ilyazhito

Just tried on a pair of Extreme Flex 33" pads at the pro shop. They were a perfect fit, so I believe the Premiers you have should be the same way.

That's good to know. I'm somewhat in between sizes (5'11, 17 inch ATK, 20 inch FTK).

Cool. I've also been looking at deals on Premier II and even Axis pads on Sideline Swap for both 33 and 34-inch pads. If I'm a 34, I'll be covered. If I'm a 33, I'll get the pads and gloves from Adam. I'll go down to the pro shop and find out.

For ball hockey, I wear a long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, and sweatpants under my goalie gear. What should I add for ice?

I'll look into that. Maybe there is something on SidelineSwap.

AdamL had a pair of XLTs he was selling. I'll also look into more recent CCMs, Brian's, or other butterfly style pads for comparison.

That make sense. What sort of base layers do you wear for ice? About equipment, I'm getting knee pads, a neck protector, legal pads and an upgraded chesty. I have an old Vaughn Vision 9400 that looks like it's falling apart (the collar area is worn and the washers used to secure the elbow pad cups are almost all gone). My Itech mask has an attached dangler, so I think that's good to go for ice. I'll have to see if my stick fits me with skates on as it does on foot. If not, I'll look at sticks too, and get two. My cup is a Vaughn Vision goalie double jock. I'll see how long it holds up, and replace it as needed. Thanks also for the advice on keeping skates sharp. I'll do that. I've read that once every 10 hours of skating was the optimum amount of time to sharpen.

That makes a lot more sense. So Reebok Premiers for $300 are a steal, because those are pro-level pads available for below clearance prices, if I understand correctly.

What is 2nd price point? I'm not too familiar with that. I'll also check out Sideline Swap to see if they have good deals on older top-level pads or mid-level pads from the last 3 years once I find out my size. Right now, I have a 17" ATK measurement and a 20" FTK measurement, so that puts me in either a 33 inch or 34 inch pad, depending on the manufacturer. For Brian's is Optik or Net Zero the flat-faced pad? I'll also see if there are deals on Warrior pads on Sideline Swap.

Hi folks, my name is Ilya. I'm a current ball hockey goalie in the DC area looking to make the transition to ice hockey. I am a 27-year-old man with limited skating experience, and I've done my homework on options in the area. I've been in touch with the local HNA program, and they told me they'll have a goalie coach at the Hockey North America School in January! I'm really stoked for that. I'm also getting fitted for skates and pads later this week. I can't wait to hit the ice, practice my skating, and learn goalie movements. Hopefully I'll be well equipped to make saves when the HNA school starts. I would like to learn more about how some of y'all started playing goal as adults and what your experience was with learning both skating and how to play goalie. Was it a more linear sequence from learn to skate, then stick time/learn to play, then actual games, or did you combine steps? Did you get private lessons to supplement learn to skate/learn to play? At what stage did you start learning goalie-specific movements? Are there any tips and tricks to remember in coming over from ball to ice?

I'm looking for a harder pad that puts the rebounds out. It really is annoying when the ball or puck dies, but goes just far enough out of your reach that if your D doesn't get it, it's a goal. I would either catch or trap, or failing that have the rebound fly out to the corners. If it takes time for the other team to reach the puck, it gives me that much time to get into position for the next save. That's why I mentioned the Premier, Ventus, and Supreme lines.

Makes sense. What payment methods do you take?

Interesting. I thought E-Flex was more of a Hybrid-style pad, because the goalies who wear E-Flex pads tend to play a more hybrid style. When I was learning ball hockey, my coach compared me to an Anders Lindback (big goalie who plays a blocking style). I would compare myself to Marc-Andre Fleury (a goalie who is not that big, but who wins the day by good positioning, challenging the shooters, and playing an effective butterfly style. Proficiency on ice is yet to be seen, but I'll check out pads that are older yet still modern. Maybe there are some older butterfly-oriented (flat face, few breaks) pads out there that I can claim at a discount. I'll also look into the GSX, and see what fits when I go to the pro shop later this week.

I'd be interested in the gloves and pads. For reference, I'm in MD. How well are the gloves broken in?

Are the Passaus a butterfly-type set or a hybrid-type set?

I'm a current ball hockey goalie looking to make the transition to ice. I tend to play a butterfly-oriented style (I look to go down and block shots whenever possible) in ball hockey, so I am looking for something that would allow me to play a similar style in ice hockey, once I get the hang of skating and goalie-specific movements. What pad is good for butterfly, yet doesn't break the bank? I've been looking at Goalie Monkey, and found Bauer GSX pads for $499.99. Are there other pads in that price range, and/or good pads from prior years (i.e. Reebok/CCM Premier, Vaughn Ventus, Bauer Supreme) that will support a similar play style?

That is why I have a ready stance with the trapper high, usually at about shoulder height. My left arm and hand form a 135 degree angle from my shoulder. This keeps my trapper high and in front of me so I can mobilize it to make the save.

I call them "Lou" and "Ray". The crossbar is "Charles" or "Charlie". I will thank them for having the ball hit them and stay out. I talk to myself about positioning and remind myself to "get the next shot", "make a strong first save", etc. I also call out instructions to the defense ("Man on", "You got time", "Pressure", etc.) to let them know the situation.

Thanks. I'll ask both a pro shop and the store that originally sold me the Demons what the price for that would be. If it would be cheaper to buy legal pads, I'll do that and keep the Demons for ball hockey.

What is the current emerging alternative to cowlings? I'd like to know, to see how good cowling-less skates are compared to traditional skates with cowlings.

Is there a way to update old pads to make them legal to play with today? I'm a ball hockey goalie who has a pair of 12" wide Brian's Demons with thigh boards. I'd like to use them for ice hockey, but USA Hockey requires that leg pads be no wider than 11 inches. Could the pads be cut down, or would it make more sense to buy existing legal pads?