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Jim@AgelessHockey.com (Email Me)
Did New Hockey Skate Blades Really Help?
You may be thinking, why do I care about my skate blades?
In the locker room before a DIH game, I asked one of the best players in the league about skate profiling (radius of blade) and sharpening (hollow).
Doug looked at my skate blades and said I needed a new pair. He said they were so worn they probably couldn’t be profiled. Doug knows what he’s talking about: He learned how to profile and sharpen skates from Paul Boyer (Head Equipment Manager of the Detroit Red Wings).
Barry, another excellent player told Doug the newer Bauer mid-level skates don’t have great blades anymore.
Doug and Barry wear Graf skates. They both are using Step Steel blades.
After this conversation, I started researching skate blades. Also called runners or steel.
The following is what I’ve learned talking to other players, hockey store employees and researching online.
Advantages of better blades:
– Made in Canada
– Better Quality
– Hardness/Grade of steel is better
– Different finishes
– Sharpen easier
– Edges/sharpening lasts longer
– Added blade height (Step Steel is the tallest)
– Increased Performance: Tighter turns, harder stops and more bite on the ice
– All the benefits of better blades can increase your Confidence on the ice.
My Bauer Supreme S180 Skates have LS2 blades/runners/steel
Bauer Blades: LS2 (Lower profile/height of blade: $50), LS3 ($60), LS4 (2005: $100), LS5 (2018: $130)
Bauer has a patent on their Tuuk Lightspeed Edge Holder. Step Steel is not allowed to ship their blades for these Bauer holders to the USA.
I got the Tydan blades.
Two choices:
Mirror Finish (what I got): Heavily buffered and polished. Reduces the drag on the ice, so the blade glides more smoothly/effectively.
Black DLC (Diamond Like Coating) – Black finish increases the durability and hardness of the steel. Better Bite on the ice.
NOTE: If you order your own blades, look on your blade holder for the correct size. Mine are 263R and 263L.
Did new blades Help?
I’ve only skated on my new blades 3 times.
1. Before a DIH game
2. In a DIH game: played D
3. In a regular league game: played C
I feel I’m skating better and faster. Maybe it’s all in my head?
Negative: Cost
New blades didn’t turn me into Connor McDavid. However, I do believe I’m skating better.
Site and Videos
Tydan Specialty Blades
https://www.tydanblades.com/
Sport Pro Wholesale
https://sportprowholesale.com/tydan-blades/player-blades/
Bay Area Hockey Repair & Sharpening
https://www.bayareahockeyrepair.com/product-category/tydan-performance-blades/
Hockey Review HQ
http://hockeyreviewhq.com/accessories/tydan-black-steel-and-stainless-steel-skate-blade-review/
Step Steel
http://www.stepskates.com/en/hockey-blades/players
Massive Blade
https://massiveblade.com/
BladeTech Hockey
https://www.bladetechhockey.ca/
Bauer Blades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L48RRT-HVvY (4:34)
Best Ice Hockey Skate Runners – Step Steel, Massive Blade, BladeTech review from Chris at Hockey Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3uWaV9dkfo (13:29)
Beginners Guide to Skate Sharpening – New To Hockey
http://newtohockey.com/beginners-guide-to-skate-sharpening/
Hockey Skate Profiling – Hockey Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHypfDsvrE (6:17)
How Profiling Affects Performance – Coach Jeremy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuL5l9pXphk (11:57)
Bauer Tuuk Lightspeed Edge Holder How to Change Blades – Pro Hockey Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-UnOnKp92I (00:49)
Listener Email
Jerry:
Jim, Played ice hockey back in the 80’s at University of Hartford, continued until my late 30’s in New Jersey with various adult leagues. Gotta get back onto the ice now that the kids are grown and I have the time. Do you know of any 50+ leagues in New Jersey? Any contacts or direction would be greatly appreciated. Jerry
Hi Jerry, I don’t know of any 50+ leagues in New Jersey or anywhere else.
Try the following
Google: 50+ hockey leagues in New Jersey or Adult hockey leagues in New Jersey or Over 50 hockey leagues in New Jersey, etc.
Contact local ice rinks: Ask if they have Over 50 Drop-In/Pickup games or Leagues. This is how I found my local Over 50 Drop-In and Over 60 League.
Contact old teammates: I’m sure some of them are still playing. Even if they are living somewhere else, they may be able to help you.
Facebook and Linkedin may help you find old hockey buddy’s and teammates.
Contact local Hockey Stores: Some of our stores have bulletin boards with flyers from leagues. Also ask the store staff.
Joe:
Hey Jim, That’s true about Defense being mostly thankless.
It seems that the scorers are
getting all the credit even if the D does good work all game… and if we
make a few mistakes that costs us goals then we get all the blame!
I found the best way to deal with that is to build a relationship with the
goalie. It is hard at drop-in hockey, but in the league it’s a lot easier.
I take the time to get to know the goalie, figure out how they like the D
to work, and then play as well as I can to make them happy. This past
season the goalie said to me at one point that I was the best player that
game, and that really made my day. If the rest of the team doesn’t know or
care about the effort D puts in, the goalie certainly does! That’s where I
try to focus.
League starts this Sunday and I chose to skate with a new team for the
Winter season, so it should be fun getting to know another goalie!
Hope your hockey games are fun and injury free and your
forward-to-backward transitions be seamless! Remember: body-on-body and
stick-on-puck, and also make sure you keep a good gap!
Thanks, Joe
Thanks for the emails Jerry and Joe.
Tips
About six weeks ago my right inside ankle near the skate tongue started hurting.
CRS Cross Ankle Gel Discs – Ankle Gel Pads (2 pads = $16)
So far, they work great. My skate sock keeps the pad in place (not real sticky to the skin).
I don’t know if they are too large (2 1/2” diameter) or too thick (3/16”) to wear on the inside of your boot.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PSX6FR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hockey Trivia
It was not until 1959 that a goaltender wore a mask full-time. On November 1, 1959, in a game between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante was struck in the face by a shot from Andy Bathgate. Plante had previously worn his mask in practice, but head coach Toe Blake refused to allow him to wear it in a game, fearing it would inhibit his vision.
After being stitched up, Plante gave Blake an ultimatum, refusing to go back out onto the ice without the mask, to which Blake obliged not wanting to forfeit the game since NHL teams did not have back-up goaltenders at the time.
Plante went on a long unbeaten streak wearing the mask, which stopped when he was asked to remove it for a game. After that particular loss, Plante resumed donning the mask for the remainder of his career. When Plante introduced the mask into the game, many questioned his dedication and bravery; in response, Plante made an analogy to a person skydiving without a parachute. Although Plante faced some laughter, the face-hugging fiberglass goaltender mask soon became the standard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goaltender_mask
Injury Update
Subbed in a regular league game. Played D
I was in my own zone along the board fighting for the puck. Another opponent tried to knock the puck away, but hit my skate blade. I went down hard on my right side (leg socket). The player got a 2-minute penalty.
Good News: W3-2 (team’s first win)
Thanks for listening!
I love hearing your stories. Please email me at Jim@AgelessHockey.com
I value your time and appreciate all of you that have subscribed to my podcast.
Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE