Itech's pecking order.

[hockey1933 0]

Zac, I was only referring to what sells

[Zac911 317]

Zac, I was only referring to what sells

sadly what sells is this " pay the pros XXX$$$ and rely on pro exposure " rather than making a quality product.

[lb33knight 0]

lb, that surprises me, what does Itech offer that could take the place of an RBK/CCM item?

Goalie - RBK #1

Helmet - RBK or CCM #1 or #2, Bauer is still strong here

OPS - although not even close to a number 1, RBK or CCM out sell Mission in 98% of LHS

Protective - RBK #1

Skates - RBK or CCM #2 and #3 depending on market. Mission Itech is a tough sell here in almost every ice market

Visor - Itech, but Oakley still makes a better quality product and RBK/CCM do not manufacture a visor

Jock - Itech is still #1 or #2 following Shock

Just curious, on your opinion, thanks!

I have a 20 foot wall dedicated just to items that are on sale. 95% of it is RBK/CCM. With my store in my market, it just doesn't seem to do well.

Goalie - I don't do a great volume of goalie gear. What I do end up selling is the low end stuff. And those guys don't care what brand it is.

Helmet - This is what would hurt the most if I were to switch. RBK helmets have been popular. Mission/Itech helmets aren't too shabby but I think more people would be happier with the RBK's.

OPS's - RBK/CCM sticks do not sell well in my store. I see no way that Mission sticks would do any worse. If anything I think that they would sell better because they would be "new" items that my customer base is not used to seeing.

Protective - Again in my store most people naturally go toward NBH and Easton. Very few people that end up with the RBK stuff actually seek it out. I think that most of my customers that see the MIH protective would like it. If someone came in and wanted an RBK 4K shoulder pad and we didn't have it - 9 times outta 10 they'd just pick something else off the shelf instead of looking somewhere else for one.

Skates - All of my old stock of skates consist of RBK/CCM. And it's not because I ordered way too many. People around here just don't care for them. I do not see the Mission skates doing any worse.

Visor - I am completely satisfied by Itech's visors. My Oakley's have sold well but my customers will buy whatever I have in the store whether it is Oakley or Itech. I'm 100% certain that I wouldn't lose any sales by switching.

Jocks - Every company makes one and I don't see any point in having 8 different brands of jocks in my store. I carry Shock Dr. only. It simplifies things, saves space on the wall and in my inventory database and no one has complained that there isn't a selection. Same with mouthguards.

All in all I don't see it having a major impact who I decide to go with. Honestly I would like to give the MIH product more of a chance in my store solely because of the hassle that RBK is with invoicing and accouning. I'm sure that every shop owner/manager will agree that RBK is second rate when it comes to that area of the business. But for now I will stick with RBK because I like the rep and he has, for the most part, looked after me for the last few years. I have ordered less and less each year and I would feel too guilty not giving him a portion of my buying.

-Brandon

[hockey1933 0]

good info, thanks Brandon!

[sc37 0]

but really sc37, would you dump the RBK/CCM line to sell Itech skates and helmets instead?

I would...Easton and NBH seem to be way above most other things and then there would be MissionItech and Rbk/CCM pretty much tied underneath the top two. But I don't do it for a living, and it's just from observing what all is out in people's bags and what is stocked at the shops.

[sinkhole84 0]

i find the shin guards to be the best out of the ones i tried on in terms of comfort which to me is #1

[TBLfan 25]

Pro goalies wear itech because of $. Argueably, because they will also ghost other manufacturers' gear.

that statement applies more to RBK than it ever will to Itech. i disagree that Goyer copies other mfgs. have you actually looked at his product? he designs stuff with DiPo that REALLY works. the XWing Goal Pads are unreal....how did he follow it up? RX series. TBL i respect your opinion and presence on this board, but if you really spend more time around the Itech line.... there is without a doubt a difference. graphics is such a small part of the package-- there is SUBSTANCE behind the Itech line.

OF COURSE IT APPLIES MORE TO RBK!!! But I was just reffering to Itech, no other line. Itech is the norm in goalie masks because they pay, which is a large part in why their quality masks are soo expensive. If I recall correctly, Weeks was a prime example of completely ghosted gear.

I haven't seen the current line of Itech gear so I wont comment on it. Personally, I'm a Vaughn guy. V2!!! Best pads I've ever used. I really wanted to try out the DX2 though... instead, I just started skating out, haha.

[Zac911 317]

TBL- when it comes to GHOSTED gear- Itech makes the least modifications to their gear for pros. most of our guys are using pretty much stock gear. lets carve the ubiquitous face off of those RBK pads in the NHL and see how really alike they really are. i have a handful of goalie dealers that are sitting on piles of RBK gear. as for the most expensive masks-- our NV7 is lighter and stronger than the 960/1 masks and for WAY less. Gerbers mask is an NV7. while he was waiting on a painted 961 we got him the NV7 and he liked it so much he stuck with it. its not fair to say that we pay for that mask exposure and then look around the NHL and assume that all these other players really prefer an Easton or RBK helmet. paying players and making something look like what is being sold at retail is a dirty game and i would like to see that change..... maybe then you would see some product exposure change as well perhaps.

[TBLfan 25]

Yeah, like I said, I wasn't talking about RBK but of course RBK is clearly in the lead of ghosting gear. The NV7 is a great addition to the product line but that doesn't change the pricing that has been standard for itech... That means nothing bad to the quality. I mean you couldnt offer any random NHL goalie a few thousand dollars to wear a fiberglass roller ball-hockey mask. Itech does make great gear but that doesn't change what I said.

Again, I haven't looked at any recent lines of gear from itech. But I do believe I am correct about Weekes, particularly his catcher(this is based on pure memory of discussion a couple years ago).

[shawn o 0]

I used their shin/elbow/shoulder pads (440s) for years and loved them. I've since "upgraded" to One90 stuff with the exception of elbow pads.

I bought a pair of Itech 955 ones and they are terrific! I would have went with a pair of 955 shins as well but they don't make them in 13".

[Zac911 317]

I used their shin/elbow/shoulder pads (440s) for years and loved them. I've since "upgraded" to One90 stuff with the exception of elbow pads.

I bought a pair of Itech 955 ones and they are terrific! I would have went with a pair of 955 shins as well but they don't make them in 13".

the 440s i sold a ton of back in the day. when i was out of Jofa stuff people gave the Itech product a second look. funny thing is that once i got the Jofa back in stock the people that bought the Itech product would come back in ( because its human nature to overthink things ) and try on the Jofa. many commented that they thought the Jofa would be better and that they were very happy with the Itech. the 955 product has had great sell through for my customers. again Itech is not the sexy name, but dealers that make a point of putting us head to head get pretty solid sell through with Itech.

Yeah, like I said, I wasn't talking about RBK but of course RBK is clearly in the lead of ghosting gear. The NV7 is a great addition to the product line but that doesn't change the pricing that has been standard for itech... That means nothing bad to the quality. I mean you couldnt offer any random NHL goalie a few thousand dollars to wear a fiberglass roller ball-hockey mask. Itech does make great gear but that doesn't change what I said.

Again, I haven't looked at any recent lines of gear from itech. But I do believe I am correct about Weekes, particularly his catcher(this is based on pure memory of discussion a couple years ago).

who is Kevin Weekes???

[ddbowdoin 0]

I believe he is the only black goalie currently in the nhl, not even sure who plays for anymore (was previously with the rangers right? and the canes?)

edit : not sure if you were being facetious or not... sorry if I was being captain obvious

[cxo 0]

What happened to Freddy Brathwaite?

[ddbowdoin 0]

you might have me there, I wasnt exactly sure who was still around the league

[Zac911 317]

Freddy has been playing in Russia last i heard.

edit: looks like he has time in with the wolves in the A

[ddbowdoin 0]

I completely forgot about Ray Emery! haha ... wow, that one was right in front of my face too

I just checked on the stats, 2 goalies in the NHL of black descent

[lb33knight 0]

Ol' Grant Fuhr is still around as well. He's the goalie coach for Phoenix.

[ddbowdoin 0]

I know this is way off topic but they consider Francis Bouillon black... he's listed as being born to a white french canadien mother and haitian father

haitians do come from some african descent but thats a little strange really, they have some historical connections with the slave trade and what not but I wouldnt consider that a strong enough connection to consider him in that category

sorry way off topic

[Zac911 317]

good job.... i believe you have officially killed this topic!

[NuggyBuggy 0]

haitians do come from some african descent but thats a little strange really, they have some historical connections with the slave trade and what not but I wouldnt consider that a strong enough connection

About 95% of Haiti's population is of African descent.

[ddbowdoin 0]

I'm just saying that descent is a vague concept... if there are two people, lets say they are white or black doesnt really matter, if they have a cultural connection to a certain nation and they are of that nations skin color you have to analyze each person through a generational factor. People can consider themselves whatever that want but if you look at two people and one is a first generation ______ (insert whatever) and the other has a conncection 3+ generations away, yes they may be the same skin color but they can't be considered the same

edit: I guess what I am saying is why do people consider Boullion black if he is biracial with equal proportions, if he was 100% haitian I could understand but they seem to just throw away the french canadien aspect by considering him in that last

[atomicpunk5150 2]

I have a 20 foot wall dedicated just to items that are on sale. 95% of it is RBK/CCM. With my store in my market, it just doesn't seem to do well.

Goalie - I don't do a great volume of goalie gear. What I do end up selling is the low end stuff. And those guys don't care what brand it is.

Helmet - This is what would hurt the most if I were to switch. RBK helmets have been popular. Mission/Itech helmets aren't too shabby but I think more people would be happier with the RBK's.

OPS's - RBK/CCM sticks do not sell well in my store. I see no way that Mission sticks would do any worse. If anything I think that they would sell better because they would be "new" items that my customer base is not used to seeing.

Protective - Again in my store most people naturally go toward NBH and Easton. Very few people that end up with the RBK stuff actually seek it out. I think that most of my customers that see the MIH protective would like it. If someone came in and wanted an RBK 4K shoulder pad and we didn't have it - 9 times outta 10 they'd just pick something else off the shelf instead of looking somewhere else for one.

Skates - All of my old stock of skates consist of RBK/CCM. And it's not because I ordered way too many. People around here just don't care for them. I do not see the Mission skates doing any worse.

Visor - I am completely satisfied by Itech's visors. My Oakley's have sold well but my customers will buy whatever I have in the store whether it is Oakley or Itech. I'm 100% certain that I wouldn't lose any sales by switching.

Jocks - Every company makes one and I don't see any point in having 8 different brands of jocks in my store. I carry Shock Dr. only. It simplifies things, saves space on the wall and in my inventory database and no one has complained that there isn't a selection. Same with mouthguards.

All in all I don't see it having a major impact who I decide to go with. Honestly I would like to give the MIH product more of a chance in my store solely because of the hassle that RBK is with invoicing and accouning. I'm sure that every shop owner/manager will agree that RBK is second rate when it comes to that area of the business. But for now I will stick with RBK because I like the rep and he has, for the most part, looked after me for the last few years. I have ordered less and less each year and I would feel too guilty not giving him a portion of my buying.

-Brandon

Back on topic for a bit. One other thing that only shop owners will consider: MIH has great margins if you can turn the product over. Good way to make a few $$.

Also some of the booking minimums from the big 2 (NBH/RBK) to get top of the line product are insane, but that is another topic all together...

[deadmanjolt 1]

I love the itech shins I have. Really liked my Mission L7's, but the skates were too narrow for the proper length (even in EE).

[Slava 0]

i really like the ITECH straight cut visor, i dont think i would ever switch to another