Got myself a custom player cage

[bunnyman666 445]

Something like a certified cat eye made for a player helmet. Still committed to the Avision Ahead; however, I always want to keep my options open.

Any recommendations?

***Warwick does this***

[Buzz_LightBeer 974]

Sounds unsafe to say the least. I don't think this has the potential to end well.

At least 4 major hockey companies produce cages and/or clear visor options. Find the best option and use it.

[bunnyman666 445]

What can I say? I grew up using the HM-30 as a player cage...

[flip12 717]

What can I say? I grew up using the HM-30 as a player cage...

I've thought about it too... it's tempting, but I agree with BuzzLB, it seems unsafe.

I wonder why there aren't better options for visors with cage lower protection, or even a cage a lot like a cat-eye but with a visor that covers the wider gaps.

[bunnyman666 445]

I'm thinking a certified cat eye, where the openings aren't nearly wide as an HM 30. Just thinking out loud here.

I know there are custom cage makers out there, I just want to know if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks.

[totalchaos 10]

I'm using the avision ahead combo and I love it. The vision is the best of any combo I've used plus it never fogs

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Maybe prenny207 or joshy207 will chime in - they used to rep exactly what you're talking about. It's been dead for years though.

[bunnyman666 445]

I'm actually thinking Warwick. Good enough for Hasek should be more than adequate for me.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Hasek wore a wire cage. His entire career.

Warwick does make a HM30-style mask.

I'm actually thinking Warwick. Good enough for Hasek should be more than adequate for me.

[bunnyman666 445]

Hasek wore a wire cage. His entire career.

Warwick does make a HM30-style mask.

Just spoke with Gary. Nice fellow. His HM 30 only resemble what the old Cooper ones look like, as his have much heavier bars. He said he has never had to make a new one for any of his customers and has never heard of a stick or puck entering.

As much as I like the Avision Ahead, it is now starting to mist, which means the lens is losing it's anti-fog coating. The mfr. says not to use anti-fog sprays on it (?) as they may have not so good effects on the coating.

I am a bit of a gear whore (now my focus is on helmets for some reason) and the Warwick is what seems to be what I am looking for. I am not going to buy the DR Men's league mask (too many openings) or use an old HM-30 (could possibly be unreliable).

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I think Bryan's mask was the DR mask.

[hunterphfr 12]

I currently use an old HM-40 that I had from back in my box Lacrosse days. It's similar to the HM-30 but lighter and was designed for non-goalies, lacrosse and broomball. I was using a half shield when I moved to Florida. One of my buddys's here who is originally from Winnipeg told me to ditch the half shield and get a cage. I resisted. I got cut 3 times from sticks and had my nose peeled back by my shield after getting hit from behind into the boards. My biggest complaint would be weight.

[bunnyman666 445]

Just ordered the heavy duty Judy Warwick version of the HM-30. We'll see how it is when she comes home...

I currently use an old HM-40 that I had from back in my box Lacrosse days. It's similar to the HM-30 but lighter and was designed for non-goalies, lacrosse and broomball. I was using a half shield when I moved to Florida. One of my buddys's here who is originally from Winnipeg told me to ditch the half shield and get a cage. I resisted. I got cut 3 times from sticks and had my nose peeled back by my shield after getting hit from behind into the boards. My biggest complaint would be weight.

Ouch!

As long as it's not obnoxiously heavy, the weight vs. vision vs. durability argument is nil for me- I want good visibility as I am tired of fog, tired of intersecting lines for my vision, and I don't want to replace the lens from blocking a clapper (as it seems I am a defenceman whether I like it or not) or a high stick. I know some of you lot think I am nuts for getting an HM 30 cage from a custom builder, but it's not like Gary Warwick just started building these.

Pix to come...

[shooter27 116]

You could always try one of these.

http://www.lastchancehockey.com/servlet/the-501/NEW-Cat-Eye-Rec/Detail

I've got one, but never worn it as it sits too close to my face for my liking.

[bunnyman666 445]

I thought about that one, but am going for the HM-30 look-alike offered by Warwick.

[SirJW 207]

This was just posted in the goalie sightings section.

https://olympiacomposites.sharepoint.com/Pages/CustomCages.aspx

[bunnyman666 445]

I looked into them (Olympia) and Warwick won out for a couple of reasons. I am still considering Olympia for a player helmet (as they make several Jofa player helmets, as well as CCM's old school design in both fibreglass and carbon/aramid), but no phone number on the web site is a red flag when they want $400 for a player helmet.

[bunnyman666 445]

Just got my Warwick HM30. It is a bit heavier than the Avision Ahead. It probably weighs three times the weight of the Re-Akt Ti cage.

First impressions: Warwick's HM-30 comes with helmet foam hot-glued to the cage, totally lacking a chin cup. This cage is kinda like how I remember these as player cages- there isn't restriction like many other player cages. If you want to retain your full helmet protection, you had BETTER fasten your chin strap!!!! While I could probably rig a chin cup to fit, what fun is that?

