Archive for the ‘Hockey’ Category

This is an overview and the first in a series of detailed, and sometimes technical articles about “ice hockey sticks”. I developed expertise in my quest to provide the specifications of my needs to ice hockey stick manufacturers who could custom make them for me; the ultimate performance sticks for my own comfort and style of ice hockey. Sticks are the subject of many many articles and it became problematic that most articles available for research were minimally written, contradictory in technical and characteristic specs, and based mostly upon personal opinions of the authors without much research, and in many cases not based on much experience.

Out of my experience, and my research to design and build my own instead of worrying about how to buy hockey sticks, came the following article subjects for you to research your purchases:

• Ice Hockey Stick Construction
• Stick Size
• Blades
• Curves
• Flex
• How to Tape
• Maintenance

Why would I want to pay so much to have my own custom made sticks?

Other than the players themselves, the most important item is the stick. Well, unless we’re talking specifically for use on ice – they would then be third; skates are kind of important. Since most of what matters between me and the opposing net is what I hold in my hands, I want my stick to be mine, not Ovechkin’s. Ovechkin does his things on ice and I do mine, though not as well as he does his. You do your stuff on ice and have to determine your own requirements. Yours are different than mine and Ovechkin’s too. Does that mean you need “custom made sticks“?

Buy Hockey Stick – Facts

Why pay for the facts? To find and buy the right stick for you, I’m giving you everything you need to know in the comprehensive series on the NHI website mentioned below. No charge! With the right stick (or left stick!) hopefully soon you’ll be better than Ovie.

Buy Hockey Stick – Basics

Both off the shelf and custom sticks have a top and a bottom, and there’s something rather important at each end. The blade of the stick at the bottom end of the shaft is the part of the stick that touches the puck for stickhandling, passing, and shooting (sometimes hooking!). I told you this was the basics! By the way, the blade should be flat on the ice at most times, or whatever surface you’re playing on. The butt end is at the opposite end of the shaft where your top hand holds the stick. There isn’t much to know about the butt end except how and why to tape it.

Read in depth about how to buy hockey sticks at the link below.

Buy Hockey Sticks

Which is the best hockey stick for you?

Hockey players should understand themselves and what their needs are before trying to understand various characteristics. Among other things, you should come to terms with: If you’re a forward, a defender, or a goalie; a play maker, checker, passer, or sniper; or if you are a tricky deke and dangler. You may fill many rolls and have to pick a generic stick to fill many needs. Also consider where you’re headed (what you want to be able to do), because you might be on defense now but want to be a stickhandler with dekes and dangles, or a sniper soon, and are practicing at it hard. In that case, maybe you’ll need one for defense and one to practice other things.

Try a variety of ice hockey sticks before making a selection. Factors such as weight; shaft shape, texture, circumference, length, flex; blade size, shape, curve, lie, face, tape; and materials used in construction of the stick and blade can either improve upon or detract from anyone’s game in the sport of ice hockey. Stick manufacturer or Brand Name ice hockey sticks mean nothing and many are made in the same place anyway.

Be aware of the shaft height and circumference to buy. Hockey sticks are categorized in youth, intermediate, and adult sizes. Hand size is considered in young players’ sticks where the circumference of the shaft is smaller. Don’t buy an adult stick and cut it way down, because that changes the intended dynamics of the stick, such as but not limited to the flex.

Go for the composition that suits your size and strength (weight and dimensions of stick), type of play (position, style, level), and wallet (price).

Buy the Best Hockey Stick For You

Things to note when you’re ready to buy. Hockey sticks should be tested in the store for feel and function, then tried out. If it’s not right in a game, then note what you want to improve and choose differently next time. Once you find what works for you, stick with it. Note all of its specs and shop for them repeatedly. The specs of your best stick might be available under a different name later, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the best. Hockey stick specs are all that matter. It is advisable to pick the best hockey stick that works in most ways for you, so that you don’t have to think when the time comes to replace it. You’ll know what you need and will be able to just go buy. Hockey stick replacement is inevitable, so don’t buy the most expensive one. Pick one that does what you need it to do and can be replaced in a week if necessary.

Steps To Buy Your Best Hockey Stick

• Find the right Size: Adult, Intermediate, Youth.
• Find the right Curve: Left, Right, Straight.
• Find a good Flex: Lean slightly on a stick to determine its flex for your strength.
• Choose a Blade: Size, shape, amount of curve.
• Determine the Lie: Stand the way you’d position your body in a game based on your position and style. The blade should be flat on the ground. Lie will change when you crouch or straighten up, so go for your average stance. Hold your hand where the cut will be at the top of the shaft, because length will change Lie also.

