How to Buy a Skate?

Richard H asks:

I am looking to buy some new skates. There are so many brands and models.
Can you give a quick lesson on what to look for in skates?
I am planning on visiting my sister in Minnesota this weekend, so I am planning on stopping at Hockey Giant. Good or bad idea?

I have always preached that skates need to be tried on since different models & brands fit different foot shapes. A visit to a large store like Hockey Giant is a great idea (although I do preach to keep your money local if at all possible).

Every brand has a high, middle & low end model. This means $600, $300 or $100. There are also typically several models in between. So, in the end your choices can include 4-8 models per brand. That's alot of info to digest, so here are some tips.

1. Cost - Determine how much you want to spend. The more expensive skates are made with materials that make a skate lighter, more durable or more comfortable. A certain line of skates should all have a very similar design, so the fit will be very similar.
2. Brands - Don't buy a pair because Ovechkin wears them (ok, maybe that's a bad example). You should try as many brands on as possible. I suggest one on each foot to compare the different styles.
3. Size - If it fits like a slipper, its probably too big. Start 1 size down from your shoe size. Keep going smaller until its tight (but not painful). Your toes may actually hit the front when standing, but if you bend your knees into a "ready" position, you'll notice they pull away from the toe cap.
4. Options - You can also consider things like replaceable blades. If you plan on keeping the skates for a long time, this could be a good idea (if you skate enough to wear blades down).

In the end, try on many skates. If someone "guides" you to a certain brand, it could be because they don't sell the others, or get spiffs for selling a certain model, or just have a strong opinion. If a salesperson takes the time to ask you questions, and they don't put their opinions on you but rather sincerely help you into that "glass slipper" fit...buy it!

Lawrence or Dean?

Scott A asks:

I have the 5th pick in my "C League Fantasy Hockey League" draft. In this league, you also get points for scoring on your own goalie. I am thinking of drafting Brad Dean or Brad Lawrence. Who is the better selection?

Wow, waiting until the 5th round to take Dean or Lawrence is a risky move?! My guess is that you've done your homework and realize that the rest of the players in your fantasy league are too dumb to realize what a great pick either Brad truly is.

Lawrence is a workhorse. Never misses a game or rests any shifts. Dean is a grinder and goes for every loose puck. I don't think you go wrong with either pick, however I would take one other factor into consideration. Who's your goalie? You mentioned you get points for scoring on your own netminder which is a great twist. Even though both Brads can equally score against their own team, the goalie you take will play a factor. Example: If you draft Bast, it won't matter who else you draft because Shane can't stop a shot (from the opposition or his own team).

Take a Barker or Brown, and either Brad will have a tougher time scoring against them. Brown would make it a bit easier as he spaces off a bit more than Barker.

So in the end, Dean or Lawrence are a solid pick in any round. Don't get snubbed and wait too long as some other goofball may take him a bit earlier.

Is Bast the Best?

rjhike asks:

"Shane Bast, Better D Man or Goalie? Weak spot? 5 hole or glove side?"

Definitely better goalie. Bast skating out of net is like a raccoon driving a car....entertaining but not effective.

Trick question on the 2nd part. Everyone knows (or should know) that its definitely 5 Hole. Although his glove hand is nothing to bank on or brag about, most know that Shane's hip bones were fused at birth in a way that does not physically allow him to close his 5 Hole. Doctor's told his parents that he would never play goalie, but Shane was determined to prove everyone wrong. Many of us wish that he would have listened to the doctors.

The Hossa Curse

rjhike asks:

"The Hossa curse, will he take the Hawks down by November or December?"

Very good question to ask, as I'm sure many other uneducated hockey fans want to know as well. The answer is simply that there is no curse, and rather than "taking the Haw

ks down", he will take them all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals on his bionic, now repaired shoulders.

What people don't realize is that Hossa is a true superstar and in Pittsburgh, the like of Crosby & Malkin did not allow his greatness to shine. They didn't pass him the puck, they didn't talk to him on the bench, heck they didn't even let him eat with the team at dinner. After much inner soul searching, he made the tough choice to move on to Detroit where he felt that he would be appreciated more. Wrong again.

In Detroit, it was worse. Mr. Zetterberg may look like a nice guy on the outside, but we was the ring leader or the Anti-Hossa movement. Once again, Hossa was banished to a separate locker room to get dressed and not allowed to practice with the team. Even after begging the Wings management that he needed to take care of his injured shoulder, they just told him that he wouldn't be with the team the next year, so they didn't want it fixed.

Being the leader and athlete that he was, he still led Detroit in goals and took them all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Even after all that, the Wings still gave Hossa no respect and could not lend a supporting hand during the Penguins series.

Now that he found a team that allows him to get healthy, be the leader that they know he is, the others will regret it. It will be Hossa who gets the last laugh as he curses Detroit when the Blackhawks beat them this year to move on and beat the Pens in the Finals. I hope Crosby & Malkin like eating that pre-game steak dinner less Hossa, because it will be Marian drinking the champagne in the end.

What Do You Want to Know?

I don't have to explain to those hockey fanatics that this sport is the greatest ever played. It takes a certain person to appreciate the skill, athleticism & grace required to master such a difficult sport.

This being said, I still realize that even the most die-hard player or fan cannot know everything about hockey. This is where I come in.

Through my experiences as a hockey playing child up through my dominance in the Adult C League, I have come to know everything there is to know about this sport. My experiences and studies have earned me the following:

• Jedi status of hockey
• A PhD in NHL, AHL, OHL, USHL, NAHL, ECHL & QWERTYHL
• President of Intercontinental Hockey Association of Galactic Powers
• Top Advisor to 29 of the 30 NHL teams (lets see how far the Canucks get this year)
• World Air Hockey Champion (1986-Present)
• CTO - Hockey Hall of Fame (Chief Trivia Officer)

So now is your chance to get free advice, information or guidance on anything hockey. There is no reason to be embarrassed as others may have the same questions as you.

Enjoy.