What are the key features to look for in a hockey goalie blocker. How do different materials impact blocker performance. Which brands make the highest quality goalie blockers. What size blocker is right for different goalie builds.
Understanding the Importance of a Quality Goalie Blocker
A goalie blocker is an essential piece of equipment for any ice hockey goaltender. This protective gear serves multiple critical functions during gameplay:
- Deflecting and blocking shots
- Controlling rebounds
- Passing and playing the puck
- Protecting the goalie’s arm and hand
Given its importance, selecting the right blocker can significantly impact a goalie’s performance and safety on the ice. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best blocker for your needs and playing style?
Key Features to Consider When Selecting a Goalie Blocker
When evaluating hockey goalie blockers, there are several crucial factors to keep in mind:
Material Construction
The materials used in a blocker’s construction affect its durability, weight, and overall performance. Common materials include:
- Synthetic leather
- Nylon
- Foam padding
- Plastic or carbon fiber board
High-end blockers often utilize advanced synthetic materials for enhanced durability and lighter weight.
Blocking Board Design
The shape and size of the blocking board impact shot deflection and rebound control. Features to consider include:
- Board size and shape
- Angle of the board face
- Presence of a binding edge
Some blockers offer customizable board angles to suit individual preferences.
Palm and Finger Protection
Adequate protection for the hand is crucial. Look for:
- Reinforced palm area
- Segmented finger protection
- Shock-absorbing materials
The best blockers balance protection with flexibility for optimal puck handling.
Wrist Strap and Cuff Design
A secure fit is essential for control and protection. Consider:
- Adjustable wrist straps
- Cuff length and flexibility
- Thumb loop design
Some goalies prefer a looser fit for increased mobility, while others opt for a snug fit for better control.
Top Brands in Hockey Goalie Blockers
Several manufacturers are known for producing high-quality goalie blockers. Some of the most respected brands include:
- CCM
- Bauer
- Warrior
- Brian’s
- Vaughn
Each brand offers multiple lines of blockers catering to different skill levels and preferences. It’s worth exploring options from various manufacturers to find the best fit for your needs.
Sizing and Fit: Finding the Right Blocker for Your Hand
Proper sizing is crucial for optimal performance and protection. How do you determine the right size blocker for your hand?
Measuring for Blocker Size
To find your correct blocker size:
- Measure from the tip of your middle finger to the bottom of your palm
- Add 1-2 inches to this measurement
- Compare this total to manufacturer sizing charts
Remember that sizing can vary slightly between brands, so always consult specific manufacturer guidelines.
Considerations for Different Goalie Builds
Your physical size and playing style may influence your blocker choice:
- Larger goalies may prefer bigger blockers for increased coverage
- Smaller or more agile goalies might opt for a more compact design
- Consider how the blocker size complements your other equipment
Ultimately, the best size balances protection, control, and comfort for your individual needs.
Material Innovations in Modern Goalie Blockers
Advancements in materials science have led to significant improvements in goalie blocker design and performance. What are some of the cutting-edge materials used in today’s top blockers?
Lightweight Synthetic Leathers
Modern synthetic leathers offer excellent durability and water resistance while keeping weight to a minimum. These materials often feature:
- Enhanced abrasion resistance
- Quick-drying properties
- Improved flexibility compared to traditional leather
Advanced Foams
High-tech foam materials provide superior protection and shock absorption:
- Dual-density foams for targeted protection
- Memory foam for custom fit and comfort
- Impact-absorbing gels for added protection
Composite Materials
Carbon fiber and other composite materials are increasingly used in blocker construction:
- Lightweight yet incredibly strong
- Can be molded into precise shapes for optimal performance
- Often used in high-end pro-level blockers
These advanced materials contribute to blockers that are lighter, more protective, and more responsive than ever before.
Maintenance and Care for Your Goalie Blocker
Proper care and maintenance can significantly extend the life of your goalie blocker and maintain its performance. What are some essential care tips for hockey goalie blockers?
Cleaning and Drying
Regular cleaning helps prevent odor and material breakdown:
- Wipe down the blocker with a damp cloth after each use
- Use mild soap for deeper cleaning as needed
- Always air dry thoroughly before storage
Storage
Proper storage prevents unnecessary wear and deformation:
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Avoid compressing the blocker during storage
- Use a breathable equipment bag for transport
Inspection and Repair
Regular checks can catch potential issues early:
- Inspect straps, stitching, and padding regularly
- Address any loose threads or minor damage promptly
- Consider professional repair for significant wear or damage
With proper care, a high-quality goalie blocker can last for several seasons of regular play.
Customization Options for Goalie Blockers
Many manufacturers offer customization options for their goalie blockers. What kind of personalization choices are available for goalies looking to create a unique piece of equipment?
Visual Customization
Aesthetic options allow goalies to express their personal style:
- Custom color schemes
- Personalized graphics or logos
- Name or number embroidery
Performance Customization
Some brands offer functional customization to tailor the blocker to a goalie’s preferences:
- Adjustable board angles
- Custom palm materials or padding
- Personalized cuff length or flexibility
Pro-Style Customization
High-end options may include pro-level customization:
- Fully custom sizing and proportions
- Choice of specific materials for each component
- Unique design features not available in stock models
While customization can add to the cost, it allows goalies to create a blocker perfectly suited to their needs and style.
Comparing Junior and Senior Goalie Blockers
As young goalies grow and develop their skills, they may transition from junior to senior equipment. What are the key differences between junior and senior goalie blockers?
Size and Proportions
Junior blockers are designed for smaller hands and arms:
- Smaller overall dimensions
- Proportionally sized blocking board
- Shorter cuff length
Weight and Materials
Junior blockers often prioritize lighter weight for younger players:
- Lighter-weight foam and board materials
- Simpler construction techniques
- Less rigid overall structure
Protection Level
Senior blockers typically offer more robust protection:
- Denser foams and padding
- Reinforced impact zones
- More advanced shock-absorbing materials
Price and Durability
Senior blockers are generally more expensive but built to last:
- Higher-quality materials
- More durable construction
- Designed for higher shot velocities
When transitioning from junior to senior equipment, it’s important to consider the goalie’s size, skill level, and the level of play they’ll be facing.
Hockey Goalie Gloves and Blockers| CCM Hockey
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1.
Measure from big toe to the back of the heel.
2.
In order to choose the right fit, use the image below that best describes the width of your foot.
TAPERED FIT
REGULAR FIT
WIDE FIT
| CCM HOCKEY SKATE SIZE | SHOE SIZE (MEN) | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (IN) | |
| YOUTH | 6 | 7 | 5.7 |
| 7 | 8 | 5.9 | |
| 8 | 9 | 6. 3 | |
| 9 | 10 | 6.6 | |
| 9.5 | 10.5 | 6.8 | |
| 10 | 11 | 7 | |
| 10.5 | 11.5 | 7.1 | |
| 11 | 12 | 7.3 | |
| 11.5 | 12.5 | 7.5 | |
| 12 | 13 | 7.6 | |
| 12.5 | 13.5 | 7.8 | |
| 13 | 1 | 7.9 | |
| 13.5 | 1.5 | 8.1 | |
| JUNIOR | 1 | 2 | 8.2 |
| 1.5 | 2.5 | 8.4 | |
| 2 | 3 | 8.5 | |
| 2.5 | 3.5 | 8.7 | |
| 3 | 4 | 8.8 | |
| 3.5 | 4.5 | 9 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 4 | 5 | 9.2 |
| 4.5 | 5.5 | 9.4 | |
| 5 | 6 | 9.5 | |
| 5.5 | 8 | 9.7 | |
| 6 | 7. 5 | 9.8 | |
| 6.5 | 8 | 10 | |
| SENIOR | 7 | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 10.3 | |
| 8 | 9.5 | 10.5 | |
| 8.5 | 10 | 10.7 | |
| 9 | 10.5 | 10.9 | |
| 9.5 | 11 | 11 | |
| 10 | 11.5 | 11.2 | |
| 10.5 | 12 | 11.3 | |
| 11 | 12.5 | 11.5 | |
| 11.5 | 12.5 | 11.7 | |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11.8 | |
| 13 | 14.5 | 12.2 |
| CCM HOCKEY SKATE SIZE | SHOE SIZE (MEN) | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (CM) | |
| YOUTH | 6 | 7 | 14.5 |
| 7 | 8 | 15. 2 | |
| 8 | 9 | 16.2 | |
| 9 | 10 | 17 | |
| 9.5 | 10.5 | 17.4 | |
| 10 | 11 | 17.8 | |
| 10.5 | 11.5 | 18.2 | |
| 11 | 12 | 18.7 | |
| 11.5 | 12.5 | 19.1 | |
| 12 | 13 | 19.5 | |
| 12.5 | 13.5 | 19.9 | |
| 13 | 1 | 20.3 | |
| 13.5 | 1.5 | 20.6 | |
| JUNIOR | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| 1.5 | 2.5 | 21.4 | |
| 2 | 3 | 21.8 | |
| 2.5 | 3.5 | 22.2 | |
| 3 | 4 | 22.6 | |
| 3.5 | 4.5 | 23.1 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 4 | 5 | 23.5 |
| 4.5 | 5.5 | 23.9 | |
| 5 | 6 | 24. 3 | |
| 5.5 | 8 | 25.5 | |
| 6 | 7.5 | 25.1 | |
| 6.5 | 8 | 25.5 | |
| SENIOR | 7 | 8.5 | 26 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 26.4 | |
| 8 | 9.5 | 26.8 | |
| 8.5 | 10 | 27.2 | |
| 9 | 10.5 | 27.7 | |
| 9.5 | 11 | 28.1 | |
| 10 | 11.5 | 28.5 | |
| 10.5 | 12 | 28.9 | |
| 11 | 12.5 | 29.4 | |
| 11.5 | 12.5 | 29.8 | |
| 12 | 13.5 | 30.2 | |
| 13 | 14.5 | 31 |
1.
Measure from big toe to the back of the heel.
2.
In order to choose the right fit, use the image below that best describes the width of your foot.
TAPERED FIT
REGULAR FIT
WIDE FIT
| CCM HOCKEY EURO SKATE SIZE | EURO SHOE SIZE | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (IN) | |
| YOUTH | 24 | 24 | 5. 7 |
| 24.5 | 25 | 5.9 | |
| 25 | 26 | 6.3 | |
| 26 | 27 | 6.6 | |
| 27 | 27.5 | 6.8 | |
| 28 | 28 | 7 | |
| 28.5 | 29 | 7.1 | |
| 29 | 29.5 | 7.3 | |
| 29.5 | 30 | 7.5 | |
| 30 | 31 | 7.6 | |
| 30.5 | 31.5 | 7.8 | |
| 31 | 32 | 7.9 | |
| 32 | 33 | 8.1 | |
| JUNIOR | 32.5 | 33.5 | 8.2 |
| 33 | 34 | 8.4 | |
| 34 | 35 | 8.5 | |
| 34.5 | 35.5 | 8.7 | |
| 35 | 36 | 8.8 | |
| 36 | 36.5 | 9 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 37 | 37.5 | 9.2 |
| 38 | 38 | 9. 4 | |
| 39 | 38.5 | 9.5 | |
| 39.5 | 39 | 9.7 | |
| 40 | 40.5 | 9.8 | |
| 40.5 | 41 | 10 | |
| SENIOR | 41 | 42 | 10.2 |
| 41.5 | 42.5 | 10.3 | |
| 42 | 43 | 10.5 | |
| 42.5 | 44 | 10.7 | |
| 43 | 44.5 | 10.9 | |
| 44 | 45 | 11 | |
| 45 | 45.5 | 11.2 | |
| 45.5 | 46 | 11.3 | |
| 46 | 47 | 11.5 | |
| 46.5 | 47.5 | 11.7 | |
| 47 | 48 | 11.8 | |
| 49 | 50 | 12.2 |
| CCM HOCKEY EURO SKATE SIZE | EURO SHOE SIZE | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (CM) | |
| YOUTH | 24 | 24 | 14. 5 |
| 24.5 | 25 | 15.2 | |
| 25 | 26 | 16.2 | |
| 26 | 27 | 17 | |
| 27 | 27.5 | 17.4 | |
| 28 | 28 | 17.8 | |
| 28.5 | 29 | 18.2 | |
| 29 | 29.5 | 18.7 | |
| 29.5 | 30 | 19.1 | |
| 30 | 31 | 19.5 | |
| 30.5 | 31.5 | 19.9 | |
| 31 | 32 | 20.3 | |
| 32 | 33 | 20.6 | |
| JUNIOR | 32.5 | 33.5 | 21 |
| 33 | 34 | 21.4 | |
| 34 | 35 | 21.8 | |
| 34.5 | 35.5 | 22.2 | |
| 35 | 36 | 22.6 | |
| 36 | 36.5 | 23.1 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 37 | 37.5 | 23.5 |
| 38 | 38 | 23. 9 | |
| 39 | 38.5 | 24.3 | |
| 39.5 | 39 | 25.5 | |
| 40 | 40.5 | 25.1 | |
| 40.5 | 41 | 25.5 | |
| SENIOR | 41 | 42 | 26 |
| 41.5 | 42.5 | 26.4 | |
| 42 | 43 | 26.8 | |
| 42.5 | 44 | 27.2 | |
| 43 | 44.5 | 27.7 | |
| 44 | 45 | 28.1 | |
| 45 | 45.5 | 28.5 | |
| 45.5 | 46 | 28.9 | |
| 46 | 47 | 29.4 | |
| 46.5 | 47.5 | 29.8 | |
| 47 | 48 | 30.2 | |
| 49 | 50 | 31 |
1.
Measure from big toe to the back of the heel.
2.
In order to choose the right fit, use the image below that best describes the width of your foot.
TAPERED FIT
REGULAR FIT
WIDE FIT
| CCM HOCKEY EURO SKATE SIZE | UK SHOE SIZE | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (IN) | |
| YOUTH | 24 | 6. 5 | 5.7 |
| 24.5 | 7.5 | 5.9 | |
| 25 | 8.5 | 6.3 | |
| 26 | 9.5 | 6.6 | |
| 27 | 10 | 6.8 | |
| 28 | 10.5 | 7 | |
| 28.5 | 11 | 7.1 | |
| 29 | 11.5 | 7.3 | |
| 29.5 | 12 | 7.5 | |
| 30 | 12.5 | 7.6 | |
| 30.5 | 13 | 7.8 | |
| 31 | 13.5 | 7.9 | |
| 32 | 1 | 8.1 | |
| JUNIOR | 32.5 | 1.5 | 8.2 |
| 33 | 2 | 8.4 | |
| 34 | 2.5 | 8.5 | |
| 34.5 | 3 | 8.7 | |
| 35 | 3.5 | 8.8 | |
| 36 | 4 | 9 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 37 | 4.5 | 9.2 |
| 38 | 5 | 9. 4 | |
| 39 | 5.5 | 9.5 | |
| 39.5 | 6 | 9.7 | |
| 40 | 7 | 9.8 | |
| 40.5 | 7.5 | 10 | |
| SENIOR | 41 | 8 | 10.2 |
| 41.5 | 8.5 | 10.3 | |
| 42 | 9 | 10.5 | |
| 42.5 | 9.5 | 10.7 | |
| 43 | 10 | 10.9 | |
| 44 | 10.5 | 11 | |
| 45 | 11 | 11.2 | |
| 45.5 | 11.5 | 11.3 | |
| 46 | 12 | 11.5 | |
| 46.5 | 12.5 | 11.7 | |
| 47 | 13 | 11.8 | |
| 49 | 14 | 12.2 |
| CCM HOCKEY EURO SKATE SIZE | UK SHOE SIZE | ACTUAL FOOT LENGTH (CM) | |
| YOUTH | 24 | 6. 5 | 14.5 |
| 24.5 | 7.5 | 15.2 | |
| 25 | 8.5 | 16.2 | |
| 26 | 9.5 | 17 | |
| 27 | 10 | 17.4 | |
| 28 | 10.5 | 17.8 | |
| 28.5 | 11 | 18.2 | |
| 29 | 11.5 | 18.7 | |
| 29.5 | 12 | 19.1 | |
| 30 | 12.5 | 19.5 | |
| 30.5 | 13 | 19.9 | |
| 31 | 13.5 | 20.3 | |
| 32 | 1 | 20.6 | |
| JUNIOR | 32.5 | 1.5 | 21 |
| 33 | 2 | 21.4 | |
| 34 | 2.5 | 21.8 | |
| 34.5 | 3 | 22.2 | |
| 35 | 3.5 | 22.6 | |
| 36 | 4 | 23.1 | |
| INTERMEDIATE | 37 | 4.5 | 23.5 |
| 38 | 5 | 23. 9 | |
| 39 | 5.5 | 24.3 | |
| 39.5 | 6 | 25.5 | |
| 40 | 7 | 25.1 | |
| 40.5 | 7.5 | 25.5 | |
| SENIOR | 41 | 8 | 26 |
| 41.5 | 8.5 | 26.4 | |
| 42 | 9 | 26.8 | |
| 42.5 | 9.5 | 27.2 | |
| 43 | 10 | 27.7 | |
| 44 | 10.5 | 28.1 | |
| 45 | 11 | 28.5 | |
| 45.5 | 11.5 | 28.9 | |
| 46 | 12 | 29.4 | |
| 46.5 | 12.5 | 29.8 | |
| 47 | 13 | 30.2 | |
| 49 | 14 | 31 |
Skate blades
| Blade Size | Standard Skate Size |
| 215 | 1 – 1.5 |
| 221 | 2 – 2. 5 |
| 230 | 3 – 3.5 |
| 238 | 4 – 4.5 |
| 247 | 5 – 5.5 |
| 255 | 6 – 6.5 |
| 263 | 7 – 7.5 |
| 271 | 8 – 8.5 |
| 280 | 9 – 9.5 |
| 287 | 10 – 10.5 |
| 295 | 11 – 11.5 |
| 304 | 12 – 12.5 |
| 312 | 13 – 13.5 |
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Best Goalie Blockers for Hockey [January 2023]
The hockey goalie blocker might be one of the most underrated pieces of equipment that a goalie will wear. A high percentage of shots will bounce off the blocker and you don’t want something that doesn’t give you the biggest advantage as possible. And what do I mean by that? Well for example, comfort. Hockey gear when it’s comfortable is far easier to play in compared to gear that isn’t.
Another example and critical piece of performance is rebound control. There are blockers, the Bauer UltraSonic and the Optik 2 Pro that pucks simply explode off of into the corner.
The blocker, although “just a blocker” is one piece of gear we’ll often see NHL goalies wear outside of their brand.
Many times, we see professional goalies who wear a brand like CCM wearing a Bauer blocker, or vice versa. This is because the fit of most blockers is relatively the same.
Lastly, before we jump into this deep dive of the best goalie blockers for 2023 would be durability. You don’t want a blocker that is going to rip and tear within the first three months of using it. Of course, Bauer has taken some flak for building a product that some would deem as “not a long term product” but I think it’s safe to say they’ve addressed and defeated those concerns.
Oh, and if you’re looking for more affordable blockers, check out the bottom of this guide.
These are the best goalie blockers for 2023
- True 20.2 (Best Overall)
- Bauer Supreme Mach (Best Rebound Control)
- Brian’s Optik 3 Pro (Best Durability)
- Vaughan Ventus SLR3 Pro (Best Value)
Best Goalie Blockers for Hockey Goalies This Year
In all honesty, you could probably pick any blocker out of this list and be perfectly fine.
But, since we’re extra and we’re goalies, of course, we’re going to take a deep dive into the best blockers for the money and performance.
Now, before we jump, I wanted to address this question (for those who want the TLDR version).
What really is the best goalie blocker this year?
There isn’t one. There are three. First, the True 20.2. Second, Brian’s Optik 3, and finally, the Bauer Supreme Mach. Those are all tied for the top spot on our list. If you’re looking for something that’s going to give you the best performance and the cheapest price, that’s the Vaughan Ventus SLR3 Pr.
True 20.2 (Best Overall)
Best Overall
True 20.2 Blocker
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Goalie Monkey Price
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As far as high-end goalie equipment goes, True is consistently near the top. So it should come as no surprise that the True 20.
2 is the highest-ranked goalie blocker for 2023.
Now as goalies ourselves, we appreciate a set of gear that is going to withstand the test of time. That’s what you are paying for in this blocker. No, you’re not going to get a bargain of a deal here, but it’s going to last you a long time and have a higher resell value down the road than some of its competitors.
This is a lightweight blocker. The board is a typical high-density foam board (this is essentially every blocker), but not all blockers have the same result. What makes it special is that the pucks really pop off of it, giving you the best chance to keep rebounds out of harm’s way.
It features a Suregrip palm, which is designed to reduce the amount of slip while holding your stick. And like many other goalie blockers on the market, it features additional protection on the index finger and around the thumb. The protection as a whole is good.
Lastly, the wrist mobility on this blocker is a perk. It’s oddly annoying playing in the net with a blocker that doesn’t have a lot of mobility in the wrist.
I’ve been there, and it wasn’t fun. This is why to me I think having an adjustable half-piece cuff is an enticing benefit.
Again, you might feel like you’re going to have to break the bank to get this blocker, but it’s worth it. There are bad and good and then there are elite blockers.
Bauer Supreme Mach (Best Rebound Control)
Best Rebound Control
Bauer Supreme Mach Blocker
As far as performance is concerned, the Bauer Supreme Mach blocker leads the pack.
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It wouldn’t be a complete list of the best-ranked hockey goalie blockers for 2023 if we did not include the Bauer Supreme Mach blocker. While Bauer typically hasn’t had the best reputation for durability over the years, they make up for it in exceptional performance across the board.
The Supreme Mach blocker is a lightweight, high-performance waffle. It’s not your typical, safe, and sturdy option, no, it’s going to put pucks in the corner in a blink of an eye. It’s optimized for pure rebound control and net coverage.
The finger protection is adjustable and of course, it also features additional protection around the index finger to protect from taking a puck straight off the finger.
The benefit of range of motion is a big aspect of this blocker. I used Bauer blockers for many years and I never got over how well I could move my hand and wrist in those. Of course, that goes back to the concept of optimizing for performance.
Bauer has been getting better at creating longer-lasting and more durable equipment. Particularly with the blocker, goalies haven’t been having as many breakdowns with them, making this is a safer bet long term. Of course if you want a blocker that will last you a decade, Brian’s is probably the way to go. But if you want clean rebound control and a high performing goalie blocker, the Bauer Supreme Mach is for you.
Brian’s Optik 3 Pro (Best Durability)
Best Durability
Brian’s Optik 3 Pro Blocker
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The latest and greatest release from Brian’s is the Optik 3 Pro blocker. Brian’s has been an underrated goalie brand for the longest time, but they design and build high quality and durable pieces of equipment. And that goes for the Optik 3 blocker.
It features a beveled board that is designed to help keep rebounds off the waffle down and out, rather than getting a puck that bounces off the blocker and directly up into the air. If you’ve played goalie for some time, you’ve probably had that happen to you.
What’s interesting about Brian’s gear is that it features a dial to adjust the tightness of your equipment. That’s what you will find in this blocker.
Is this a game-changer for me? No, but if you are a goalie that appreciates a tighter wrist on your blocker, this is a neat benefit.
The biggest benefit that you get when you go with a goalie blocker like the Optik 3, is that you know it’s going to last a long time. Whether you’re tearing it up in high school or playing bear league puck, this is the type of blocker that is going to get the job done for a long time.
Vaughan Ventus SLR3 Pro (Best Value)
Best Value
Purehockey
Enter the best value blocker of 2023, the Vaughan Ventus SLR3.
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The best value goalie blocker of the year is the Vaughan Ventus SLR3 Pro. I’ve been putting a lot of emphasis on durability, which is what Vaughan is known for. And possibly, maybe to a fault. Look don’t get me wrong, I’m all on the value wagon train.
I love a good deal when I can find one, but Vaughan has had a reputation for making sturdy goalie gear without putting a ton of emphasis on innovating.
If you want a blocker that is going to absorb the puck shock, protect your hands and last a lifetime, here you go. While this blocker does have features like a hydrophobic overlay on the palm to increase grip, and a big board, it’s not going to blow you off the rink with its features.
But that’s why you don’t have to pay True 20.2 prices to get your hands on it. There are tradeoffs when it comes to playing goalie, and each brand puts a different emphasis on different features. In the case of the Ventus SLR3, it’s a great value-driven blocker, which is why it made the top blockers list.
Related: Best Goalie Skates
CCM Axis 2 Pro
CCM Axis 2 Pro Blocker
A blocker fit for goalies that appreciate comfortable equipment.
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com.
The next best goalie blocker for 2023 is the CCM Axis 2 Pro. This is a blocker that features a center palm designed to give you the best balance on your wrist. It’s also lightweight and quite comfortable.
While it doesn’t have the same rebound control as the Bauer Mach, it still has the ability to put rebounds well out of the crease and away from the net. That of course requires you as the goalie to position the blocker in such a way that will put the puck further away. But this blocker will certainly give the puck a boost.
As far as hand and wrist protection goes, the Axis 2 Pro is right up there with the best of them. Not much else to say here.
CCM has continued to build and develop its brand after its parting with Lefevre, and it shows. The Axis 2 Pro is a solid goalie blocker and will get the job done.
Warrior G6 Pro+
Warrior Ritual G6 Pro+ Blocker
A high-performing blocker that lets you replace the palm quickly and cost effectively.
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While Warrior hasn’t been able to quite make a splash in the goalie industry at a professional level, they continue to make high-quality equipment. The Warrior Ritual G6 Pro+ is the latest and top-of-the-line model Warrior has released.
It features CoverEDGE+ technology which is engineered to give you the maximum amount of coverage on your blocker side. The board is bent at a 20 degree angle, which increases rebound speed of the puck. The idea is to increase the “pop” of the puck when it comes off the waffle.
If you’ve tried a set of Warrior goalie pads on, you’d likely be surprised at how light they weigh. The same is true with this blocker.
Lastly, and probably the most convincing reason to get the blocker is the removable palm. Instead of having to buy a new blocker every so often, you can just buy a new palm and replace the old one.
This can also be beneficial if you want to rotate between palms quickly.
Bauer Ultra Sonic
New for 2020, Bauer has released the Ultra Sonic lineup. The Ultra Sonic blocker is very lightweight and comfortable. One thing we noticed right away was it’s ability to push pucks in to the corner with a lot of speed.
That is nothing new in Bauer blockers though. Or Bauer pads for that matter.
The internal Curv Composite board sends pucks flying. I’m not sure what specific material is used to create the CurvComposite, but it works wonders.
Puck shock is also almost non existent with this blocker. Most blockers in 2020 have little hand shock though.
The only problem with Bauer equipment in the past has always been durability. To combat this, Bauer has reinforced the CorTech skin for longer lasting gear.
Which I’ve personally used the 2S Pro and 2X Pro gear over the last two years. The 2S gear got cut up and broke down fairly quick while the 2X gear is still working just fine.
So I have good reason to believe that the Ultrasonic lineup is going to be just as good if not better than the 2X lineup.
Overall I believe that if you have the funds to get the new Ultrasonic lineup, it’s worth it.
CCM Extreme Flex 4 Pro
CCM is next up on this list and we’re talking about the Extreme Flex 4 Pro blocker. CCM created this blocker with a larger face for more area coverage. It’s a balanced fit in the hand so it feels natural to hold.
The internal part on the inside is made of a thick HD board that sends pucks bouncing off. Comparing this to a Bauer blocker however, it’s not even close.
CCM focused a lot on the finger protection of this blocker too. They put StraightFinger protection on the pointer finger to get maximum protection of the index by covering it with D30 technology. D30 is a material made of polyurethane material designed to absorb energy and pucks better.
The palm of it is CCM’s Grey Nash palm, it’s a comfortable material and has grip in it as well so one’s stick doesn’t go flying away.
CCM is a super popular brand for goalies, and the Eflex 4 Pro blocker is very well made. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Brian’s Optik 2 Pro
The Brian’s Optik 2 Pro goalie blocker is one of the best goalie blockers you can get right now. It’s a step up from the original Optik blocker which was very popular when it was released.
This one has a thin beveled face to keep the overall weight of the blocker down. On the same token however, the board is bigger in surface area. Making it easier to make important saves.
This blocker has the SBA no slip palm so when you start sweating in it, the blocker won’t start sliding around in your hand. The palm is placed slightly above the center allowing for low blocker saves to be easier to reach. The BOA system (wrist strap adjuster) is on this blocker too.
Finally, this blocker is very comfortable. It’s centered and has a good feel in the hand. It may come as a surprise to many that Brian’s is at the top of this list, but this blocker is worth it.
CCM Axis Pro
The CCM Axis Pro blocker is CCM’s newest and most elite blocker they’ve created. It’s comfortable, durable and has a lot of pop to it. They’ve also implemented better protection in the fingers and the palm is centered on the blocker pad.
But, the biggest feature of this blocker goes back to rebound control. The board is now stiffer and heat constructed to ensure rebounds are sent far out. Overall, this is a quality blocker.
Lefevre L 20.1
The Lefevre L20.1 goalie blocker is one of the newest blocker models on the market, recently released after Lefevre’s breakup with CCM.
A couple of things that make this blocker one of the best is that it’s high quality and sleek. If you’ve worn any of the CCM gear over the past few years you know how Lefevre makes their gear.
It’s high quality stuff.
It’s also not cheap. But you get what you pay for in hockey equipment. Especially goalie equipment.
However, if you are on the verge of buying an elite level goalie blocker or a new set of pads, go with the leg pads.
I personally believe that blockers make a difference on the ice, but not the difference a high quality pair of pads will make. (We have an article here on the best goalie pads if you need some direction).
What you get the most in the Lefevre L20.1 goalie blocker is a comfortable fit and high quality craftsmanship. A lot of pros have made the switch from CCM to Lefevre over these August playoffs and pros don’t switch gear just for the fun of it.
That being said, I believe that this blocker is one of the best options for goalies in 2023.
Vaughn V9 Pro Carbon
Next up on the list is Vauhn’s newest lineup, the Velocity V9 Pro Carbon blocker. It features a thin foam board internally with reinforced carbon on the top of it. The V9 Pro has a deep bend in the top of the board to send rebounds flying.
One of the reasons this blocker is so high up on the list is it’s rebound control. With the reinforced carbon, pucks are sent flying.
The palm of the V9 Pro Carbon is also comfortable.
It’s a new and upgraded palm from previous Vaughn blockers. Not only that, the hand protection on this blocker is very protective. It features front finger protection and a carbon mold protecting the thumb.
Finally, the Vaughn V9 Pro Carbon blocker is very mobile. It has a floating cuff design that ensures high range of movement in the wrist. You won’t have any concerns with mobility in this blocker.
Overall this blocker is one of the best goalie blockers you can get for 2020.
Warrior Ritual G5 Pro
Warrior, one of my favorite goalie brands. The G5 Pro blocker is one of the best blockers that you can get. One of it’s biggest features is the ability to change the palm on it very quickly. It takes a matter of seconds before your palm can be dry and clean.
Not only that, but this extends the life of your blocker significantly. Usually the first piece on the blocker to go, is the palm. Now you can get a new palm for peanuts compared to a whole new blocker.
Related: Best Goalie Chest Protectors
Warrior GT2 Pro
Warrior is one of my favorite goalie brands for many reasons. One, they’re always innovating the game.
The GT2 Pro blocker is made with no bindings and a removable palm. I personally am a huge fan of the removable palm. You can keep switching back and forth from a replacement palm to the original on a short term basis, to keep it fresh.
Otherwise if you plan on using this blocker for several years, well you can just pop a new palm in place of the old one, and bump out a couple more on the same waffle board.
Not only that but the position of the palm can be moved around depending on the goalie’s preference. Warrior made the board with HyperComp material, which is designed to be lightweight but strong. It has a nice pop to it, sending rebounds well into the corner.
The biggest reason that this blocker is so high up on my list of “Best Goalie Blockers” is because of the removable palm.
This ensures a very long lifetime in the blocker because usually the first area on the blocker to go is the palm.
Brian’s G-Netik IV
The Brian’s G-Netik IV blocker is a solid blocker that was released last year. Like literally every blocker on this list (almost), it uses HD foam as a board on the inside. It’s beveled in the front for a nice seal on the ice while in the RVH with the paddle down.
The palm is made from Digitech and it’s placed in the center of the board. The palm also is designed so that when one starts to sweat, the blocker doesn’t start sliding around causing problems.
In the wrist area to adjust the strap, Brian’s has BOA technology so with a twist of a dial the wrist strap will change its tension. Overall Brian’s has always made quality, durable gear and they did it again with this one.
Related: Best Goalie Helmets For Protection
Vaughn Ventus SLR2 Pro Carbon
The Vaughn Ventus SLR2 Pro Carbon blocker is one of the lightest on the market today.
The design of the board is very flat until the top. There is a definite change of angle to it that helps with rebound control and getting pucks to the corner. The blocker has added protection on the bottom called Quickslide for situations when playing the paddle on the ice during the RVH.
The palm is placed slightly higher than center for a balanced feel and it’s made of what Vaughn is calling VX suede. It has multiple layers of suregrip for a better hold on the stick and a longer lasting palm. The fingers are protected by HD foam and carbon designed so pucks will not slide up the stick into the finger. The Ventus SLR2 Pro blocker deserves a spot with some of the best, even if it’s down on the bottom.
Best Budget Blockers
I realize that sometimes, spending $400 on a blocker can be a little expensive. This is a list of the best blockers that you can get, for budget prices. These are models that might not be the newest or greatest blockers that you can get, but they are still quality blockers.
Bauer 2S Pro
The Bauer 2S Pro blocker was released about two years ago. Although this isn’t the newest model on the market, it still is one of the best. The HD foam and CurvComposite on the inside of the blocker created what we like to call awesome rebound control.
I’ve used some high end blockers, and the 2S Pro blocker sent pucks flying the furthest with the least shock by quite a bit. Not only that but the Nash Pro palm on the blocker is very well made and comfortable. It also holds up very nicely. The wrist of this blocker has Bauer’s Free Flex design that allows for awesome mobility in the area. Overall I’m a fan of the Bauer 2S Pro blocker.
Is a Goalie Blocker Really “Just a Blocker?”
At the end of the day, to some goalies, a blocker will remain “just a blocker”. I do think that it is the most boring piece of gear a goalie can wear, but at the same time, goalie blockers are not all created equal. Speaking from a distance, however, I do think that all of the blockers on this list are premium quality and will get the job done, until next time thank you for reading.
Philadelphia Flyers goalkeepers: commemorative masks
Since Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante became the first NHL goaltender to permanently wear a face mask in 1959, the use of masks has gone from a curiosity to a necessity. The masks themselves have evolved from strict rules to a utilitarian piece of equipment for the colorful expression of the goaltender’s personality. Team colors or logos were added first. Later there were thoughtful designs, thematic motifs and a full palette of colors. Sometimes at the goalkeeper’s own request, but often at the suggestion of professional mask designers.
When the Flyers entered the NHL in 1967, there were still a few unmasked goaltenders – the last unmasked goaltender was Andy Brown of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Every goaltender in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers franchise has worn some type of mask. By the end of the 2019-20 season, 60 goaltenders had played at least one game for the Flyers. This number does not include goaltenders who were on the bench but did not appear in any regular season games.
This material is not intended to be an exhaustive history of all goalie masks in Flyers history, or a list of only the most visually appealing. Rather, it is a chronological highlighting of their evolution, protective function and symbolic meaning, as well as their appearance. Goalkeepers whose masks are not mentioned in this article include: Phil Mayer, Brian Boucher, Roman Cechmanek, Jeff Hackett, Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bernie Parrent
Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent is best known for the mask he wore during his second tenure with Philadelphia (from 1973-74 to 1978-79): a white mask with the Airmen logos on the forehead, left and right temples. The back of the mask had a protective shell (smaller than today) between the straps to protect the goalkeeper from all sorts of impacts.
It was in this now iconic mask style that Bernie Parrent won two consecutive Vezina Trophies, Conn Smythe Trophies and the Stanley Cup in 1973-74 and 1974-75.
Less well known are the more primitive and less protective masks that the goalkeeper wore during his first tenure with the Pilots (since 1967-68 until the middle of the 1970-71 season).
During his first season, Bernie wore a simplified fiberglass mask that fitted snugly over the goaltender’s face with straps attached to the sides and top of the head, with no back protection.
Doug Favell
The other half of Philadelphia’s original goaltending duo has worn a wide variety of masks and mask designs throughout their careers. In the early years of playing with the Flyers, Doug Favell, like Parrent, used relatively primitive fiberglass masks. However, on Halloween 19At 71, the hilarious Favell carved a niche in NHL history when he unveiled a full orange spray-painted mask. Reflecting both the colors of the “Pilots” and Halloween itself. Favell’s orange look was the first painted mask in league history.
During Favell’s last years with the Philadelphia Flames (from 1967-68 to 1972-73), the goaltender wore a white mask with five large triangular orange panels alternating with neutral white.
Meanwhile, his teammate Bobby Taylor had essentially the same design on his mask as Favell, except the colors were alternating black and white “rays”.
Wayne Stevenson
Bernie Parrent’s understudy for most of his Flyers career, except when Parrent’s injury forced him to work for much of the 1975-76 season, Wayne Stevenson wore plain white mask. However, in 1977 he donned one of the most striking masks of his era. That mask was modeled after the Philadelphia Away kit, mostly orange, with black “Flyers logos” facing each other, fastened around the eyes with white accents to make the design even more eye-catching. Later Stevenson’s mask also had an orange-colored protective cap at the bottom, which served as the first generation’s neck protection.
Jerome Mrazek
A free-spirited type nicknamed “Moses” for his long hair, intricate mustache and beard, Mrazek made only one regular season appearance (February 7, 1976) during his tenure with the Philadelphia Flames.
(mainly the goalkeeper played in the lower leagues). However, despite the brevity of his NHL playing career, Mrazek delivered a memorable performance. His mask itself was simple and unremarkable, except for the fact that even by mid-70s standards it wasn’t very protective. What made him memorable was that even when he wore the mask, Mrazek’s beard still protruded from below.
Pete Peters
From the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, some NHL goaltenders began to wear birdcage masks: standard helmets similar to those worn by field players with the addition of faceplates. This was done primarily in order to be more comfortable and less traumatic for goalkeepers. Some “birdcages” had a plastic neck added on the bottom.
Pete Peters wore the standard mask (with swirling black and orange paint). However, during his first tenure with the team, he wore a helmet and a protective face cage. It was in a helmet and cage with a neck guard that rookie Peters helped the Flyers to a 35-game unbeaten streak and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals alongside veteran Phil Meyer.
Peters was an NHL All-Star at 1979-80 and 1980-81.
Later, when Peters returned to the Flyers for the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons, he wore a full face mask—white with four Philadelphia logos (crown, right temple, left temple, chin) that was mostly similar to styles still in use in the 2000s.
Other Flyers goaltenders who wore cages in the 1980s and early 1990s: Rick St. Croix, Bob Froese, Ron Hextall, Darren Jensen, Mark “Treese” Laforest, Wendell Young, Bruce Hoffforth, and Ken Regget .
The last birdcage for the team was perhaps the most memorable, being worn by Swedish goalkeeper Tommy Söderström, opting for a Jofa helmet with a massive bubble cage that protruded slightly beyond the ear buds on his helmet, and had both black padding on the line chin and attached full neck. Between the bars of the cage it was always easy to distinguish the features of the goalkeeper.
Pelle Lindberg
Even as a member of the Hammarby hockey program in Stockholm in the middle of 19In the ’70s, years before Philadelphia signed him in 1979, the late Pelle Lindbergh’s mask paid homage to his idol Bernie Parrent.
Not only did Pelle wear the same style mask as Bernie, but he also added Flyers logo stickers in the same places as his.
At the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, Lindbergh was dismayed when tournament officials told him to cover the Flyers’ logos with white tape. He complied, but later complained half-jokingly to Team USA goaltender Jim Craig (with whom Lindbergh had befriended) that the latter was allowed to keep the shamrock sticker on his mask, while Pelle had to cover up all of his team emblems.
Lindbergh has always been proud of his Parrent-style mask, explaining in an interview that it was a continuation of his personal path in the sport. However, for a short time Lindbergh actually switched to a different helmet and cage design.
When Lindbergh suffered a severe slump in his second NHL season (1983-84), the Flyers sent him briefly to the Springfield Indians in the AHL to regain his confidence under lower pressure. During his brief stay in Springfield, Lindbergh wore a helmet and a cage with a “hornet” design on the helmet, modeled after the logo of the Swedish newspaper Expressen.
Lindbergh wore it to reverse his luck and try to create rivalry and dislike for the inmates, much like New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith.
After four games with Springfield, a more confident Lindbergh returned to the Philadelphia roster and donned the familiar white mask again.
Ron Hextall
Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender Ron Hextall displayed at least six different mask designs during his Philadelphia playing career (1986-87 to 1991-92, 1994-95 to 1998- 99). The most memorable design during his first stay was an orange arrow pointing down from the top of his head to the bottom of his forehead. The mask was known as “The Puck Stops Here”, reminding hockey players who was in charge.
Many years later, current Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott would play wearing a helmet that featured a mask designed by Franny Drummond that was inspired by Hextall’s famous arrow motif. Elliott, who grew up a Hextall fan, wanted to pay homage to the Arrow Mask, but not a replica.
In the early 2010s, Michael Leighton also had a variation of the Hextall Arrow design among the designs he wore.
During Hextall’s second work, he showed masks with various city-inspired design elements such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the illuminated Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Perhaps the most striking version was the silvery Philadelphia skyline, which covered about 2/3 of the mask along the bottom and sides.
Garth Snow
The often short-tempered Garth Snow, both with the Flyers and with other teams, favored helmets with menacing yeti designs against intimidating backgrounds. In Philadelphia, they were sinister snowmen on either side against a black background, their claws reaching for the Airmen logo on their chin.
John Vanbiesbroek
Goaltender John Vanbiesbroek, late in his NHL career, sported a recognizable mask design inspired by his nickname (“Beezer”): an expansive “bee” motif set against a brilliant orange background.
Antero Niitimäki
Philadelphia’s head coach Ken Hitchcock nicknamed Finnish goalie Niittimäki “Frank” because his teammates called the player “Nitti” for short. The shortened version of the surname, in turn, reminded Hitchcock of the infamous Prohibition-era Chicago mobster Frank Nitti. Fictional versions of Nitti and Al Capone were villains in The Untouchables that the hockey coach was a fan of.
Soon, many Flyers fans and some teammates began calling the goaltender “Frank.” This nickname inspired his most famous mask design, which features a vintage Nitti-style gangster in a gunfight. He had several variations on this theme.
Ray Emery
The late Ray Emery was a big boxing fan and also an amateur boxer in his youth. During his first stint with Philadelphia, Emery was asked to design a mask that included boxing legends including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Frazier. The back of the helmet featured a fictional boxer who lived in Philadelphia: Rocky Balboa from the movie Rocky.
Emery later had a mask in honor of the famous Tuskegee pilots.
Robert Ash, Sean Burke and Rob Zepp
Friends and teammates Robert Ash and Sean Burke have worn helmets throughout their careers that reflect their musical tastes.
Classic rock lover Bourke, who is also an avid guitarist, has worn masks throughout his career that have honored the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.
Meanwhile, country music influenced Robert Ash’s masks, he included images of Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock in his helmets, as well as the skull of Uncle Sam on the top of his head.
Later, when Rob Zapp played for Philadelphia in 2014-15, his mask chin bore his nickname, Zepper, written in the same script preferred by the legendary Led Zeppelin fan. It wasn’t by chance.
Sepp is rightfully a big fan of the band and a guitar lover. On the back of the helmet, in addition to the German flag and the names of his children, was a sticker that read “yard sale”.
This joke stems not only from Zapp’s long career, but also from playing with buddies in a garage band dubbed the Yard Sale.
Mike McKenna
Let’s talk about goalkeepers who travel a lot, meaning they change teams often. So on January 2, 2019, the Flyers acquired veteran goaltender Mike McKenna from Vancouver. This transfer came just two days after he was traded from Ottawa to the same Canucks and a day after Vancouver waived him.
McKenna still had the Ottawa helmet on when he arrived at Philadelphia. He temporarily asked the Flyers staff to completely cover his mask with black tape before he made a new design for the remainder of his last professional season.
These “solutions” with color correction on the spot are not uncommon for goalkeepers who have just been traded or demanded from another team until they get new equipment. In addition to duct tape on the mask or a new tape on the goaltender’s stick, equipment personnel used a permanent marker to quickly change the color or lining.
gloves or blocking inserts. However, in some cases, a newly minted goalkeeper will simply keep the same until he gets an updated mask and other equipment.
In addition to McKenna, other Flyers goaltenders who temporarily wore a mask taped or painted white immediately after the Philadelphia acquisition included Michael Layton and Marty Byron. Frederic Chabot and some others.
Steve Mason
Steve Mason loved horror films in general and the zombie genre in particular. During his Philadelphia career, Mason has shown no less than four different zombie-themed masks.
One version contained zombified versions of the famous Airmen of the past (including Bernie Parrent, Bobby Clarke and Ron Hextall). In another, the goalkeeper showed his teammates as zombies, including Claude Giroud, Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds. In his final season in the NHL, Mason had a zombified version of his Winnipeg teammates created for Halloween.
Michael Layton, Steve Mason, Michael Neuwirth, Carter Hart
Between the 2010s and 2020, various Philadelphia Flyers goaltenders wore masks that paid homage to the famous Flyers players of the past, especially goaltenders.
Some of these masks were used regularly, while others appeared only briefly.
In addition to Mason’s aforementioned “famous zombie Flyers” mask, Michael Layton had a mask in 2010-11 that paid homage to the “Broad Street Hooligans” era, including Bobby Clark and Dave Schultz. In 2017-18, Michal Neuwirth paid tribute to Lindbergh with an image of Pelle, prominently displayed on his helmet. Last season, one of Carter Hart’s masks paid homage to Ray Emery.
Original article: https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/goalie-week-memorable-masks/c-319803932
16-year-old Tom Kiswetter explains his desire to become an NHL goaltender simply:
“All the credit goes to Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas. what he did at the gate and thought: “How cool! After all, it is thanks to him that they play in the final, it is he who is the hero of the team. Then I realized that I also want to become a goalkeeper. “0003
Tom is making good progress in making his dream come true. This season, he’s defending the gates of the Thayer Academy, a prestigious private school team in Boston that has been coached by former NHL forward Tony Amonti, himself a graduate of the academy, for 11 years.
With an impressive height of 198 cm, Kiswetter has the agility, speed and maturity of an elite “prospect”, which universities and junior league clubs are already hunting with might and main.
“Tom has two years of school left and is in the 10th grade now,” his mother Christina told NHL.com. when 12-year-old Tom completely switched from swimming to hockey, the speed of his growth and development amazed even Brian. He says that he has practically never met children who don’t even need to show some things: it’s enough to say what to do – and he himself translates these pointing to the right movements.After a year or a half, the coach sat me down with my husband and said: “I think that your son can reach the very top. He will have to work hard, but he has the potential to play in the NHL. “Which has been a dream for Tom since childhood.”
This dream would not have had the slightest chance of being realized, and most likely would never even have been born in a boy’s head, if little Tom had not pulled out a lucky lottery ticket in early childhood.
The fact is that by birth his name was Vasya, and he was born in Novokuznetsk, where at the age of two days he was abandoned by his biological parents, after which he found himself right from the maternity hospital in a local orphanage with the proud name of the Psychoneurological Children’s Home No. 1. From there he, 13 months old, was adopted in January 2006 by Christina and Eric Kiswetter. Three years earlier, they also took their first son, Ted, from the same orphanage. By birth – Pasha. He is now 19.
***
A small digression is required here for clarification. Kristina is originally from Hungary, from where she came to Moscow in 1989 to study at MGIMO at the Faculty of International Journalism. The Soviet Union was already rapidly approaching collapse, and Christina got there at the most difficult time.
“At first I had a culture shock,” she recalled. “Like all Soviet people, I stood in lines: in one store for bread, in another for milk. Georgia. We can say that I was partially ready for what awaits me there, but at first it was wild to live in it every day.
In Hungary, which, although it was a country of the communist camp, we did not encounter this. We had practically I remember saying that we were the happiest country in the Eastern bloc.”
After MGIMO in the mid-1990s, fate brought Kristina to America, where she went to receive a master’s degree at one of the universities in Cleveland. There she met fellow student Eric, but after a few years their young relationship faced a difficult test: Christina suffered cancer, after which she could no longer have her own children.
“Eric and I dreamed of becoming parents,” she recalls. : I, they say, did not know anything about this child before. And the adoptive parents were losing him. Therefore, we were ready to consider options with any other country. We studied, in particular, Cambodia. But then one of the agencies with which we contacted reported: “We have built a good relationship with one orphanage in Russia, in Novokuznetsk. And with him we really managed to arrange everything fantastically quickly.
So we became the parents of 11-month-old Ted in 2002.
Tom’s adoption process turned out to be much more difficult. By that time, politics had already intervened with might and main, as a result of which, by 2006, the number of Russian orphans adopted by Americans, which reached a historical peak in 2004 (5862 children according to the US State Department), decreased by 37%. Tom was one of the 3702.
“For Tom, we went to the worst of winters,” recalls Kristina. a pair of trousers, a fur hat – and still froze terribly. The drivers who drove us to the orphanage did not turn off the engines of their cars – they said that in such a frost we would not start them again. ”
However, the foster parents of “Pasha” and “Vasya” have the warmest memories of the shelter itself.
“The orphanage was amazing,” says Christina. “They did everything they could for the kids, and they did everything possible and impossible for us, too. They were especially touched by the fact that when we flew in for Tom, they brought with them and Ted, whom they no longer hoped to ever see.
Some employees even cried.A few years later, to see a flourishing, joyful child who crawled out of his shell and openly communicates with everyone was an invaluable gift for them.But, as it were, the orphanage did not try to surround its children with love, it still remained a shelter: you go into the bedroom and you see 25 beds, one to one.And if someone cries at night, then good luck to everyone else.Both Ted and Tom after arriving home for the first time slept for 13-14 hours, compensating for the previous months of lack of sleep. And they began to grow literally before our eyes.”
The Kiswetters could not choose among the children living in the orphanage. Before arriving in Russia, they were sent a photograph of the child on the basis of the principle “if you want – take it, if you don’t want – don’t.” They wanted to – and for both sons they flew from Boston to Novokuznetsk twice. For the first time – for an interview with the leadership of the orphanage and acquaintance with the future son.
In the second, to a court hearing four weeks later, as in the case of Ted, or three months later, as in the case of Tom.
“We processed all the documents through an American adoption agency, which had a coordinator in Moscow, as well as employees living in Novokuznetsk, Perm and other regions,” says Kristina. “We were immediately told the prices for all services, and it was great “, because it saved us from having to pay bribes on the spot. How this money was distributed within the Russian system is a completely different question. I don’t know anything about this and, most likely, I don’t want to know. But we brought gifts for the orphanage with pleasure. The kids who live there deserve the best.”
***
Tom met hockey at the age of five and fell in love with it immediately and forever. The older brother had friends who wanted to play hockey, and Kristina enrolled both sons in the program “Learn to Skate” (“Learn to skate”) for a start. They taught the basics of figure skating, but after graduation, the boys were given the opportunity to go through the screening and join the hockey team.
“Tom rushed to the goal in the first second,” Christina laughs. “For him, it was not even a question what position he wanted to play in. He once looked at the match of other boys and decided: I am the goalkeeper. And I played for quite a long time there, at the lowest level. In those years, both sons were much more serious about swimming, because of which we often had to rush from one training session to another, but swimming was an unconditional priority. Not in Tom’s head, but in mine. And here because of which”.
With these words, Christina took out a huge plastic bag, stuffed to capacity with medals. Dozens of medals.
“Ted is a one-time, and Tom is a multiple New England champion of his age in breaststroke,” she explained. “Tom even holds one New England record. hockey, insisted that Tom not leave him, despite his success in swimming. Well, now I can only thank him for that. Because I myself at first did not see any point in it. “Why do you need this hockey, when Are you so good at swimming?!”
“My first memory of hockey is a rink divided across into three sections, in each of which we played our little matches,” says Tom.
to play in goal, and one boy who also wanted to be a goalkeeper always managed to get it before me. I was very upset.”
For as long as he can remember, he always wanted to become stronger, and for this he spared no effort.
“At that age, every kid who plays hockey dreams of growing up to the NHL,” he says. “The question is who of them is willing to invest enough work into it. I have always loved to go out on the ice, whether it’s a game or training, and this feeling still has not left me. I always wanted to play as best as possible. I can’t stand conceding goals, even when “four to zero” run out at me in training. When I realized how much pleasure the whole hockey process gives me, I thought that it would be nice to achieve something in this game.”
Despite the fact that he was able to break his mother’s love of swimming and switch to hockey in full only at the age of 12, Tom caught up with his peers in skill by leaps and bounds.
“I don’t think I’m behind the other guys in technical components at all,” he says.
I think I did very well, but now I have a new challenge: to learn how to play according to my height and size. very exciting process. Brian says that I am almost the fastest learner of new skills among anyone he has ever worked with. ”
Among his best matches, Tom, imagine, names those in which his team lost devastatingly.
“When I was in the eighth grade, there was one match in which we lost 0-7, but I made more than 70 saves,” he smiles. so strong, our team was completely useless. But I remember that I didn’t worry about the score at all. One of the character traits that all my coaches noted was the ability to instantly forget about the missed puck. After the match, of course, I reflect, I think about what I could have done better. But as long as the game is on, I live in the present moment.”
In another match, already this year, Thayer Academy lost to Bellmont Hill – 0:3. This game, in which Tom made 40 saves, he considers his strongest of the season.
“Bad matches, of course, also happened,” the 16-year-old goalkeeper admitted.
Amonti’s coach himself told me: “Tom, you have to step up. We’re playing an important match!”
In the third period, in the last minute, with the score 6:6, the opponents had the opportunity to score with a backhand into an empty net, but my partner deliberately knocked the gate down in a crazy crush. The judges, of course, appointed a penalty, but I saved it, and in overtime we scored the seventh and won.”
I was curious about Kiswetter’s comments about his favorite NHL goaltenders.
“I’ve been a Bruins fan all my life, but I’m ready to watch absolutely any game on TV, and in the morning I always try to watch all the highlights,” says Tom. they are different: Vasilevsky is very fast, plays mainly on reflexes, and Helleback is more of a blocker.But for myself, I seem to have found a middle ground between them.Although I feel that with my height I am still in search of everything that I am capable of thanks to him. But at the same time I want to be as fast as Vasilevsky and make saves that seem impossible from the outside.
”
Video: TBL-DAL: Stars failed to score against Vasilevskiy
***
Mom, who didn’t know anything about hockey for a long time, already invested as much time and effort into it as Tom himself.
“Our travels alone are worth it!” she laughs. “I recently got rid of my old car, which I have driven 278,000 miles over the past five years. Almost all of this mileage is our hockey trips.”
Imagine this distance? Literally further than the moon.
“In order to redeem myself for keeping him swimming for so long, I’m now struggling to educate myself about hockey so that I can at least have a meaningful dialogue with him,” she adds with a smile.
Quite a lot of expenses for equipment, coaches, trips and private schools Kiswetters are willing to bear – fortunately they have the opportunity. Christina, in particular, owns a successful company that manufactures chairs, benches and seats for commercial organizations.
“Children’s interests have always been our priority,” says Tom and Ted’s mother.
“We live in a nice colonial house, but we could afford to live in a palace. I always laughed at my friends who live in the best houses in the nicest neighborhoods, but their kids go to mediocre public schools, and their parents don’t have time to take them to any classes.In our family, it’s always been exactly the opposite: we’ll live in a normal, moderate house, but absolutely everything, what children need to realize their potential, they will have. We are not poor people, but we prefer to spend a significant part of our income on children.”
***
Since the Kiswetters took Tom away from Novokuznetsk in January 2006, they have never returned to Russia. But not at all because none of them is drawn to visit there again.
“I would love to go to Russia with the boys,” says Kristina. “The problem is that Russian children, even those adopted by foreigners, remain citizens of this country. When we went to fetch Tom, Ted had to fly with us on a Russian passport “I can’t tell you how stressful it was for me.
Every second I lived in fear that someone would come and take him from us. Or that we would have problems at the airport when crossing the border: they say, what does this Russian child “Is he with an American family? I heard that now, if we go there, at least the eldest son can be taken into the Russian army. If it weren’t for these fears, we would go there without hesitation. Because I really want to show them a country in which they were born. After all, she is almost dear to me, I lived there for almost five years. I studied Russian literature and I feel Russian culture in many ways.”
“So far, neither Ted nor Tom have expressed a desire to go there,” she adds. “But we raised them in such a spirit that they were proud of their Russian origin – and I see that they have it. several stages of realizing who he is and where he came from. Tom got through this much faster than Ted. “I’m Russian?! Wow, cool!” His teammates even came up with nicknames for him: Vlad and Moscow. Although he was never Vlad, the guys think that Vlad is such a harsh, courageous Russian name.
It seems to me that both of my sons associate Russia with strength and something formidable.”
Is it easy for such children to get rid of gloomy thoughts, how could their life have turned out if their father and mother had not taken them away from the Russian orphanage?
“This situation has a much stronger emotional impact on the eldest son than on the younger one,” Kristina believes. children have to leave the orphanage.When Ted realized how high the percentage of those who end up in complete poverty, get into drugs or just die, he was scared.But even if you do not think about the worst, in that city he could work either for “There were no alternative career options. But Tom looks at it completely differently: I, he says, would still become a goalkeeper and play for Metallurg! About who would buy him all his equipment and took him to training every day for many years, he apparently doesn’t think about it.”
“Such thoughts sometimes spin, but I don’t even understand how to comprehend it,” admitted Tom.
“I have never been to Russia since my mom and dad took me away. I have no memories of that country , and almost no ideas about life there. Of course, I very much doubt that I could be there in a situation similar to my current one. If only because Novokuznetsk is a rather specific city. How my life there could have turned out – I have no idea But, of course, I’m very glad that everything happened that way.”
***
So far, the national hockey federations have not contacted Tom directly, but since Tom has two citizenships, he could theoretically play for either of the two teams.
When asked which of the two potential national teams her son would choose, Christina answered rather confidently:
his heritage and he would be proud to play for her, but this boy is totally American.”
Tom himself is not interested in this question at all.
“I wouldn’t say that this is a priority for me,” he said. “Probably, if such an opportunity presents itself, and there are no other alternatives at this moment, I will consider it.