Ice Hockey Stick Storage

As a side note, I’d like to add that it is not advisable to store ice hockey sticks in the garage or a car in the summer or southern parts of the country because of the heat. Keep sticks indoors when not in use. Basically, if you remain comfortable in an environment for hours at a time, so will your ice hockey sticks.

Extreme heat can dry out wooden sticks rendering them less flexible and easier to break.

Prolonged heat can cause composite sticks to become more brittle and even make blades come unglued. Composite blades that are different plies glued together can split and separate in heat.

Ice hockey sticks for shooting the puck, checking puck carriers, passing to team mates, stickhandling, dangles and dekes are researched in detail on NHLhockeyice.com. NHI is your source for the best path to the NHL.

Author: S. Chard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Video news

The biggest difference between ice hockey and roller hockey (inline hockey) is obviously the surface on which the sport is played. Ice hockey is either played on frozen ponds or on indoor ice rinks. As a result, ice hockey can be inaccessible to many people, especially those living in the southern United States. Inline hockey offers one distinct advantage over ice hockey in that it can be played on any paved surface. In fact, many inline leagues and pickup games take place on outdoor basketball and tennis courts.

Besides the differences in playing surface, there are several significant rule differences between the two sports. The most significant of these rule differences is that ice hockey is played with five skaters per team, whereas inline hockey is only played with four. Furthermore, a standard game of inline hockey has no offsides or icing rules. In other words, skaters generally have more freedom to skate and shoot in inline hockey. Finally, many inline hockey leagues are played using a ball rather than a puck. For players used to using a puck, adjusting to a ball can be quite difficult because of its different characteristics of movement on the court.

In general, the roller hockey player also uses less equipment. While shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, and a helmet are all necessary to play either sport, inline hockey players generally do not wear shoulder pads or breezers (ice hockey pants). This is because roller hockey pucks and balls are not nearly as hard as a frozen puck and most inline leagues are non-checking.

So which sport should you play? Ice and roller hockey are both tremendously fun to play, with some subtle differences in style of play and rules. Many hockey players actually play in both inline and ice hockey leagues. The type of hockey that is right for you is based completely on preference. Both types of hockey can be extremely competitive and challenging. I recommend that one play in both types of leagues in order to gain a better feel for each sport. Either way, start skating and practicing as soon as possible. Hockey is a tough sport to learn but a rewarding one to play.

Ron Capurso is the author of a popular Disc Golf Blog. And contributes to a Hockey Bearing website

Author: Ron Capurso
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

If you are a high school hockey player or a junior hockey player you are probably wondering how to take your game to the next level. Getting scouted or recruited to play NCAA college hockey can be a very difficult task if you do not know what to do. Hopefully this article will help with this important aspect of your hockey development. Don not wait to do this until your senior year. Plan, prepare and promote yourself now!

College Hockey Recruiting Tip # 1. Play every game as if scouts are watching.

Regardless of what hockey team you are playing, prepare yourself as if it could be your chance to impress. Even if scouts are not in attendance, another person may see your talents and pass the information on to a coach or scout. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible. Develop a solid off ice hockey training program and stick to it all year long. You may not play in a hockey hot bed, but if you are a good player and want it bad enough the sky is the limit.

College Hockey Recruiting Tip # 2. Market yourself.

With the advancements in technology you have access to some of the greatest marketing tools available. Create a hockey highlight reel that showcases your hockey skills. Ask a friend or a family member to record your games. Not only is this great for your highlight reel, but you should watch your games and learn from your mistakes. Professional hockey players watch their games routinely. It is a great exercise for improving your game. At the end of the season review all your game tapes and select the best you have to offer. Create a short video (5 – 10 minutes) and post it on Youtube or another video publishing site. Once your highlight reel is complete you can easily link to your highlight reel in emails you send to college hockey coaches.

College Hockey Recruiting Tip # 3. Contact college hockey coaches.

A great resource is USCHO.com you can find out who the coaches are for any US College hockey team. Once you find the contacts, find their emails or phone numbers and get in touch. This is probably the hardest step. You can use the Great One’s advice when contacting these coaches “You will miss 100% of the shots you do not take.” Ask any successful person how they achieved their success and I can guarantee you they will mention networking or stepping outside their comfort zone. As mentioned above, if you want to play college hockey you will!!

Copyright 2010 Hockeytrain.com. Get FREE SHIPPING on all ice hockey training equipment orders over $139.00, including off ice hockey training aids and hockey training equipment packages. Find hockey training gear, hockey shooting tarps, and hockey slide boards at Hockeytrain.com.

Learn more about hockey training at the Hockeytrain.com Train Tracks Blog.

Reprint Rights: Article must be published in its entirety as written and include the copyright section, author bio, and active URL links.

