Another great blog Stewie. And for those who don't remember the difference between the pads we grew up with (or are too young) and today's "armor", here is a stark visual comparison.


The old and the new.
- iScoop

but now explain how the modern shoulder pads on the bottom are more cost effective. doesn't make sense.

Another great blog Stewie. And for those who don't remember the difference between the pads we grew up with (or are too young) and today's "armor", here is a stark visual comparison.


The old and the new.
- iScoop

Yeah, wanting to protect your body is such a dumb thing. Kids these days, so soft.

Yeah, wanting to protect your body is such a dumb thing. Kids these days, so soft.
- MunsterMike

there is no need for hockey pads to be built like that. i agree that soft cap pads are a good bet to help cut down on injuries.

i just take issue with the idea that it costs less for the manufacturers to make them as the do now.

there is no need for hockey pads to be built like that. i agree that soft cap pads are a good bet to help cut down on injuries.

i just take issue with the idea that it costs less for the manufacturers to make them as the do now.
- Fountain-San

It's an extreme example, that's what I have an issue with.

Plenty of players wear those Sher-Wood 5030 style pads, others prefer something with more protection than the equivalent of wet newspaper. If someone took a stroll through an NHL locker room, the style of pads worn are as varied as the role of the player wearing them. 5030's to those Warrior pads, and everything in between.

It's an extreme example, that's what I have an issue with.

Plenty of players wear those Sher-Wood 5030 style pads, others prefer something with more protection than the equivalent of wet newspaper. If someone took a stroll through and NHL locker room, the style of pads worn are as varied as the role of the player wearing them. 5030's to those Warrior pads, and everything in between.
- MunsterMike

not being a know it all but the generation of players that prefer the 5030/wet newspaper pads are on the way out. all the players coming up and the youngish players in the league wear the hard cap body armor.

not being a know it all but the generation of players that prefer the 5030/wet newspaper pads are on the way out. all the players coming up and the youngish players in the league wear the hard cap body armor.
- Fountain-San

I'm not trying to be a know it all either, just have a discussion is all. If I was a new player, I'd want the most protection I could wear while being able to play my role.

I'm not trying to be a know it all either, just have a discussion is all. If I was a new player, I'd want the most protection I could wear while being able to play my role.
- MunsterMike

whatever. know it all.

JK!!!

whatever. know it all.

JK!!!
- Fountain-San

Awwww...

What I'm trying to get at is while it's probably a good idea to switch to softer padding on certain items(ie keep the plastic in the chest, back and shins to protect against pucks in those areas), it's only one symptom of the problem.

A play like the one John Scott made, even with a soft elbow pad, the sheer force put into buddy's jaw from the size and speed of Scott, that still will concuss someone given that it's a hit to the head.

Another great blog Stewie. And for those who don't remember the difference between the pads we grew up with (or are too young) and today's "armor", here is a stark visual comparison.


The old and the new.
- iScoop

those look like hard caps on the old pair

Paul,

what bothers me the most about all the discussions regarding equipment and especially concussions and helmets is that no one, and I mean no one, ever mentions the proper fitting of equipment. Helmets, especially the way they wear them in the NCAA and in the pros are a farce because no one wears them correctly. IN the Pros, they remove padding, alter padding, remove ear guards etc. That changes the integrity of the design, hence the protection, or alleged protection, goes out the window.

In the NCAA, the idiots wear cages that don't fit, hang over, and are known as Bird Cages. Stupidity exemplified!! A cage needs to be snug in order to provide maximum protection, as does a helmet. IN fact, a cage that doesn't fit, is just as likely to injure as to protect a player.

If you sit on the NCAA board as you claim you do, then get on it and change the rules regarding the helmets and cages.

Paul,

what bothers me the most about all the discussions regarding equipment and especially concussions and helmets is that no one, and I mean no one, ever mentions the proper fitting of equipment. Helmets, especially the way they wear them in the NCAA and in the pros are a farce because no one wears them correctly. IN the Pros, they remove padding, alter padding, remove ear guards etc. That changes the integrity of the design, hence the protection, or alleged protection, goes out the window.

In the NCAA, the idiots wear cages that don't fit, hang over, and are known as Bird Cages. Stupidity exemplified!! A cage needs to be snug in order to provide maximum protection, as does a helmet. IN fact, a cage that doesn't fit, is just as likely to injure as to protect a player.

If you sit on the NCAA board as you claim you do, then get on it and change the rules regarding the helmets and cages.
- Old Pappy

The fact is, the board and I can't make players do something that their coach and their trainer allow or ignore. Officials cannot let the player not play for that reason or penalize them. That's it. Who knows if a kid spits out or chews on the mouth piece or take the ear flaps off? Coaches are with their players all week. We get them for maybe two hours.

The fact is, the board and I can't make players do something that their coach and their trainer allow or ignore. Officials cannot let the player not play for that reason or penalize them. That's it. Who knows if a kid spits out or chews on the mouth piece or take the ear flaps off? Coaches are with their players all week. We get them for maybe two hours.
- Paul Stewart

I understand your point of view on this, but someone needs to step up and point this out. The cage piece especially, is purely vanity! And the biggest problem is that young players look up to this and emulate it.

I'm involved in minor hockey, and recently, we had a referee who told a player to fix her helmet, or get off the ice. I was stunned. I also made sure that I went to the referee after the game and congratulated her on her decision. For once, safety won out! I berate my coaches and trainers about proper fit for their players. Hell, I even attend their practices to make sure they are not only wearing their helmets correctly, I even have to chase them down about neck guards. Lax attitudes lead to un-necessary injuries. It is no wonder why players disregard other players, they don't even regard themselves.

The fact is, the board and I can't make players do something that their coach and their trainer allow or ignore. Officials cannot let the player not play for that reason or penalize them. That's it. Who knows if a kid spits out or chews on the mouth piece or take the ear flaps off? Coaches are with their players all week. We get them for maybe two hours.
- Paul Stewart

yes you can. just like changes to goalie equipment or the way the NFL makes players adhere to uniform rules.

trainers and coaches may ignore an illegally curved stick. doesn't mean it can;t get you two minutes.

make rules and enforce them.