Wonder35

Hopefully this video will open for y'all. One of the all time great Canadian Rock Bands, The Tragically Hip, put out a song titled The Lonely End of the Rink, and this video illustrated some of the greats who occupied that position. https://www.facebook.com/odf63/videos/10156729872674394/

Yes please, keep us updated on your return to play possibilities. All the best .........

My hockey gear dries in the laundry room and within 24 hours takes up residence in the garage. This is how one remains married to a beautiful woman for 51 years. "Yes dear."

It’s a Team Canada Red fridge, cleverly out of sight. Who’da thunk it?

I got to see and hear the 787B at the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca in 2013. God, it was music…….

This is my garage. It’s full.

I had this set of gloves and pads custom made by Scott Battram about 12 years ago. He had recently acquired some quality hides so I went for it. For a while now this gear has been hanging on my Hockey Wall of Shame, for display purposes only. What a waste! I would very much appreciate any advice for you learned ‘tenders. I am stuck in a chasm here where there appears to be no market on any current Hockey Gear For Sale forums. It would not take a whole lot of convincing to sell the pads and gloves, but where and to whom? The pads are 33” x 11”. All straps are buckles. I have changed the original and updated toe straps to buckles (still have 2 sets of toe ties). The Team Canada logo is my version of the original one. The internals are varying densities of foam, No horse hair, I promise. I have regularly maintained the leather. It is dark and supple, showing little wear and tear. The Trapper is enormous, illegal for any league that I know of but wonderful for us beer leaguers. The pocket is well fortified but the glove opens and closes very easily, heck, it’s leather. Pucks tend to get swallowed up with rare unintentional rebounds occurring. The Blocker is a more conventional size with a medium size stick glove. Again, it displays the similar Team Canada Goalie Version Logo as that of the Trapper and Pads. Photos below. I made a mask from a shell I acquired, installing a Warwick cage. It isn’t a high quality game action mask, more of a wall hanger.

Later on, when technology was at its zenith, I picked up a Betamax video of Denis Herron explaining how to play the angles.

Personally, I have never had a goalie coach, or even a hockey coach. As a kid I read every goalie related book that I could find and there weren't many. The key tenets were to remain standing and do not wander from your net.

Except that I would be standing whilst making the glove save. "Stay on your feet and don't play the puck. You're a goalie." So sayeth the 1960's coaches.

I have a friend whose nephew was an NHL goalie by the name of Pat Jablonski. When Pat was in minor hockey his Dad (who played Senior A in Canada) tried to turn his son into a "regular side" goaltender. In Major Midget Pat's Coach said "Enough" and allowed his player to go Full Right. Dad finally gave in and his boy had a very nice NHL career. And so my tale ends ...........

In 2008, 10 months after my hip replacement surgery, the surgeon gave me the same advice. Still ……… it took a clean cut breakaway by a premier player to convince me that my body could take it. I made a save on a close in shot and spread my operated leg to smother the rebound. I was back! At a post surgery checkup following my knee replacement (2018) the surgeon (different doctor) said in an emphatic tone “No way.” To playing goal. Some pleasure skating but no hockey, especially no goaltending. I sold my nearly new Brown gear, pads, gloves, C/A, pants and jock. That’s when I discovered Yoga, Aquafit, successful weight loss and my cobwebbed bicycle. Nine months afterwards I began to play once again. Mind you, with some used but quality gear. I had retained my Harrison mask and Graf Skates. Granted, I am not playing at a high level, as are most of you. But I am in the game. I wish you all a long, healthy and fun hockey life. .

I had that set with a matched set of Cooper DuraSoft pads. Terrible gear. The Trapper was heavy and clumsy to use. The pads were the original Shape Shifters, Blocker - OK, but not good.

Who could afford that?

One set of gear which I have had for 8-10 years. One wife, 51 years.

Excellent report and based on current technology. My first L Hip Replacement was performed in 2007. Within the next year or so I suspect that it will need replacing as the 100,000 Shot Warranty is soon expiring. Thanks very much for this comprehensive update.

Today I was asked to commit to an 80 game schedule commencing in September through to April. I countered with a modified plan, Mondays and Fridays, mid day, 90 minutes running time. No more tournaments as my oft repaired body can no longer sustain multi games per day. Waiting to hear from my Agent………. I am 74 years young this fall.

Welcome to the Dark Side where we stand up, let the puck hit our pads, play our angles and don't drop into prayer mode on every shot ....

Way to go Guys (and Gals). From a hot prospect since 1965. Do you realize how many Scouts I have seen come and go, mainly go .......?

That was Step One. Do you think …………. (he says to his mask.)

I'll have you know that I am not fat .......

Coop, your stick is a wonderful shade of blue. It's time you matched it with BLUE gear. You know, Leafs Blue.

I'm watching the Islanders/Hurricanes game right now. For the third night in a row I've seen a double pad stack. Be still my beating heart .................

No offence taken. It's all fair game. After all, aren't we used to shots being taken at us? Plus, I never considered it as anything other than a fun comment. Keep 'em coming ........ Go Leafs Go!

The Leafs are getting stronger at the right time, and that's when sitting out a handful of regulars over the past two weeks. Now for the sympathy angle, I was in High School when they last won the cup. I can already feel the love ...... Plus my Son has purchased us two tickets to the Stanley Cup parade through downtown TO this summer. However, my wife is under strict orders (?) to disregard any incoming phone calls from Area Code 416. I will not besmirch my long held reputation as a quality goaltender by signing an Amateur Tryout, only to sit on the bench, chewing wads of free gum, with the very real possibility of shitting my drawers should the starting goalie go down.