Cascade M11 Helmet Review - "The Messier Project"

When you’re looking for a hockey helmet, 3 factors play a major role in your decision; comfort, weight and protection. The Cascade M11 Helmet meets all three criterions with virtual impeccability. Known as the Messier Project, former NHL player and recent Hall of Fame inductee Mark Messier assembled a team of researchers and hockey experts to design a hockey helmet that would revolutionize head protection. The end result was the production of the Cascade M11 helmet, which meets and exceeds all of the rigorous protection standards for certification by HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association).

M11 Ratchet System

Hockey helmets have come a long way in recent years with the implementation of high tech foams, tool-free adjustment mechanisms, and lightweight materials. Rest assured, the Cascade M11 is composed of the highest quality materials and the best technology available. One of the coolest features of the M11 helmet is the ratchet adjustment system which allows you to quickly and easily secure the helmet below the occipital lobe for a comfortable, snug fit. Adjustments can be made on the fly with a couple quick clicks of the ratchet. This design feature is incredibly convenient and easy to use.

M11 Seven Technology

Cascade’s proprietary Seven Technology offers incredible protection without sacrificing even the slightest amount of comfort. The liner compresses to absorb shock upon impact and immediately resets to its original form once the energy is dispersed. The materials are incredibly resilient and the revolutionary design is built to handle multiple impacts with better results than the standard EPP foam used in most helmets.

Cascade M11 – Head Protection At Its Best

Not only does the M11 provide a great fit, superior protection and excellent ventilation, the shell design is cutting edge and is offered in 225 unique color combinations. The Cascade M11 helmet was built to address every player’s need for protection, comfort, fit, and style – The Messier Project was an absolute success.

Buy the Cascade M11 Hockey Helmet at HockeyGiant.com

Easton Stealth S19 Z-Shock Helmet Review

With every passing season, manufacturers somehow manage to produce lighter and lighter gear to meet the needs of players at the highest levels of competition. In recent years, the focus has been on skates and sticks, with breakthrough products such as the Bauer Supreme TotalOne Skates and CCM U+ Crazy Light Stick. 2010 marks the year that Easton produced the lightest high-performance hockey helmet ever made: The Easton Stealth S19 Z-Shock Hockey Helmet. Weighing in at less than 350 grams, the S19 helmet is nearly 1/2 the weight of most other high performance hockey helmets, putting it in a class of its own.

Easton was able to accomplish this lightweight design by implementing several subtle changes to the traditional design. First, Easton eliminated a large amount of excess shell material with their "Monocoque" construction, a one-piece shell design which enabled them to pad the helmet with more EPP foam while streamlining the contour of the shell. Traditional helmets are constructed with two separate shell pieces which can be compressed and elongated to make size adjustments; the S19 Z-Shock is a one-piece design so the adjustment mechanism is an internal band which operates the same way as the adjustment strap on a baseball hat (pictured below).

With as much EPP foam as they were able to stuff into the S19 Helmet, you'd assume that comfort would be compromised for the sake of protection – not so. The S19 Z-Shock is lined with comfortable, antimicrobial pads that are strategically placed to provide a soft, snug fit. Minimizing the amount of hardware used was also one of the keys to constructing the lightest helmet possible. The one piece design required no adjustment screws and the ear pieces were attached flush to the edges of the earholes on the helmet to further reduce material overlap.

Every feature of the S19 helmet combines the innovative technology of Bell Sports with the well crafted touch of Easton's hockey engineers. The result: "The Next Big Thing"... the Easton S19 Z-Shock Helmet.

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Inline Hockey Wheels: What is a Durometer Rating?

Inline hockey wheels are available in many variations according to size, color, bearing type and durometer. Durometer is a numerical expression which indicates the hardness of a wheel. The lower the number, the softer the wheel. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. Durometer ratings for inline hockey wheels range from 74A to 84A, although there are some wheels offered above and below this range. Durometer ratings are used to help you find the wheels that will offer the proper amount of surface grip and durability. If you're interested in reading a technical explanation of durometer ratings and how they're determined, read the following article: "Shore (Durometer) Hardness Test"

Once again, a lower durometer rating (i.e. 74A) indicates a softer wheel with more surface grip and a higher durometer rating (i.e. 84A) indicates a harder, more durable wheel with less surface grip. The reason that wheels with a lower durometer rating have a tackier grip texture than high durometer wheels is to compensate for the slick surface upon which soft, low durometer wheels are used. Sport court is a relatively smooth, slick surface made of plastic/rubber tiles, and usually 74A and 76A wheels are the best choice. Outdoor wheels with 82A or 84A durometer do not have as much grip texture because outdoor surfaces like asphalt provide plenty of grit and texture on their own, which is countered by the hardness of outdoor wheels, making them more durable and practical for that specific application.

It’s also very important to consider the weight of the skater using the wheels. Although a heavy player may be able to get away with using a soft wheel on a smooth surface without having a completely adverse effect on the durability, the wheels may feel like flat tires, which drastically affects performance. If too much weight is being absorbed by the wheels then they will compress too much to hold their form. It's all about finding the perfect balance of durability, grip and rigidity. Below is a general breakdown of the intended use for inline hockey wheels in each durometer class.

• 72A (XX-Soft) – This is an unconventionally soft durometer. These inline wheels should only be used on an indoor, sport court surface by a skater who weighs 150 lbs or less.


• 74A (X-Soft) – This is a commonly used durometer by players under 190 lbs on an indoor sport court surface. Players under 130 lbs should be able to use 74A inline wheels on a smooth, wood surface without wearing them out too quickly.


• 76A (Soft) – This is probably the most commonly used durometer. Players weighing 210 lbs or less can use this type of inline wheel on an indoor sport court surface without experiencing much of the “flat tire” effect. Players who are 140 lbs or less can pretty safely use this type of inline wheel on a wood surface as well.


• 78A (Multi-surface) – Inline wheels with a rating of 78A are typically referred to as multi-surface wheels because they are hard enough to handle sealed cement and wood surfaces while still maintaining enough grip to be used on a sport court surface with relatively good results. Players in the 190-250 lb range can effectively use this type of wheel on an indoor sport court surface. Skaters in the range of 150-220 lbs can pretty safely use this type of wheel on a wood surface. Players under 200 lbs ought to be able to use this durometer on a very smooth, painted concrete surface without severely decreasing the life of the wheels.


• 80A (Multi-surface) – An 80A inline wheel can still be considered a multi-surface wheel but of course it will have less grip than a 78A. This type of wheel is not highly recommended for use on a sport court surface. It is best suited for wood surfaces, in any weight class. On a sealed cement surface this durometer will hold up well, but is probably going to be a bit too hard to grip the surface as well as a 78A wheel.


• 82A (Outdoor) – An inline wheel with an 82A durometer is hard enough to be used on unsealed sidewalk cement, and it should hold up fairly well on asphalt for players under 180 lbs. It can be used on a sealed cement surface as well, but there will likely be substandard results due to the lack of grip provided by such a wheel as hard as this.


• 84A (Outdoor/Asphalt) – This is just about the hardest inline hockey wheel you will find. It is absolutely an outdoor wheel intended specifically for sidewalk concrete or asphalt surfaces. Skaters of any size can use this type of wheel on a blacktop or asphalt surface with favorable results. This type of wheel is not recommended for smooth, sealed concrete surfaces. It is best suited for street hockey on asphalt and gritty concrete.

Buy inline hockey wheels at HockeyGiant.com

Combat Hockey Sticks - High Caliber Performance

When a hockey player grabs a stick from the rack, leans on it to give it a good bend, peers down the shaft like it's the scope of a rifle, and taps the heel of the blade on the ground beneath, what exactly is he looking for? "Feel"... If it doesn't feel right, he ain't buyin' it. Of course, the feel of the stick is just one aspect of its "personality". 'Where's the kick-point?', 'How quickly does it load and release?' and 'Is it gonna break on the 31st day?'... These are all questions that every player asks himself when considering his next weapon of choice.

There are many sticks on the market that offer just about everything you could ever ask for - things that players never even dreamed of 10 years ago. But at what cost? Here's where the Ballistik/Combat sticks take the cake. Combat may be a new name to you, but they've been around for a good while, making top-notch baseball bats and softball gear. They've been manufacturing hockey sticks since 1994, most recently under the name Ballistik, which has now been replaced with the Combat name. These guys have been around since the pre-OPS days, developing their stick technology right alongside the big names we're all so used to seeing, like Easton, Bauer, CCM, Sherwood and Reebok.

I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Combat 45 Caliber Hockey Stick, 100 flex (MC Curve - Modano). At the list price of $134.99 you'll have a tough time finding another stick that weighs less than 470 grams — and to top it off, the 45 Cal is a TRUE one piece composite. In fact, every Combat stick down to the 22 Caliber is a TRUE one-piece. No other manufacturer can say that their price-point sticks are true OPS's, but Combat can. And I'll tell you something else — the 45 Caliber performs like a $180 stick from almost any other manufacturer. With a mid to low-mid kick point, the 45 Cal delivered a lightning-quick release on my snapshot and booming power on my slappers. The feel of the stick was fantastic. It has sort of a square/rounded edge hybrid feel, so you get a good grip on the stick without sacrificing comfort and playability. The walls are slightly concave, but not overwhelmingly so. After just an hour out on the ice, I couldn't believe the amount of punch that the 45 Caliber delivered for such a low price.

Make no mistake about it, Combat sticks are high quality, top notch twigs that perform with the best of the best, and they're incredibly durable & resilient. I would highly recommend that you take a chance—nay, seize the opportunity, to experience the superior performance of Combat hockey sticks. Combat offers their sticks in 7 versatile patterns, based on the most popular curves on the market. So you shouldn't have any trouble finding a pattern that suits your needs.

At HockeyGiant.com, we've got you covered with the 52 Caliber, 45 Caliber, 22 Caliber and 12 Caliber Combat one-piece composite hockey sticks in the most popular blade patterns. We also offer the Combat 52 Caliber, 45 Caliber and 22 Caliber standard hosel composite hockey shafts for the guys who prefer the two-piece twig. At such great prices, what are you waiting for?

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Kamazu Hockey Jerseys - A New Name In The Game

If you're looking for an affordable, high-quality, solid color or NHL team color practice jersey, there's a new name in the game: Kamazu. Hockey players aren't the pickiest athletes in the world when it comes to "fashionable" gear, but we certainly don't pick our battle armor indiscriminantly. Nobody wants to step on the ice looking like a bender, so all of us (or most of us) make sure to suit up with the best of what's around.

Kamazu hockey jerseys are constructed with the player in mind. They offer a slick look, a comfortable fit, excellent breathability, and a wide variety of color options. The best part, Kamazu jerseys are ridiculously affordable. If you're a pickup player, pond hockey king, beer-leaguer, or a coach on a tight budget looking for a great deal on a set of jerseys for your team, the Kamazu jerseys make an excellent pick.

It's always good to have options, and Kamazu delivers the goods with the Kamazu Flexx Lite Team Jerseys in 10 NHL team color options in Senior sizes Small through XXL plus goalie cut, and the Kamazu Classic Practice Hockey Jerseys in 13 solid colors offered in Junior and Senior sizes, also available in goalie cut.

Kamazu also makes high quality performance apparel shirts. The shirts come in 4 colors – black, navy, red, and white. Made with 100% polyester, the Kamazu performance shirts are lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you comfortable and dry. Did we mention that they're also incredibly affordable?

What more could you possibly ask for? A team sale discount? You've got it. 8 or more jerseys on an order is all it takes to qualify for a team sale. Call for details at 1-800-633-5999 and hit extension 5, or simply ask to speak to someone in team sales once you've been connected with one of our customer service reps. Grab 'em before it's too late!

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Quick Tips For Improving Your Puck Handling Skills

Q: How do I improve my puck handling skills?