Author: Ryan Spencer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Unix inter-process communication (IPC)

Easton hockey sticks have a well deserved reputation as being some of the best and most popular around. The company has continued to lead the hockey world in innovation across a variety of areas, and makes products that all players can benefit from, regardless of skill or experience level. Most importantly, Easton hockey sticks were the first to deliver composite hockey sticks, the one piece beasts that now dominate in all levels of the sport.

Take a look at some information to help you get started understanding the history of these products as well as what’s available today. You’ll see that there are plenty of great reasons why Easton hockey sticks continue to be leaders in the industry, and the go-to choice for many individuals all across the globe.

Composite Hockey Sticks

It’s hard to imagine, but it’s only been a decade since the composite hockey sticks were first introduced. In the year 2000, Easton hockey sticks added the Synergy to their lineup, and it immediately started to make a huge impact. It was the lightest production stick in the world and had a variety of patents based upon the exact construction and style of the stick.

Then rookie Devils player Scott Gomez became the first NHL hockey player to use it, he was immediately won over.In an interview he said:

“It gives a better release, a harder shot, better everything, what else can you ask for?”

Other players also began to quickly adapt, and within a short few years, composite hockey sticks went from a new upstart trend to the vast majority of what was used by the best players in the world.

Fast forward to 2010, and composite hockey sticks are essentially the only option that the best players turn to, even including old holdouts that were sticking with their wooden sticks. All of the major brands for hockey gear make their own versions of composite hockey sticks, including of course Easton, as well as CCM, Bauer, Reebok, Warrior and so on down the line.

So what makes composite hockey sticks so popular and so highly rated? The bottom line is that they improve on the basic quality of a stick to improve all of the results. The sticks are lighter and stronger thanks to the materials used, ranging from Carbon Fiber to Kevlar and Composites of various other materials. You can shoot harder shots, shoot with more accuracy from longer distances and you can get off your shots quicker while handling the puck and making passes with more precision.

It all started 10 years ago with the Synergy, and Easton hockey sticks have continued to build upon that great foundation of success. Over the years, materials have been changed and improved, specific adjustments to style and construction have been made and so forth, but the Synergy legacy and brand name stays alive. All of the composite hockey sticks from Easton available today are either in the Synergy or Stealth family.

One of the most popular and most advanced of them all is the S19, which is in the Stealth lineup. It features a Kevlar wrapped compression molded shaft, special shape and design of the blade, newly engineered materials and more. It’s even available in special Olympic limited editions, for Canada, the USA and Finland. Other current composite hockey sticks in the Stealth lineup include the S13, S7 and S3.

In the Synergy lineup of Easton hockey sticks you’ll find lots of different options across many different price ranges. The Synergy SE1 has 100% composite blade construction, a Pro Radius shaft design and 4×4 Carbon reinforcement glass laminate shaft construction, all at an accessible price. Meanwhile the SE16 takes things up a few more notches with Focus Weight Technology, Kevlar wrapped shaft, the Micro-Bladder process and Micro-Rib structure of the blade for improved flex, accuracy, control and feel and much more.

The Synergy ST stands for “Super Tough”, and it’s about “pure power”. It uses the Synergy shaft with a resin transfer molded blade and Shox technology to help provide the hardest shots and the most power that you can find anywhere. It features a low kick point for reflexive load and release, the 3-Rib blade design for improved performance and durability and much more.

From there you’ll find many other options as well, each of which serves a unique purpose. For example the SE6 Junior and Senior stick features the low kick point Synergy construction and a forgiving blade that makes for pristine puck handling and passing. You’ll also find in the Synergy lineup the SE2, as well as the SE6 Canada Olympic LE. The SE16 mentioned above is available both in Youth, Junior and Senior

Of course, the Easton hockey sticks lineup does include other options besides the composite hockey sticks. They make a handful of different wooden sticks, all of which feature precision designs as well. For example, the Synergy ABS wood stick is made from Baltic birch plywood, and has an ABS/Fiber paddle. Other options include the SY50, SY70 and SY90. The SY90 for instance includes a Pro radius shaft design, carbon laminate shaft construction and Carbon/Kevlar reinforced sock wave, making it durable and offering great control for a wood stick.

Easton hockey sticks are some of the most respected out there right now, and they have led the pack in terms of innovation and quality over the years. It’s been just a decade since the introduction of the first composite hockey sticks, but now they are the golden standard, used by nearly everyone and continued to be improved upon. With great control and precision, light weights and high speeds, composite hockey sticks will continue to get better, and you can bank on Easton being one of the premier companies to help that process along in the future.

Ken Abbott has been in the specialist retail sports equipment business for 18 years, running three retail shops and for the last ten years, a thriving online mail order business. More recently he is now focusing his energies on advising and helping less experienced marketeers and also combining with like minded people to develop internet marketing strategies and ideas. You can visit his website at: http://www.easton-hockey-sticks.com

Author: Ken Abbott
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty