likely Jerseys as well.

[Chadd 916]

unfortunately, I would like to buy smaller brand's stuff if it is indeed better, but the fact remains is that you don't know that it is better until you use it, and you don't want to end up throwing money away at pads you hate. Although to make my point completely invalid, you don't know if you're going to like bauer or CCM shinpads or shoulders either. :(

If you try them on and waer them around the shop for a while you should get a good idea. Simulating stickhandling and trying to ensure a full range of movement is pretty easy to do. The only issue is durability, and you never know about that with anyone.

[hockechamp14 0]

unfortunately, I would like to buy smaller brand's stuff if it is indeed better, but the fact remains is that you don't know that it is better until you use it, and you don't want to end up throwing money away at pads you hate. Although to make my point completely invalid, you don't know if you're going to like bauer or CCM shinpads or shoulders either. :(

If you try them on and waer them around the shop for a while you should get a good idea. Simulating stickhandling and trying to ensure a full range of movement is pretty easy to do. The only issue is durability, and you never know about that with anyone.

When I bought my louisville bionic elbows, they felt great in the shop, full range and stuff, but when I got them on the ice, they slipped all the time, woldn't tighten well, and were a bear to deal with. I wear jofa now, the 9144 with absolutely no complaints. When I got my 6000 bauer pants, they were light, and felt like they had enough protection. On the first ice session I used them, I took a shot to the thigh 10 mins after I stepped on and it swelled enough to take me off the ice at a try out. I've had many direct thigh impacts on the pants, and I usually end up with a pretty banged up thigh. So, yes you can like something in the store, but performance in how it integrates into your game is something you can't predict, and unfortunately for me, it is the main thing that matters right now, but

I also can't keep throwing away money for equiptment that I don't like and shouldn't be using. :(