It feels a LOT like a visor, except with tooth protection. You can easily slip the helmet over your head. I could probably mount this like a visor.

A stick could get through, but it would take a freak accident (not like those happen). You would have to try to get a stick through, but I am very aware it could happen. The sight lines are spectacular, and unlike a visor, you don't have to wipe it over after every shift in order to see out of it. You have to give up something in order to gain something else. I would feel comfortable blocking a shot with this cage; it was, after all, the EXACT cage Osgood wore when replacing his Cooper HM-30...

Where would I use this? Anywhere there isn't a certified cage requirement and I know the players in the league well. I have grown weary of how the anti-fog protection has decreased with my Avision Ahead, and I don't want to be replacing the lens every six months. I will replace the lens and only use it for times I absolutely need the Avision Ahead.

[bunnyman666 445]

Update:

First time playing with this cage. I replaced the foam on the front with a chin cup and feel a fair bit more secure. Vision was EXCELLENT. Never had to test how the cage did against a high stick. I loved being able to see well and NOT wipe the visor portion of the Avision Ahead after every shift. While the fog-free aspects of the AA visor/cage stayed fog-free for several months, it now fogs like my home land.

Ratings: 9/10 for visibility, 10/10 no fog, durability and protection still to be determined.

The only reason why I missed the towel on the bench was that I don't blow my nose into the air and bench area. If those jagg-offs who would jump onto the player benches during public skates only knew what goes on when hockey is played, they wouldn't even THINK of sitting on the bench...

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

This was just posted in the goalie sightings section.

https://olympiacomposites.sharepoint.com/Pages/CustomCages.aspx

But none of there products are approved to be worn?? I hope they have really good lawyers!

Just got my Warwick HM30. It is a bit heavier than the Avision Ahead. It probably weighs three times the weight of the Re-Akt Ti cage.

First impressions: Warwick's HM-30 comes with helmet foam hot-glued to the cage, totally lacking a chin cup. This cage is kinda like how I remember these as player cages- there isn't restriction like many other player cages. If you want to retain your full helmet protection, you had BETTER fasten your chin strap!!!! While I could probably rig a chin cup to fit, what fun is that?

It feels a LOT like a visor, except with tooth protection. You can easily slip the helmet over your head. I could probably mount this like a visor.

A stick could get through, but it would take a freak accident (not like those happen). You would have to try to get a stick through, but I am very aware it could happen. The sight lines are spectacular, and unlike a visor, you don't have to wipe it over after every shift in order to see out of it. You have to give up something in order to gain something else. I would feel comfortable blocking a shot with this cage; it was, after all, the EXACT cage Osgood wore when replacing his Cooper HM-30...

Where would I use this? Anywhere there isn't a certified cage requirement and I know the players in the league well. I have grown weary of how the anti-fog protection has decreased with my Avision Ahead, and I don't want to be replacing the lens every six months. I will replace the lens and only use it for times I absolutely need the Avision Ahead.

Funny when I played Roller in Florida a guy wore one of these and head butted me with the jagged edge. Cut me for 4 on the eye brow. Needless to say there was a bench clear. I am sure JR heard from Sam about that event in West Palm back in the day. We won both the fight and the game. Not a fan of these being worn by players at all. But hey your helmet and your money....just a funny little story....

[bunnyman666 445]

But none of there products are approved to be worn?? I hope they have really good lawyers!

Funny when I played Roller in Florida a guy wore one of these and head butted me with the jagged edge. Cut me for 4 on the eye brow. Needless to say there was a bench clear. I am sure JR heard from Sam about that event in West Palm back in the day. We won both the fight and the game. Not a fan of these being worn by players at all. But hey your helmet and your money....just a funny little story....

Dude- I am not a head-butter bloke... not my thing...

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Like I said it was just a funny story....

[SirJW 207]

I call these old style selling new as black market. I came up w/ the term after a Defender on my team stood up another player w/ one of the cat eye cages. He busted his lip and lost some teeth due to the mask hitting his jaw.

[bunnyman666 445]

I wear a chin cup with mine, as well as j-clips.

Like I said it was just a funny story....

It is, and I can see why you're not a fan of the cage.

I will try to be the most gentlemanly player with a cateye cage ;)

[bunnyman666 445]

Update: I did install a chin cup for better protection, and I needed it, as the high stick test came yesterday- just took the brunt of the high stick, no entry into the mask. I was also preparing to possibly block a shot with my face (as this shooter lets off Howitzers no matter who is in front of him), but he faked the shot and made a pass instead. I am glad I didn't have to test my mask like that...

So far, so good. And it gets LOTS of comments and compliments. Some ask why I'm using a 30 year old mask and I correct them quickly by telling them that it's only two weeks old and made by Warwick. Then they say " just like Osgood's" and I say yes.