stackem30

My wife and I visited Michel when we were in Montréal for our anniversary, and I was fitted for a mask. I just got word that my mask is now under production! Here's what I've requested, spec-wise. Can anyone think of anything I'm forgetting to ask/address? Mask Details -Brodeur model -Fiberglass/kevlar mix -Gloss black paint -White window -Cat eye in white (single bar, please!) -Chin sling -White straps -Black padding inside (is there a difference in the padding, aside from color?) -Normal backplate (not hidden straps - I'd like to see them) -Round holes I also asked him about chin length — specifically, if Brodeur had a longer chin on his own mask... I don't think so, but I was curious. I was also curious if there was a specific neck-guard/dangler recommended for Protechsports. I usually like the A&R Round-Style neck-guard, and I don't see why I'd switch... but I wanted to hear what you all think.

Thank you - I don't own these yet, but I'm planning on buying them and I believe they're JenPro.

You've automatically become the boards acetone expert (until another more knowledgeable comes to take your place): -Any particular brand? -Based on the labels you removed, think it would work removing the Bstar from these kneepads?

Doobie, for a second I thought your rug pattern was your toe ties, and I thought "I know some people like a lot of slack to tie around their ankles, but that's just ridiculous...."

Coming in hot from Kenesky. Mike really made my vision happen: a 90's pad, but with lighter materials, and more protection in the back. I stuck with my usual white/black/silver-grey color scheme to match my glove and blocker, and went with my own interpretation of the R-Series graphic, which I thought was pretty handsome. Still, the colorway and the side of the pads are definitely meant to be a subtle wink to Brodeur's old look. I'm very pleased with how they turned out, and I can't wait to get them in the mail.

Also not a problem for me -- I pack my bag the night before, including the water bottle (which is pretty much the only thing I can/do forget from time to time). Besides, when the water's too cold my stomach can cramp up a bit. I'm all for room-temperature water.

Here's my packing breakdown, which I've developed over the years. It's not impressive, but I've put a lot of thought into it. Consistency is key, and once you have your setup nailed down, it's almost difficult to forget anything. The basic strategy behind my packing setup is a two-fold: I pack the bag so that I can take things out of it in the order that I put them on (more or less) I pack the bag to protect the equipment inside Note that I use an old-school canvas bag (player-size) with interior pockets on both sides. One pocket contains a small drawstring bag with tape, screws, odds and ends, and my water bottle. The opposite pocket is wear I put my socks, long-johns, t-shirt, and socks. Note that I keep my clothes away from my water bottle (one learns from accidents), and that one pocket is harder stuff, and the other is softer stuff -- I'll get back to that later. I am a pads-on-the-outside guy. 1. Chest protector, jersey, and neck guard on the bottom. They are among the last things I put on, and they lie pretty flat on the bottom of the bag (I have the chest protector face-down). More importantly, they are not fragile, so I don't have to think twice about plopping my bag down on the parking lot while I fumble for my keys. 2. The next layer is comprised of "the goods". My (bagged) mask is on one side of the bag, near the pocket with the soft goods. My glove and blocker are in the middle, providing the mask with 360 degrees of padding. On the other side of my gloves are my skates, which are next to the pocket with the 'harder' stuff. I told you I put too much thought into this... 3. The final layer is the get-started layer: pants, knee guards, and jock. I often place the knee guards and jock inside the pants to make everything compact (I also want to keep it away from anything that goes near my face!). I am very disciplined about spraying my gear and airing it out when I get home, so breathing room inside the bag is not so much of a concern. So when all is said and done, I plop my bag down, and grab my under-clothes from the side pocket. Then I have my jock, pants, and knee guards (I put on my skates before my knee guards, but it's no issue to place the knee guards aside for a minute). I buckle up my pads after that, and then I just have my C/A, neck guard, jersey, gloves, and mask waiting for me at the bottom of the bag. Pretty efficient! As for packing a towel and shower supplies, I've been fortunate to play at locations that are very close to wear I live for the last few years (~7 minutes away), so I generally do not shower at the rink. It's just not worth the hassle or cold-water discomfort when a hot shower at home is only a few minutes away. Our bathroom is not next to our master bedroom, so my wife doesn't mind me showering at 1am. EDIT: For those asking about how we pads-on-the outside people carry our pads, I simply loop my two top straps and throw them over my shoulder. I have an "old-school" leather strap setup, and the new pads that I ordered do too.