A: Puck handing skills can be improved by practicing puck handling drills, using training pucks and experimenting with different blade patterns until you find the one that works best for you. It’s also important to strengthen your forearms and hands with workout routines that target the muscles which are used in puck handling.

One of the most popular puck handling drills is the figure 8. You can place two small cones, your gloves or other stationary objects on the ground and stickhandle around the objects. Make a habit of keeping your head up while you handle the puck so that you are able to protect yourself during a game when other players are lining you up for a hit. When you’re practicing any puck handling drill it is important to focus on moving the puck in a fluid motion that requires the smallest amount possible of forehand to backhand puck movement. Having good hands doesn’t mean that you can simply move the puck back and forth at 100 miles per hour – it means that you’re able to maintain complete control of the puck without over-handling it. Quick, soft hands are better than quick, choppy hands.

Use weighted pucks and stick weights while practicing and you’ll notice a drastic difference in the ease with which you are able to deke and dangle while using a regulation puck during a game. Keep in mind that muscle memory is a huge part of performing any athletic maneuver, so after training with a weighted puck you’ll need to give your muscles time to adjust to the weight of a regulation hockey puck before you start playing in a game.

You can relate it to the way that your legs feel when you’ve been running on a treadmill and then you step off of the treadmill and begin to walk on the ground again – you feel like the ground can’t keep up with your legs. Similarly, the puck will feel much lighter as you’re handling it and at first it may feel a bit awkward because your muscles are anticipating more weight resistance from the puck. But, eventually your muscles readjust and you’re able to handle the puck with greater control and precision because less effort is required due to the decrease in weight.

Another way to improve your puckhandling skills is to explore different blade pattern options. Blade patterns are available in many variations and the differences are evident in the way that you are able to handle the puck with each different pattern. Make sure you experiment with many different types before settling on one or another. And keep in mind that each blade pattern offers a different set of puck handling pros and cons. Some blades offer great forehand puck protection; others will improve your toe drag; some will cause the puck to rest on your heel while others cause it to settle on the middle or toe of the blade. All of these options are available to you so that you are able to enhance your game as an individual with a unique skill set and playing style.

Buy Hockey Training Tools at HockeyGiant.com

One-Piece vs Two-Piece Hockey Sticks

Many people ask the question, "Are one piece sticks better than two piece sticks?" The short answer is that from a technological standpoint, yes, OPS's are "better" than two piece hockey sticks. These days, everyone is looking to get their hands on the lightest gear available, and hockey sticks are leading the way in the race toward weightless equipment. A lighter stick means less energy and strength required for the player to shoot, pass and handle the puck. This translates to harder shots, quicker hands and greater energy conservation throughout the game.

In addition to the decreased weight of an OPS, the design also provides a more consistent feel throughout the shaft and blade because the vibrations are not interrupted by the material barrier present with the conjoining of a shaft and blade. Traditional one piece wood sticks still provide, arguably, the best overall feel because of the excellent vibration properties of wood. But, composite OPS's are a close second to wood sticks.

Another benefit of the one piece design is the increased shot power and quicker release generated by the low kick point at the blade/shaft hosel part of the stick, which is not as effectively accomplished with the two piece design because of the overlap of blade and shaft materials. Manufacturers are able to increase flexibility near the crook of the shaft while increasing stiffness in the blade and upper portion of the shaft, which enables the shooter to flex the shaft right above the blade. A low kick-point is particularly effective for generating quick, powerful, accurate snapshots.

The benefit of using a two piece shaft and blade combo is that you are able to replace the blade when it breaks and continue using the shaft which remains intact. Also, you are able to mix and match shafts and blades to create combinations that are unique and otherwise unavailable in OPS form as offered by the manufacturers. This is especially beneficial to players who prefer the feel of wood blades but would also like to benefit from the rigidity, consistency and lightweight materials of composite shafts.

Most NHL players now use one piece composite hockey sticks but there are still many who prefer to use two piece hockey sticks. All things considered, it boils down to a matter of personal preference.

Buy One Piece Composite Hockey Sticks at HockeyGiant.com