Editor for NFL and NHL team, as well as a contributing hockey writer. Previously with ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Chalk and ESPN Fantasy. Joined ESPN in 2012.
That's how often Robin Lehner of the New York Islanders sharpens his True goalie skates, putting a little bit of an edge on the blade as he begins his preseason skating in the summer, then maintaining the blade with a skate tool every couple of weeks throughout the season.
No, you're not misreading that. Just one trip to the skate sharpener for the 6-foot-4 Swedish goaltender for the entire grinding NHL campaign -- and he's happy.
"I have no edge at all," says the Isles' new free-agent acquisition. "You couldn't cut yourself on them. I'm a pretty big guy, and I use my toes a lot. When I shuffle, I don't want any resistance. I like to flow. I pretty much use the tip of my skate when I go side to side, and if I go in and out of the crease, I use my heel a lot. I dig down into the ice pretty easy, so I don't need it to be sharp."
By comparison, Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues will put half an inch on his skates an average of twice a week, changing out the blades every two weeks or so. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets likes his blades pretty sharp, putting a new 3/8-inch edge on every other day. The Vezina Trophy finalist recently changed to a one-piece skate and suggested the lack of rivets makes the skate feel stronger on the ice. Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk gets his blades sharpened before every game.
"I think I'm one of the only guys who does that," Lehner says of his unusually dull skate blades. "My equipment managers like me because they don't have to sharpen my skates that much."
Consistency is key
While Lehner's routine might sound crazy, it's not out of the ordinary for an NHL goalie to be particular about his equipment and how he wears it. Of the 62 goalies suiting up every night, no two wear their equipment exactly the same, despite a growing list of regulatory limitations placed on a goalie's precious gear by the NHL rulebook.
NHL goaltenders have long been obsessive about their equipment. After all, they are wearing nearly $10,000 in gear at any given time, and Blues head equipment manager Joel Farnsworth estimated that the cost of outfitting an NHL goalie for the entirety of the season ranges from $45,000 to $55,000. Protecting against an Alex Ovechkin slap shot while also not hindering a goalie's ability to be in position to stop it is the main objective when selecting and perfecting equipment. Los Angeles Kings equipment manager Darren Granger even remembers Arturs Irbe making his own changes to his gear, including sewing his stuff, during his time in Vancouver in the late 1990s.
Today's equipment offers goalies a plethora of options in customization and variation in how they wear it. And while goalies will run through multiple sets, they tend not to make large changes.
Allen will go through six to eight sets of leg pads per season, along with more than a dozen catching gloves, six to eight blockers, double-digit pairs of pants, six dozen sticks, a pair of masks and at least two pairs of skates. The only piece of equipment that remains in the bag all season for the Blues goalie is his chest protector. He got a new one this past season for the first time in more than three years, preferring the broken-in feel that is contoured to his body. He and Hellebuyck both sway from the pack in tucking their chest protectors into their pants and tightening them down with a lace. Dubnyk joined that party a few seasons ago as well.
"It pushes my shoulders up a bit, but it definitely narrows the width of my ribs," explains Allen. "I wear everything tight, tight, tight. I'm not trying to look massive."
In general, tautness is one of the bigger areas of differentiation, especially in the leg pads.
"I don't really wear bulky stuff," Allen says. "My pads are wrapped as tight as they can be around my legs. I've tried to wear the really loose pad and use minimal strapping, but I just feel like it's really sloppy on my leg. I just feel like the pad is doing its own thing and the leg is doing another. I like to feel it all as one."
Both Allen and Hellebuyck crank down on the leg straps, while Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights wears his CCM leg pads a little looser. Allen associates the tighter equipment with easier movement around the crease, and Hellebuyck points to a better feel of the puck in playing shots.
"I'm a little old style with how I wear them," Hellebuyck says. "The bottom [strap] is the only one I wear loose. Everything else I tighten snug so I feel the pad on my leg."
Despite using numerous sets during each season, the 28-year-old Allen has been wearing the same style Vaughn pad since he was 21, in his second pro campaign. He briefly wore Reebok pads early in his career and tried a new model pad four or five years ago, but he didn't make the change. J.C. Bergeron, sports marketing director at CCM Hockey, supplier to the likes of Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, explains that many pro goalies modify small parts of their equipment, but they rarely make drastic alterations to their setup, generally sticking to what they know.
"We offer them new technology, but at a small dose," Bergeron explained via email.
Dubnyk hasn't made many changes, either. His biggest recent alteration was changing the strapping on his pads, working with Bauer and eventually ditching leather for Velcro two seasons ago. If you're trying to get an idea of how the 6-foot-6 Wild goalie feels about change, look no further than his skates.
"I've kind of settled in now with what I like," he says. "I wear the old Reebok skates, the same model I started wearing when I was 18. I wear one pair per year. Old white cowling goalie skates, and I just haven't been able to get away from them. I've tried the newer models and I know they're lighter, but I just can't get used to them. They're too stiff for me."
