Hockey World Blog

All Things Hockey

Archive for January, 2012

Bauer Supreme ONE70 Ice Hockey Skate Review

Jan 31

Posted by EB in Reviews | No Comments

Mid last year I upgraded my older than dirt ice skate to the Bauer Supreme ONE70 ice hockey skate. After playing many games in them, I’m happy to say it was a purchase well spent, never once looking back. Previously coming from a pair of CCM’s that fit like a glove, the Supreme ONE70′s have not only replaced such feeling, but have provided the stiffness of boot to perform.

Model: Bauer Supreme ONE70

Skill level: C/B league player

Modifications: None

Appearance and Design:

Bauer provides two models, the Vapor and Supreme line, both having different market points. The Supreme tends to run wider in the toe box while the Vapor is a bit narrower. Bauer also targets that the Supreme line is for more power strides while the Vapor tends to be for the more agile. Maybe a bit of a marketing ploy, still, both skates offer excellent performance. Summing it up, whichever fits your foot best is what you should go with, and for me, the little bit wider toe box Supreme line does the trick.

The Supreme ONE70′s have that patented black with yellow accents that is distinct of the Supreme lineup. Catchy to the eye, but still not as flashy as their Vapor counterpart. That is however the case until the new Bauer Supreme Total One NXG ice hockey skate comes out mid year, then the Supreme line might rival that of the Vapor.

Feel:

As noted previously, when it comes to skates, in my mind, it is all about feel. With that, you need to try on every skate you are thinking of purchasing and make sure that it is the right fit for you.

The Bauer Supreme ONE70 ice hockey skate feels really good on my foot. It was tough, as my previous skate truthfully did feel like wearing a sock. I will not go as far to say that the ONE70 have obtained that feeling, but they do feel well.

Breathing room in the toes at the widest part of my foot yet snug in the heel. As long as you get the sizing right, the skate should fit your foot and offer the support you need.

I have however noticed that at times the tongue of the skate can rub your ankles the wrong way. Oddly enough, this happens on my right skate and not on my left.  This leaves me with the belief that it’s just a unique case and most likely has something to do with my foot. Easy fix though, all you have to do is shift the tongue a little bit until it stops rubbing the wrong way and you are fine.

One big thing to note is I have chosen not to bake my skates. Perhaps a little more of a traditionalist, I’ve always just broken the skates in normally. I think this is a bad thing however, and after playing on them for some time and still have some stiffness throughout the boot that I would like to fit a little better, I think I am going to bake them a couple times throughout the week. I hope this will also allow the skate to form to the top of my foot a little better as I currently run into my foot going numb if I tie them too tight down low. Odd, but I sometimes feel that my skate is too loose at times depending on how tight I tie the laces, yet at the same time they perform just fine and I have no issues of support. I notice the feel really only when I am at the start of the game and on the bench and it could merely be a routine I have gotten into.

Note: If you choose to bake them on your own, always make sure to be careful on the eyelets and not rip them out.

Durability:

When looking for a new skate I narrowed my search to two models, the Bauer Supreme ONE70 and the Bauer Supreme ONE60. Both offered the same good fit, weight indistinguishable to my insensitive legs, but the exterior of the boot is what tipped my favor.

The ONE70 offers a more rugged boot in comparison, providing a more durable skate. A fellow friend that I skate with has the Supreme ONE60′s, and although he has had them for a longer period of time than I, considerable wear is showing in comparison to the ONE70. As the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”

All else of consideration when it comes to durability, the stiffness of the boot itself has held up strong, just like the first day I skated with it. This has allowed me the ability to use the skate to its potential, able to push off with a solid response, also the ability to take corners knowing my skate is not going to give out. When pushing off on a stride, it almost feels like doing a sit-up with someone holding down your ankles instead of on your own. Simply put, the support is there for any stride and any cut, allowing for a smooth transfer of motion without losing any energy.

Overall Impressions:

If you have not noticed already through the review, I love my skates. I’m a Bauer fan for gear and their skates are my main reason for such a love. The Bauer Supreme ONE70 ice hockey skate offers a top-of-the-line type boot but without the cost. No durability issues as of yet and I do not expect any for a few years. I would highly recommend anyone looking for skates to check out the Supreme line, if not the Vapor line depending on your foot structure. The new Supremes come out near April. It is always nice to get the newest gear because of the technology, but those looking to save a few bucks on last year’s model may want to pick up the Bauer Supreme ONE70 when the pricing goes down.

Thinking of buying a new skate? Be sure to visit Pure Hockey before you buy and use the coupon code HOCKEYWORLD at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase!

Tags: , , , , , ,

NHL Photo of the Day

Jan 31

Posted by EB in NHL Photo of the Day | No Comments

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Trade rumors are starting to heat up with the trade deadline close approaching. The deadline, Monday, February 27 2012, will be an interesting one as in all years. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes are nearly out of the playoff contention and are rumored to be looking to deal forward Tuomo Ruutu pictured above. The skilled winger has 14 goals and 21 assists 35 points in his 54 game splayed this season. A concern for teams may be that of his health, only finishing a full season in two of his eight years as a professional. It is rumored that the Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks are all interested.

Tags: , , , , ,

Reebok Ai9 Hockey Stick Review 2

Jan 30

Posted by Matt in Reviews | 2 Comments

Reebok Ai9 Hockey StickLast October, Reebok Hockey sent us their brand new Reebok Ai9 one-piece hockey stick to review. In my initial review, I liked the feel of the stick and experienced some of the hardest shots I had ever taken. With continued use, the Reebok Ai9 has impressed me more and more. Now, it seems as though Reebok’s latest stick is one of the best available. Read on for my full review:

Player Specs: I’m approximately six-feet tall and weigh around 190 pounds. My preferred stick is a 100 flex with a slight mid-heel curve, 5 lie, and round toe.

Stick Specs: Reebok Ai9, Griptonite Grip, Crosby curve, 85 Flex

Modifications: None

Appearance and Design:

The Reebok Ai9 has maintained a fresh design and can compete with offerings from any other brand in terms of eye appeal as it continues to draw looks and compliments from players. The matte finish on the lower third of the stick compliments the design nicely, but it still maintains some shine on the top two thirds. Despite the stick having a stock length of 60 inches, it feels longer. Transitioning to a different brand for a game proved to be difficult as the other stick felt much shorter. Not to blame the Ai9, however, as the stock length pleases me with ice skates on and provides the perfect length and lie for someone who likes to stickhandle a bit away from their body.

Feel:

The traditional shape of the shaft on the Ai9 gives it a very natural feel in my hands and took no getting used to. The Griptonite grip of the shaft is subtle enough that I can still slide my hands easily up and down the length of the shaft, but provides enough grip to keep my hands locked in place when I want them to be. The presence of the grip on the shaft really had no adverse effects, and fans of a grip stick should be pleased with the Griptonite technology.

Feel for the puck with the Reebok Ai9 was tremendous. While I did go through a bit of an adjustment period after I first began using it, the Ai9 has proven to not only provide reliable puck feel when stickhandling, but accurate feel as well. Beyond just feeling that the puck is on my blade, I find I have a better feel for where the puck is on my blade – whether its on the heel, mid-blade, or toe. While the point may seem small, it’s a feel I was unable to achieve with an Easton EQ50 that led to a recurring problem of fanned shots.

After a few months of continuous usage, the Reebok Ai9 still flexes as though it were new. While I typically use 100 flex sticks, the 85 flex Reebok has proven to be very strong. The only other experience I have had with an 85 flex was on a Warrior Kronik, and it was unbelievably whippy. If you’re expecting a whippy 85 flex with the Ai9, you may want to reconsider which flex you choose. This 85 flex stick provides me with enough resistance on shots to really load up the shaft and expect a hard, fast shot.

As I noted in my initial impressions review, I had a bit of trouble catching passes when I first switched to the Ai9. When attempting to receive hard passes, the puck would sometimes jump off the blade or bounce when making contact. This problem has resolved itself, however, and I can attribute it to nothing more than an adjustment period as I got used to using a new stick. My best advice would be to make sure you use this stick in practice a couple times and are comfortable with the dynamics of the new stick before you take it into a game.

Shooting and Accuracy:

Where I truly expected to experience an adjustment period was in my shooting and accuracy. Using the Crosby curve, which I had been unfamiliar with, and a change in flex, I thought it would be a skate or two before I could place shots like I’m used to. To my surprise, however, my shot was hard and accurate from the first time I stepped onto the rink with the Ai9.

Wrist and snapshots, which I use frequently, pop off quite well from the mid-flex point shaft. As I stated above, the 85 flex loads up a bit heavier to me, more like the 100 flex Eastons that I’m accustomed to. The big selling point from the Easton Stealth RS that everyone talks about, besides its great design, is the way the puck pops off your blade on each shot. From my experience, the Reebok Ai9 produces just as much pop as an Easton Stealth RS, and costs a bit less too.

The great pop isn’t just noticeable on wrist shots, however, it’s also a big part of the reason why slapshots feel so good with this stick. My accuracy has always been less than terrific with slapshots though, and the Ai9 provided no exception. When it comes to picking a general area – high, low, left and right – I have no issues in hitting the right spot. However, when aiming for a top left corner above the goalies shoulder, my chances of hitting the corner will be about one in four. Of course, this can only be attributed to the player and not the stick, but it’s worth noting that the Ai9 does not improve my slapshot accuracy.

Reebok Ai9

Despite minor paint chips on the Reebok Ai9, it has been an incredibly durable stick

Durability:

My favorite part about using the Reebok Ai9 has been feeling comfortable with how strong the stick is. This stick has blocked shots, been hacked, slashed, stepped on, used for stick lifts and board play, but shows no awful signs of wear. Like any stick that has been used for period of a couple months, our Ai9 has its fair share of dings and paint chips. At the end of the day though, I never second guess leaning into a hard slapshot because I am so confident in it’s ability to load up and perform the way it did on day one.

In terms of stiffness, at this point the shaft feels just as potent as it did when we received it. Typically you can expect a shaft to be able to incur a maximum number of actions, in this case a flex and release, before it begins to lose stiffness. After using the Ai9 for a few months now, I’m very pleased with its slow rate of wear. The response has been similar with the blade, as it has suffered no loss of stiffness and remains strong in durability, along with puck feel.

Overall Impressions:

The Reebok Ai9 has been one of the better hockey sticks that I have used. I’m generally pleased with all aspects of the sticks performance, but especially pleased with the durability. If you’re paying an obnoxious amount for a hockey stick, as most of us do, the least we can expect is for it to not only perform, but last a long time as well.

When comparing this stick to other high end products on the market, you will definitely be pleased with what it has to offer. Overall performance is going to be similar to what you would see with an Easton Stealth RS, but it looks like Easton still has some durability issues to work out. While the Reebok Ai9 has gone up in price ($239.99 at Pure Hockey) compared to the Sickick III, it still comes in priced less than the Stealth RS and Bauer APX sticks (both $249.99). However small it may seem, this is still a win for the consumer.

At the end of the day, Reebok has produced a terrific high end hockey stick for a great value. I’ve never been a fan of Reebok sticks in the past, always using Easton or Bauer, but the Ai9 has definitely turned me into a believer. If you’re a fan of the other brands too, don’t shy away from this offering just because it’s a brand you haven’t used in the past. The Reebok Ai9 has changed my perception, and could definitely do the same for you.

Thinking of buying a new stick? Be sure to check out our reviews of other sticks including the Easton Stealth RS, the Warrior AK and the Miken Razor Z9. And be sure to visit Pure Hockey before you buy and use the coupon code HOCKEYWORLD  at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase.

Tags: , , , , ,

NHL Photo of the Day

Jan 30

Posted by EB in NHL Photo of the Day | No Comments

Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes checks Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins during the first period of the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. Chara with a big smile showed exactly what the NHL All-Star festivities is about; fun. From the heckling at the draft, neat shoot-out moves in the skills competition to the pick-up friendly All-Star game, the event was a success.

Tags: , , , ,

Don Cherry and His All-Star Game Outfit

Jan 29

Posted by Eddie in Media | 3 Comments

One of the beauties of growing up in Detroit is that we are so close to Canada that we are able to receive CBC. I’ve grown up watching Hockey Night in Canada for as long as I’ve been playing hockey (20 years). One of the guarantees in life is Death and Taxes. You should also add “Don Cherry wearing an outrageous outfit” to that list.

For as long as I can remember when Cherry makes his weekly appearances on Coaches Corner after the first intermission of the early game, his wardrobe is about as off the charts as his opinion on various topics related to hockey. It’s well known his love of Canadian players and his distaste for European players. When I was a kid, one of my favorite things about Cherry was his yearly Rock Em’ Sock Em’ Hockey videos that highlighted the best goals, saves, and hits of the previous season. You can find them on DVD if you haven’t already seen em.

His appearance at today’s NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa was no different than usual. If words speak a thousand  words. Check out the photo below.

Don Cherry (Left) and Ron MacLean have been together since 1987 on Coaches Corner.

Tags: ,

Miken Razor Z9 Hockey Stick Review 2

Jan 28

Posted by Matt in Reviews | 1 Comment

The following is a guest post written by Andy, who agreed to test the new Miken Z9 hockey stick for HockeyWorldBlog.com.  The Miken Razor Z9 was provided to us for review courtesy of Miken Hockey. Be sure to read Andy’s Miken Razor Z9 initial impressions review for a broader picture of the sticks look, capabilities and performance.

I’ve been using the Miken Razor Z9 for about 2 months now. I was immediately impressed by its feel and my instant connectivity to the stick. It felt like I had used this stick before and was very easy to switch into my arsenal. I was naturally concerned with the pro-stock feel, as they tend to break much easier than regular sticks. So, how has it fared? Check it out:

Miken Razor Z9

Miken Razor Z9

Specs:  Miken Razor Z9 Clear SR, Non-grip, BP40 curve, 100 flex

Modifications:  Cut 4-5” off the butt-end (essentially turning it into a 105 flex)

Appearance and Design:

I was originally excited to see the white stick when I first got it. I knew the paint would chip a little, but not many people had a white shaft on their stick, and felt it stood out. However, what I failed to realize was the dye from my gloves could wear off on the stick. I now have about a 4” light-blue smear midway down the shaft (around the “Z9” logo) from my bottom glove wearing on the stick. This is a very light mark, and hardly noticeable, yet is still there.

I also have a few chips out of the stick, namely on the blade. A few gratuitous slashes have taken small chunks from the top of the blade, and there are quite a few gashes and cuts in the paint along the bottom of the shaft. The blade faces seem to be in very good condition still, with no cracking to this point.

Feel:

Using this stick for ice and roller has given me the chance to really put it through the ringer. The stick is extremely light, and my arms don’t feel any more tired from holding it – which means I can put more power into my shots. The ice and roller pucks seem to stick to the blade and don’t kick off. The blade feels solid when catching passes and I feel confident even with the bouncing of the roller puck.

Shooting and Accuracy:

I have had no issues with shooting with this stick at all – in fact; my accuracy may have even improved. I feel more confident picking the corners, and the puck sauces off the blade perfectly on shots and passes. The puck explodes off my stick with slap shots, even breaking a roller puck (Sorry, Matt). My snap shots feel crisp, and go exactly where I have aimed them. Wrist shots don’t flutter, and feel smooth when released. I don’t feel I have lost anything in switching from my Easton S14, and have no problem switching between the 2 at will.

Durability:

As previously stated – this stick has worn very well considering its aggressive use. Sure, paint has been slashed off, and there are minor chips in the top of the blade, but overall, the stick still feels solid.

Miken Razor Z9 Blade

Miken Razor Z9 Blade with paint chips, but no cracks or serious damage

The first time I brought this stick out, I received a barrage of advice from others, letting me know how much they regretted buying other Miken sticks. They had told me horror stories about taking shots and feeling the stick disintegrate in their hands, or how the stick just lost its feel and seemed to decline in performance over time.

I have had none of these issues. The stick still feels like new. The shaft is still rigid, and the blade is still in stunningly great shape. There aren’t even any cracks forming on the faces. I take lots of slap shots, and the blade still feels solid, even after 2 solid months of use.

Overall Impressions:

For having that pro-stock feel, this stick was built well. My experiences with this stick have left me a believer. My shots haven’t lost any speed or accuracy, and the puck seems to stick to the blade when catching passes. We hockey players live by the same mantra – The better you look, the better you play. Aside from a few cosmetic wear marks, this stick has me looking better, and playing better.

Tags: , , , ,

Bauer Pro Goalie Skates

Jan 27

Posted by Matt in Gear | 3 Comments

While Bauer Hockey hangs around the All Star game in Ottawa this weekend, they continue to push out photos of upcoming gear taken at the Bauer booth. Below, we have a great shot of the new Bauer Pro goalie skates which were first featured on their Facebook fan page.

The Bauer Pro goalie skates feature a nice traditional black look. The slight red accents, featured on the top eyelet among other areas, adds a bit of extra flair to the skate. Overall, it’s a very clean look that most goalies should be happy with. Of course with a Bauer product you’re going to get top of the line materials and construction, but you should also expect to pay top dollar for it as well.

If you’re in the market for a new pair of goalie skates, you may want to hold off until the new Bauer Pro goalie skates are released. According to Bauer, they are scheduled for a retail release in April, 2012.

Check out the Bauer Pro goalie skates below and let us know what you think!

Bauer Pro Goalie Skates

Bauer Pro Goalie Skates

Tags: , , , ,

Fantasy Hockey Friday: NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft Recap

Jan 27

Posted by Chris in Fantasy | No Comments

With a shortened Fantasy Hockey week thanks to the NHL All-Star Weekend, what better topic to discuss on Fantasy Hockey Friday than the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft that took place last night?

The second annual NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft had a little bit of everything, from surprise picks to cheers and jeers from the home crowd in Ottawa, to rivalries that can’t yet be put aside and a first-hand look at players sitting back, enjoying themselves and the game they love.

The night started off with a great show of sportmanship by Daniel Alfredsson, the homewtown captain of the Ottawa Senators and one of the All-Star Game captains, when he yielded to Zdeno Chara, captain for the “visiting” team, and allowed him to call the toss of the puck because he is the defending Stanley Cup Champion. As it turned out, Chara called correctly and received the first overall pick with co-captain Joffrey Lupul by his side.

NHL All Star Draft Pavel Datsyuk Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chara poses for pictures with Pavel Datsyuk, the #1 overall pick in the NHL All Star Draft

Most fans figured Evgeni Malkin, who currently leads the league in points, or Claude Giroux, a close second behind Malkin, would be taken first overall. Instead, Chara decided to go a different route and picked Pavel Datsyuk, a highly skilled puck handler and someone Chara thinks “plays the game the right way.” Datsyuk should have no problem setting up some of the goal scorers that Chara later picked, including Malkin, Gaborik, Kane, Hossa, Perry and Iginla.

Team bonds and friendships won out afterward as Alfredsson and his co-captain Henrik Lundqvist picked young defenseman Erik Karlsson, a teammate of Alfredsson’s in Ottawa. In the second round, Chara followed suite and grabbed Tim Thomas, his teammate in Boston, while Alfredsson picked Jason Spezza, another Ottawa teammate. With that pick, Spezza became $20 poorer when it was later revealed that he had bet Malkin $20 that Malkin would be picked before him.

By the end of the night, Chara had all of the Boston players while Alfredsson had all of the Ottawa Senators.

This year’s Mr. Irrelevant, the last picked player in the draft, came down to two young players who didn’t share ties with either of the captains or co-captains. Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks were the last two remaining on the stage with Chara left to pick his last player and determine who would become the last pick of the draft and this year’s Mr. Irrelevant – a spot that Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs found himself in last season.

Again, Chara showed class on stage and picked Benn over Couture because, as Chara prefaced before the pick, Benn deserved to not be last after having emergency appendectomy surgery recently and still showed up to play this weekend. The All-Star Game on Sunday will be Benn’s first game back after the surgery in any capacity.

Don’t feel too bad for Couture, though. Being last picked in the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft has its merits as Couture walked away with a free car.

Here are a few more thoughts and notes about the draft last night:

  • Turns out, some rivalries are a bit tougher to put aside than others. Daniel Sedin went to Team Alfredsson in the 9th round. Daniel’s brother Henrik sat on the board until Round 13, where he was also drafted by Team Alfredsson. Chara had several opportunities to split up the brothers but opted not to. Evidently Chara has a long memory and the Boston Bruins defenseman didn’t want anything to do with any of the Vancouver Cancucks players. The remaining Canuck, Alexander Edler, also went to Team Alfredsson.
  • The Ottawa Senators fans in attendance made their disdain for the Toronto Maple Leafs well know. Any time Joffrey Lupul attempted to make a selection for Team Chara, he was met with a loud chorus of boos and jeers. In fact, it actually got quite annoying to watch as a spectator as the jeers continued even into the late rounds of the draft. Lupul shrugged it off and acted like he didn’t mind, but at times he seemed annoyed with the fans in the crowd as well.
  • Another car for the last man picked? Come on NHL, these are guys that get stitched up in the locker room in between periods and then come back out on the ice to finish a game. I think they can handle being the last picked just fine without giving them a car to help soften the blow to their ego. I think a donation to the player’s favorite charity would be more than enough.
  • Please stop interviewing Phil Kessel. Really, just skip over him and don’t let him near a mic. His responses were just a lot of, “Oh, I don’t know,” and, “It doesn’t matter.” Tyler Seguin is on thin ice for similar responses as well.
  •  Best zing of the night goes to Jeremy Roenick for his Marian Gaborik comment after the draft was over. After being selected by Team Chara, Gaborik walked halfway across the stage toward Team Alfredsson’s side. This brought a round of laughter from the crowd and the players in attendance. Roenick later commented that “it’s a good thing New York signed Brad Richards so he can at least point Gaborik toward the right net.”
  • The NHL’s promotion of social media was very apparant last night – and it made for interesting commentary. Having the players live Tweet the event and then reading them on air was a really cool social media maneuver that offered inside access for fans. But the NHL needs to do one thing from here on out – get Alyonka Larionov in front of the camera whenever, wherever and as often as possible. Enough said.
  • Looking over each roster, I’ve gotta give the advantage to Team Chara. I think they assembled a team more geared toward offensive production and, let’s face it, the All-Star Game is all about offense. But Team Alfredsson edges out Team Chara in goaltending, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out on Sunday.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

NHL Photo of the Day

Jan 27

Posted by EB in Media, News, NHL Photo of the Day | No Comments

Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

Captain Zdeno Chara and Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins show a little love after Chara left Seguin among the final four to be chosen in the 2012  NHL All-Star Draft. Seguin, once picked, was greeted with a smiling Chara asking, “Want to hug it out?”. One of the funnier moments of the night.

It looks to be a good lineup for both teams. Anyone else hoping for a Pavel Datsyuk / Evgeni Malkin line?

Tags: , , , , , , ,

NHL Photo of the Day

Jan 26

Posted by EB in Media, News, NHL Photo of the Day | No Comments

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson

Montreal Canadiens’ Rene Bourque celebrates with Tomas Plekanec after netting a goal in the first period. Bourque was recently acquired in a highly publicized trade that saw Mike Cammalleri being traded after making negative comments about the club.

The Canadiens won by a landslide, a 7 – 2 final score that ran Red Wings’ netminder Jimmy Howard from the net. The win ended the Red Wings 7 game winning streak and has given the Canadiens a little lift as the NHL breaks for the All-Star weekend. Currently sitting in 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, 8 points out of 8th seed, more wins like this one are needed if they hope to make the playoffs.

Tags: , , , , , ,