Hockey Equipment Designers

[dw91 0]

Ive always wondered how you would go about starting a career in R+D, and as a hockey player who will be studying mechanical engineering next year, hockey equipment design combines two of my interests. Anybody have any insights/stories? Also, I am very aware that it would be hard to find a job in this industry.

[Rustpot 1]

As a senior ME student switching to materials with a mechanical concentration would be my advice for getting into hockey. Who knows where things will be in 4 years, thankfully engineering jobs that aren't auto-dependent are still in demand right now. If the Big 3 close shop before you graduate and a ton of parasite companies fall there will be an ugly influx of engineers looking to spread out.

[dw91 0]

so, let me get this right, you think it would be a good idea to look at hockey? as a side note, ive got a choice between materials science at a large public university or mechanical at a private school. Im a senior in high school right now.

[Rustpot 1]

No, I'm not saying look at hockey. Materials is more the degree you'd be looking for to get into that business IMO.

You're saying those two schools don't have both degree programs? Odd. Most intro engineering courses are applicable to multiple disciplines when you start out. The curriculum at my school was geared toward giving you two semesters to transfer between engineering disciplines before getting too many classes that it would delay your graduation date. You've got to go with what will make you work happy and have more interest and passion for, don't count on a certain job/industry going in to college.

I went in thinking GM all the way, I know have an "in" in the paper production and mass consumer products industry.

[dw91 0]

yeah, thats what im looking at, same thing your describing, Bradley, the smaller school, doesnt offer mat. science, and U of Illinois-Champaign has everything, I was just informing as to what departments i was accepted into. Just looking for options for summer internships in some kind of engineering related job, as opposed to my current job washing dishes, lol. thought hockey R+D might be something cool to check out. Bit of a pipe dream, at best

[Rustpot 1]

If you were accepted to UofI-C you were more than likely admitted to the School of Engineering with a current degree choice, you aren't locked in. There's no reason you can't start there as an MSE and transfer to the ME program at Bradley if you decide on ME and think it's a better school for that.

Too many people go to school locked into their original choice and desired job outcome. Luckily I like being an ME, and my co-ops and class work have only reinforced that.

[fatwabbit 93]

Focus on what YOU want, not just because its the 'flavor of the month' ...

[dw91 0]

good advice fatwabbit, ive looked at everything else, and i know that materials or mechanical is what i really want to do. I'd just like to get my foot in the door somewhere this summer, and ive always wanted to design hockey equipment. My original intent of this post was to figure out if there was a way to intern with a hockey equipment manufacturer or if anyone had any experience in the industry

[rogue 0]

As a senior ME student I haven't heard of many companies offering internships to engineering students before their freshman year. Some offer them to students who are in between their sophomore and junior years but most look for students who have at least completed their junior year as they possess a decent amount of knowledge on the topic. However it may be different in IL than WI and MN and if you can get one... don't hesitate.. really no matter what it is, experience is huge when looking for a job or future internships.

Offhand I would say go to U of I-C because it leaves more choices for you. Even if you were accepted as Mat. Sci. you aren't locked into that, once you get there you will be able to easily change majors and your first couple semesters will be general education and basic engineering classes so they will be applicable whether you want to do ME or Mat. Sci.

I don't recommend going to U of I with the intent of transferring to Bradley or vice versa... Transferring classes is a huge pain in the ass and no matter what youll end up finding out that a course you took at one school won't count towards your degree once you transfer. Its a huge mess and you really end up getting screwed.

That said, don't choose a major because you could work in the hockey industry. There are maybe 100's of jobs in the country for hockey R&D and realistically, you are very unlikely to get one of the few vacancies as positions in the industry are usually filled by people with connections.

Look at the popular jobs in general that both Mat. Sci. and Mech E offer; which field would you be happiest in. If there are one or two jobs you think you'd really like in one of the majors but can't see yourself doing the rest I would probably shy away from that field. You can't always get your ideal choice and if you despise the alternatives you will work many unhappy years.

Sorry, kind of long winded, but basically I would choose the school with more options, you can switch once you get there and you will be taking general engineering classes which will expose you to various elements and help you make the decision. Many schools have a lower and upper division of their engineering programs, your first two years you take essentially the same courses no matter what engineering discipline you are headed towards, after your sophomore year you officially declare your major for one type of engineering.

Good luck and if you have any questions about engineering let me know

oh and after just taking my Mat. Sci. final today I strongly suggest Mech E haha

[biff44 0]

Mech eng courses, nowadays, are pretty hands on. You will have design projects to do over the years. Do a lot of them on hockey related stuff! Save the data, take pictures, and during the summer send out letters looking for co-op work at places like bauer, etc. Who knows, you could get a job.

I could think of a number of hockey related improvements for projects, like:

user controlled stick flex

improved skate blade geometry

energy recovery skate system

concussion proof helmet

hyper-extension proof knee pads

fog free visor system

shoulder pads air cooling system

etc etc

[dw91 0]

thanks for all the insight guys, there are a lot more engineers on here than i thought! im still in between the two schools, but ive got a while to figure it out. Ive taken a few engineering courses in high school, so im somewhat adept as far as using autodesk inventor and the like. Signed up for an independent study with one of the engineering teachers at my high school next semester, which basically means ill kind of choose the direction of my studies (maybe even time to work on a hockey-related project ;) ) and its all for high school credit!

[eric42434224 1]

Sorry for butting in, but I wanted to add a comment.

In todays world it is exceedingly unlikely you will remain in the same career, much less the same company. People change jobs several times on average, and careers too. With technology, and of course distruptions in the economy, you should go into college with this mentality:

LEARN HOW TO LEARN.

By developing the ability to learn new skills, and adapt, you will do more to secure your (and your future family's) financial future. Look at the bigger picture of having intellectual agility developing the ability to learn and absorb. This can easily be done while learning a specific discipline if you stay aware of it.

Good luck!

[fatwabbit 93]

Just to add to my comment above.

When I was in High School, all I wanted to do was Biology...

- applied for a course in Biotechnology when I finished, but was offered Mechatronics intead (Mechanical & Electronics).

- got my Polytechnic Diploma in Mechatronics

- 2 and a half years in the Army as part of National Service

- applied to Uni and did Mechanical Engineering. Struggled like hell thru first 2 years, then did final year major in Bio-Composite materials. Final year project was a collaboration with the Dentistry Dept (best looking chicks on campus) on mechanical properties of dental composites...research got published in a Dental Article, presented research at International Forum.

- Graduated and worked designing military tanks, test engineer, design engineer, safety engineer

- now working in marketing for a MNC, focusing on providing solutions to customers product related issues on earth moving equipment

Doesnt matter what you are doing... as long as you are enjoying it!

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Very good point - the director of R/D at NBH was in the aerospace field before he went to NBH. Need to be able to diversify yourself.

[dw91 0]

this is great hearing from fellow hockey players who were once in my situation, and how your education and everything worked out. Ive talked to a bunch of people in the field of mechanical engineering, and i become more interested in it as time goes on. Honestly, im just happy to have an opportunity to get a college education, and if i can work hockey in with my occupation when i graduate, it would be a dream come true, but i realize that i will change jobs and possibly careers. Also, kind of on a different tangent, but i assume that the individuals in hockey R+D dont have one set path that they all follwed to get there, they all have different kinds of degrees, and have taken a number of different paths to get to the position they hold now, correct?

[Rustpot 1]

this is great hearing from fellow hockey players who were once in my situation, and how your education and everything worked out. Ive talked to a bunch of people in the field of mechanical engineering, and i become more interested in it as time goes on. Honestly, im just happy to have an opportunity to get a college education, and if i can work hockey in with my occupation when i graduate, it would be a dream come true, but i realize that i will change jobs and possibly careers. Also, kind of on a different tangent, but i assume that the individuals in hockey R+D dont have one set path that they all follwed to get there, they all have different kinds of degrees, and have taken a number of different paths to get to the position they hold now, correct?

Most everyone is like that when it comes to jobs that don't have "____ Engineer" as the title in some company. One of our quality lab guys has a master's in aerospace. I'm an ME working in paper goods, a mostly chemical/process field. You never know what comes up, Bauer St Jerome could need a plant engineer to work on the machinery that makes the gear and you transfer later into another department, then your resume is diversified and when you move next another connection is made.

In my understanding the mechanical curriculum at most schools is a very jack-of-all-trades type of degree. 95% of what you do in college is meaningless for most jobs you take, it's the thought process and abilities you take with you rather than formulae and computational technique.

[dw91 0]

exactly, thats the impression i got. I think the mech. eng. will prepare me best overall. Does anyone on MSH actually work for bauer or rbk/ccm, farrell, etc... in r+D? im curious to know what most of the work they do is, and what a job in the industry is like. Ive never heard a whole lot about it, besides NBH's website tour of st jerome facility.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yes, we have several R/D employees that are members.

[GH_ID 0]

Hello there, I'm sorry but you won't need mechanical engineering for that. I'm a designer and have worked for a few hockey companies and you will need a bachelor of INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, not engineering... to get to design hockey equipment and get ready to move to Montreal.

On the other hand, if you want to stick to engineering you could become a product developer whitch isn't the same thing.

Here's a few website on industrial design that can be helpfull:

http://www.idsa.org/

http://core77.com/

http://www.coroflot.com/

If you have any other questions you'd like answered just pm me.

[maxamillion 3]

ID in the house!

I'm currently an ID major in Philadelphia who originally looked into engineering, and hockey is just one of the many areas i'd like to look into after i'm done. this summer i have an internship at ernie ball guitars out in california, then the following summer i'll be out in LA with All Access set and stage design hopefully. like everyone says, diversify. hockey doesn't have to be the first thing either, all roads lead somewhere. Plus, ID is an awesome field. this semester we have a collaborative project with kikkerland design in nyc where some students might have work that gets produced.

[dw91 0]

Just wanted to give you an update on how things are going. Im in an independent study class here at my hs, and Ive been given free reign on what kind of projects I want to look into and eventually do on Autodesk. Anybody got any ideas for projects? Ive got a whole semester to fill. Doesnt have to be hockey related, Im just drawing a blank on ideas. Also, somewhat unrelated, but how is stick flex measured? Like in what units? Thanks for the help guys

[cptjeff 0]

Just wanted to give you an update on how things are going. Im in an independent study class here at my hs, and Ive been given free reign on what kind of projects I want to look into and eventually do on Autodesk. Anybody got any ideas for projects? Ive got a whole semester to fill. Doesnt have to be hockey related, Im just drawing a blank on ideas. Also, somewhat unrelated, but how is stick flex measured? Like in what units? Thanks for the help guys

Stick flex is measured as pounds required to flex the stick 1 inch.

As for the project, do something that you'll want to use when you finish it. A cool shelving system, or a new way to organize a computer desk. Practical stuff tends to be a pretty good idea.

[prenny207 1]

I could think of a number of hockey related improvements for projects, like:

concussion proof helmet

Concussion Proof Helmet is not possible, and manufacturers need to be very careful with this subject. you can make helmets that help reduce concussions, which they have done very well. However, a great number of concussions come from impact to the jaw. A helmet simply won't cancel that out.

[dw91 0]

Ive decided my first project is going to be designing a new style of hockey net to increase the odds of scoring goals, like the NHL is trying to do. I will most likely mess with post shape, ie cylinder, box, other shapes, and the actual shape of the goal. Ill see if I can post screenshots of the final product when Im done in a month or two

[cptjeff 0]

You really want to increase scoring? Triangle. Straight along the back edge (from the shooter's point of view) with a right angle wiht a perfectly flat outside, and the hypotenuse on the inside edge of the post. It would cause injuries like heck, but it would take most any post shot from straight ahead and put it in the net.