My #MarliesHost Video Obsession

August 3rd, 11:00 AM

Working at your LHS keeps me pretty busy but not busy enough to prevent me from checking Twitter whenever I can. Lucky me, the Marlies made their Live Host search announcement almost immediately after I started scanning the news. I'd been applying to a lot of jobs since my Print Journalism graduation but none had appealed to me as much as a chance to combine my love of hockey and my love of journalism. 

After making a few calls or in this day of technology, texting a few people, my friend Alan agreed to help me and lend his expertise to my cause. We filmed much of my video at my LHS where I spend much of my time not only talking about hockey but outfitting others to safely enjoy the sport I love. From the wall of goalie pads to the wall of skates, there was nowhere we could film that the backdrop would not be a great shot of something hockey related. It was also my hope to do some filming on the ice, where I am truly at home. During the hockey season I spend almost every weekend reffing, working hard to pursue my dream of stepping on the ice at the Olympics. 

Fortunately for me I am surrounded by people who support me and are kind and awesome enough to help me out when I ask. I'd like to thank everyone at the Milton Sports Complex that allowed me time on the ice to film parts of my video. They helped me out even with the short notice and I believe its use really brought my video home for me. I've always been comfortable in front of the camera but I've never felt more at ease than talking about my love of hockey and my desire to be not only a part of but the face of the Marlies organization. 

Since the moment I submitted my video in the running I have been anxious to hear the result. With less than 24 hours until the deadline comes I can feel myself becoming more excited for the next step of the process. I can only hope that the Marlies see the passion that I feel so strongly in myself. My father and I never wish each other good luck before hockey games, only skill. I would always much rather be good than be lucky. Here's hoping.

Go Marlies Go.

Bauer Total One/One90 Goal Pads

Bauer has done it again. Revolutionized the goalie pad yet again. Forget customizing your break before you purchase, you always get the freedom to choose. I won't get into the blocker or catcher in this segment since there is so much to the pads these days.

Normally when I refer to bars and hockey players, it's doesn't mean equipment but today is a first. With two bars, stiff and extra stiff, you control the break both above the knee and below it. I've heard that Lundqvist is a fan of using soft bars in practice and stiff bars during games to get a better feel for the pads. With the full coverage of the changing slots there is no worry about the open structure of this pad compromising its' quality. The knee cradle of this pad is also removable and adjustable with a softer and lighter material. 

As shown above are the slots for above and below the knee breaks and the easy adjustability of the entire feel of your pad.

The yellow bars are used for the stiff flex and blue would be the soft flex.

I recommend this line of pads to anyone looking for a softer built pad, without the breaks but with the full front face of a Reebok pad. The rebound control is very much like my One80 pads but with more of a hybrid comfort of a Reflex pad. For those of you that remember the Vapor line of pads that was quickly discontinued it is very much like the Nexus of Bauer's goalie line. A combination of everything and a happy meeting in the middle. 

You can find the retail line of these pads in the One90 but the Total One is on a level of its own. 

Happy Saving.

Elite Hockey Gel Pads

Elite hockey has released 3 different gel pads for those of you with abused feet from skates. They feature and ankle pad, an achilles tendon pad, and a lace bite pad with velcro that attaches to your tongue. I recently picked up the lace bite gel pads to help me break in my Bauer One.9 skates with the stiffest tongue I have ever felt.

My gel pads are shown above. I had to adjust their position a couple times to find the right spot but now they never move. As shown below, the shape works well to disperse the pressure of the lace bite.

I have seen other products for lace bite, including just attaching extra foam to the inside of your tongue but this has been the most successful one so far in my opinion. Each of these gel pads is also reusable and adjustable which is another useful feature.

The ankle and achilles pads are shown above. 

Personally I have no use for the other gel pads but if anyone has tried them, please let me know your feedback!