Thx ULTIMA. I assume the picture infers that I should wear a beanie and smoke pot before I play... I usually have that covered, but appreciate the advice nonetheless.

So my team's joined a new league where the games are all played outdoors. I live in Boston, so we're talking your typical New England winter (though it's showing a low of 39 degrees F for my first game on Thursday). I've somehow never played outdoors, so I'm really not sure what to expect, or how to dress under my gear. I was hoping you all might offer some advice on how I can prepare for outdoor hockey. I could see it being not very different from playing indoors, once I get a sweat going... or I could be totally wrong. Am I going to be just fine? Freezing? Do I need (thin) wool socks? Do I want to play in a turtleneck, as opposed to my usual t-shirt? Do I need to worry about my ears freezing off? Any and all help would be much appreciated!

Mmmyeah, I would like to see those! And thanks for the nice wishes, everyone.

Well, I met Michel this Monday on our way out of Montréal -- what a treat. Aside from being quite excited to commission a mask, I was eager to meet Michel, ask him a few questions about his experience making masks for goalies I admired growing up, hear some stories, and just check out his working space. He was a lovely guy, someone I felt very good about working with. His measurements were all eyeballed -- he just held the shell I chose over my head a few different times, eyed some spacing, and took some notes on the fit. I went with the following setup: Mold: Brodeur Materials: Kevlar + Fiberglass Color: Glossy black, with white window under the cage Cage: White cat-eye Holes: Circular Straps: Off-white Back-plate Straps: Visible Inner padding: Black Low and behold, I was tooling around the old GSBB Protechsport thread after I arrived back in Boston, and saw that someone had the *exact* same mask... I can't remember what the username was, and I don't know if they migrated over here, but hey, I love the free preview! Michel had a lot of orders on his hands (and an enormous stack of molds that people sent him as proof), and he said I might have my mask around January. Being a realist/cynic, I'm expecting to have it by March or so -- but the wait is no problem. I'm just very happy to know that I'll have a Protechsport of my own. That's a big item for me to check off my lifetime goalie wishlist.

Looks like I'm all set to stop by his shop on Sunday for a fitting! I'm pretty excited. I've been drooling over Protechsport masks since I was a kid (whether I knew it or not). I wanted to spring for one back in 2011, but my old mask (an Olie) got absolutely demolished, and I couldn't wait for a Protechsport. So I bought a Hackva instead. But I always wanted a Protechsport, and since I started visiting goalie boards like this one and the GSBB, I've become all too aware that a craftsman like Michel won't go on making masks for ever, and that his masks are (relatively) custom to each buyer, based on the shape/sizing. So I feel like this is my chance to make an investment in my own long-term gear happiness.

I'm going to be in Montréal this weekend, and I was debating stopping by Michel's shop to get fitted molded for a Protechsport. I've always wanted one, and who knows how long Michel will be making them. It's one of those things that I would absolutely kick myself over if I were to lose my chance to have one. I was just in the middle of emailing him about stopping by, but I wanted to come here first and see what the protocol was. Does he work weekends? Does he create molds for customers, or is that something you're supposed to handle yourself? I just don't want to be inconsiderate and write him an email asking if I can come by and have him do a mold if that's not how things work, etc. Please let me know, thanks!

One of the few shots I have from two days worth of commercial shoots at NHL Media Week way back in 2011. I had forgotten that I even had a few pictures until I went looking through my Mac for some hockey photos for this new board =] That was the final shoot of the week with Zach Parise.

Hey hey what's up! Hope this new board kicks off nicely... GSBB is too sad. I tend to agree with others that I'd prefer a goalie board without the GGSU kids. Anyway, glad someone's trying to revive what we had at GSBB. That was a really informative board with a lot of knowledge and interesting people, but it's dried up.

Hey hey what's up! Hope this new board kicks off nicely... GSBB is too sad.