Lehner used Vaughn pads for most of his career before making a switch to Brian's last season. He typically plays with one or two sets per season but runs through plenty of gloves. But he also isn't one for change.
Hellebuyck, likewise, has tried a few companies but has for the most part stuck to the CCM pads to which he's grown accustomed.
Looking ahead: The impact of latest rule changes
Allen pretty much makes changes now only as a reaction to rule changes. Considering the recent changes that made goalie pants smaller, he says, "I think the pants might've changed certain ways guys wore the chest [protector] compared to how they did in the past. I think you have to adapt with the changes of the gear."
Through that reasoning, you'll probably see changes in how players wear the chest protector. The NHL has announced that goalies will be restricted by new rules regarding equipment, as outlined by InGoal Magazine. The biggest takeaway is a reduction in padding around the neckline and shoulders, which some say is opening up more potential for injury.
What's that mean for modifications? As Allen pointed out, tucking the chest protector into the pants tends to push the shoulders up a bit, so you might see more of that. You might also see more goalies using plastic neck protectors to reduce vulnerability. Dubnyk has worn one since he was 21, while Lehner wore one for most of his career before removing it two seasons ago because he felt it was annoying and in the way. But changes in equipment rules might force some hands.
Equipment evolves with every season, and even though many goalies shy away from major change, there are always new regulations. This leaves many with no choice but to make alterations to their gear and, as a result, how they wear it. Time will tell just how much the newest regulations truly impact each goalie's setup and personal preference in how they wear chest protectors.
Based on what our panel of goalies indicated, however, it would be shocking if anyone made any major changes.
NHL goaltenders have long been obsessive about their equipment. After all, they are wearing nearly $10,000 in gear at any given time, and Blues
Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the six teams from the 1967 NHL expansion and is named after the W. C.
head equipment manager Joel Farnsworth estimated that the cost of outfitting an NHL goalie for the entirety of the season ranges from $45,000 to $55,000.
The cost to outfit a goalie with brand new, top-of-the-line pro-level goalie equipment is around $6,570. Don't let the sticker price scare you away, on the low end, a goalie outfitted in entry-level gear can buy brand new equipment for less than $3,000.
Numbers in the thirties were seen as "safe" for goaltenders, since most numbers below thirty were already spoken for by forwards and defensem*n (remember that "high numbers" were essentially-unheard of at this time).
Traditionally/historically, the rule of thumb was to pull the goalie with one minute left per goal needed. Currently, NHL teams are pulling their goalies earlier each season. As established, teams are successful at scoring with the goalie pulled around 15% of the time.
Why do NHL goalies not wear Warrior Gear? The short answer is, Warrior doesn't pay the National Hockey League. 2013 was the last time an NHL goalie wore branded Warrior goalie equipment in a game.
NHL goaltenders have long been obsessive about their equipment. After all, they are wearing nearly $10,000 in gear at any given time, and Blues head equipment manager Joel Farnsworth estimated that the cost of outfitting an NHL goalie for the entirety of the season ranges from $45,000 to $55,000.
Desjardins won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. He is also notable for being one of only two players in NHL history to have worn the number 69, with the other being Mel Angelstad.
They wanted to play like him. Today, if a player did wear number 66, it would feel like 66 tons of weight on his back. It's a number they would have to live up to. It's a number they know they couldn't live up to.
The rules of the IIHF, NHL and Hockey Canada do not permit goaltenders to be designated as on-ice captains, due to the logistical challenge of having the goaltender relay rules discussions between referees and coaches and then return to the crease.
While goaltender is arguably hockey's most difficult position to play and excel, particularly as the level of play accelerates, the center's role is the most important to the action on the ice. Centers are involved with most faceoffs (a puck drop between two opposing players to restart play).
The hardest position to play in hockey is the goalie. The goalie takes the longest to learn, is the most mental taxing, the most physically demanding, and often the biggest factor in determining whether a team wins or loses.
A black knob on the end of a goaltender's stick could easily be mistaken as a puck. And when the rule was written years ago, players had two tape colors to choose from. Black and white. By mandating goaltenders use white tape, the NHL was lessening the chance of blown calls by the goal judges.
Bauer, CCM, Vaughn, and Brian's have a long history of manufacturing some of the best equipment today, with the top NHL goalies sporting their equipment.
It is not until age 32 when a significant decline starts and by 35, a goalie's performance begins to fall off a cliff. Of course, there are the rare instances like Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur, and Roy who were all productive into their late 30's.
Gloves sit on the machine while a blower fan dries them out, so they'll be fresh to use by the time the next period begins. Some players even rotate through gloves during games, allowing them to keep their hands fresh and dry.
Per the NHL rule book: “When a goalkeeper has lost his helmet and/or face mask and his team has possession of the puck, the play shall be stopped immediately to allow the goalkeeper the opportunity to regain his helmet and/or face mask.
The double-cup Elliott referenced has become a minimum standard for most NHL goalies. They are typically made up of what most people think of as a standard jock protector in any sport: a protective cup built into a holder and attached to a waistband.
Goalie Masks - Updated BMHL Rule for Protective Plastic Shields aka Danglers. 7. a. While on the ice, all players and goalkeepers, registered for Minor Hockey within HEO are required to wear CSA approved facial protectors and a BNQ approved throat protector.
Is a player able to bodycheck the goalie like any other opponent on the ice? The goalie in hockey is not allowed to be hit by a player. There is no instance where the goalie is ‘fair game’ and allowed to be checked like a regular skater, even if the goaltender is handling the puck outside of the crease area.
In case of the unlikely event that both get hurt, home teams are required to designate an “emergency goalie” for each game: someone who can fill in for the rest of the game, for either team.
The NHL formerly allowed players to wear both No.0 and 00, but nobody has worn either since Marty Biron suited up for the Buffalo Sabres in 1995–96 with the double-zero on his back. The league subsequently outlawed the practice the following season.
Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke addressed the crowd before the game, congratulating them for their 32,000 ticket deposits made in a single day at the birth of the franchise. "You did it. And we will never, ever forget," Leiweke said. "And tonight, we will retire the number 32.
99 is retired throughout the NHL not only because he is considered the greatest player in League history, but because the number and his name are synonymous.
The fun wouldn't be complete unless we visited, for a bonus, with Sheehy and Biron. Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the NHL decreed that Nos. 0 and 00 could no longer be worn since they confused the League's digital database; today, only No. 1 through No.
NHL Rule 14D states that “[n]o playing Coach or playing Manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as Captain or Alternate Captain.” The Canucks have thought of a solution though. Willie Mitchell will handle all of the captain's duties on ice—things like those little chats with the referee.
Most pro goaltenders wear pajama-like T-shirts and pants underneath their equipment. This is because they are comfortable, absorb sweat, permit free movement and keep the goaltender warm during lulls in the play. You should use clean clothing every game and practice to prevent the dreaded hockey rash.
Most hockey goalies hold the tops of their sticks with their right hands, covered by a flat waffle board — or blocker — to block pucks out of harm's way, while they catch pucks with a gloved left hand.
Goalkeepers can score in soccer, just like any other player on the field. Goals from keepers are very rare though as it isn't often the player between the sticks finds himself in the right place to score. On even rarer occasions, keepers have scored from goal kicks.
Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators scored on a shot at an empty net during a 5–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on January 9, 2020, making him the first NHL goaltender to score a goal in six years as well as the first to score during the 2020s.
Goalkeeper scores from a goal kick – it could set the record for the longest range goal in history. Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena scores an outrageous goal direct from a goal kick.
According to Sports Virsa, the top 10 hardest sports in the world to play in 2022 are as follows: Boxing (hardest), American football, mixed martial arts, ice hockey, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, and water polo.
Hockey players are at risk for several contact and overuse-related injuries, and goalies are no exception. Though the 50 pounds of protective gear make a goalie the most protected player on the ice, it doesn't completely prevent injury.
But even he famously said that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports. So why is that the case? For one, the physics are extreme. The velocity of the average fastball in the Major Leagues is more than 90 miles per hour.
It helps to prevent excessive force being applied to the joints in the fingers when gripping and grappling. This increases your grip strength by moving the strength emphasis away from your fingers to your wrist and hands.
A player may apply tape anywhere on his stick for reinforcement or to enhance control of the puck. He may use any color tape that he prefers. Goalies must use a knob of white tape or some other protective material approved by the league on the top of the stick that is a minimum of ½” thick.
Every player in the NHL tapes the blade of their stick. Tape comes in many different sizes and colors, so there are a lot of options available. For the most part, players will either use black or white tape, and once they make the choice it tends to become habitual.
Numbers in the thirties were seen as "safe" for goaltenders, since most numbers below thirty were already spoken for by forwards and defensem*n (remember that "high numbers" were essentially-unheard of at this time).
White is more ambiguous, which helps goalies look bigger. "The illusion of white is you get bigger because the background (is white) and webbing on the net is white, the boards are white," Nilsson said. "With dark pads, you can see a little hole right away."
To purchase all your gear and pay tuition for a beginner player will cost you between $2,000-2500, about half of which is equipment and half of which is paying for ice time. What is this? For an intermediate player, you are looking at about $6000-7000 depending on the costs of your local travel hockey organization.
There is a wide range of prices for helmets worn by professional hockey goalies. The least expensive option is around $100, while the most expensive can cost up to $1,000.
A custom painted mask can range anywhere from $200-$900 (US), depending on the amount of artwork, detail, complexity of the design and types of materials (i.e.: gold leaf, films etc.) that are involved. On average, most masks that leave the shop are in the $300-$500 price range. Q.
Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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