[Noir]

As the title states, which shops do you prefer based solely on quality? (not convenience of location)

So I've tried the following:

Canlan North Van Rink
Burnaby 8 Rinks Pro-shop
Hockey Shop (Surrey)
Cyclone Taylors (Vancouver)
Sport Check

It's wierd, I would say, I've received awesome quality work on my skates on all of the above locations (except SportCheck). The main problem I find is the frequency of quality work I receive. Sometimes I get a good sharpen, sometimes I don't. I've come to conclude that quality work does not depend on the shop, but the shop employee currently working at the time.

In that respect, I would say I received the most frequent quality work from Canlan North Van Rink.

So, where do you guys get yours done?

[Gh0stRider]

I get mine done at 8 Rinks and they always do a good job.

[Hondaracer]

hockey shop.

[murd0c]

hockey shop with a deep cut

[E N D L E S S S]

I usually get mine done at the burnaby 8-rinks, not trying to be sexist or anything but when the girl that works there does them... she gives them back and they feel just as sharp (dull) as before. so I agree that it depends on the employee on shift as to whether you get a good sharpen or not.

I was looking at the canadian tire website, and apparently the location on marine and byrne offer skate sharpening?? I never knew this, so I obviously havent tried them yet but I guess its a place to try...

[shishkabobo]

i use the morning weekday guy at 8-rinks (GIL)

[Alphamale]

In that respect, I would say I received the most frequent quality work from Canlan North Van Rink.

So, where do you guys get yours done?

Seriously? I had mine done there once..and IT SUCKED DICK. I could not skate properly for like the first 2 periods.

Hockey Shop, imo, is hands down the best.

CT is okay. I find that they sharpen it well but sub-par to the quality I receive @ THS.

[punkwax]

Hockey Shop FTW. Better before they were bought by Source though.

Rocked Rod in GPF is good too.

[wc19]

usually do cyclones the job is decent but I've heard many times that the north van canlan one is awesome

[Noir]

Interesting. Some conflicting opinions on North Van & Burnaby 8.

Anyways, In regards to the Hockey Shop which I've tried quite a few times. Great sharpen but I find that sometimes they tend to take too much steel off.

[RayBot]

The hockey shop for me....and its worth the drive from richmond.

[mickz]

Best one I go to is Cyclones on Oak if Tobi is the tech that day. I find he's the most consistent. Never been to The Hockey Shop for sharpenings just because it's too far.

[SR604]

I like goin to cyclone taylor cause its close to home

[SR604]

Dont ever go to sports chek they cant sharpen for shit. I bought a pair once and when they sharpened it they nicked up the chassis

[SR604]

btw toby at cyclone is a nice guy he found the right 2pc set up for me and it was great.

[RayBot]

Dont ever go to sports chek they cant sharpen for shit. I bought a pair once and when they sharpened it they nicked up the chassis

Yeah...thats the thing about Sport Check, at least when i got my skates sharpened there once or twice.

The people that sharpens skates there are Ski-Techs, where thats their primary training....and if someone wants their skates sharpened, they're trained to do that as well to the bare minimum.

[the_rickster]

sports exchange on burrard

[beetea]

cyclones.......................................... ...................:thumbsup:

[RayBot]

cyclones.......................................... ...................:thumbsup:


Never going to CYCLONE'S ever again!!

Last time i went there, some dude with no neck sold me a pair of ice skates, and both the blades fell off. And when i went back to tell him what happened, he told me to fuck off and the figure skating shop was across the street!

[RayBot]

I'm just kidding...cyclones have always treated me and my skates wells.

[Gumby]

I'm just kidding...cyclones have always treated me and my skates wells.
Woah, you scared me for a sec there... :(

[RayBot]

Woah, you scared me for a sec there... :(


If that scared you...wait till you see the guy with no neck!

[blkgsr]

8 rinks...the main guy (40's ish)...been there forever, does a great shop.....haven't been there in a while cause i play at planet ice coq now

Planet Ice Coq, rocket rod's or what ever it's called...had them do them a few times, the young guy has done a good job

also i get a deep cut which most guys can't do well

[skiiipi]

if you got a good sharpen
figure out who was the tech
and only get it done by him or her

everybody has their own way of sharpening skates
and some do a better job than others

in additoin the machine/stone they use make a big difference

shops that are stingy (a lot of rink side pro shops) will use a harder stone like ruby or pink that last a long time but does not produce a very smooth cut

shops who use soft stones like black or dark blue, as long as the guy who is doing it is not a total noob, the result of the sharpen will come out better than shops w/ shittier stones

most sportcheks use a hard stone, so when noobs are using it, the sharpen is very choopy and inconsistant, all the stores that i've worked at, I only sharpen using black stones, which are softer and provide better sharpens

[mako]

I usually get mine done at the burnaby 8-rinks, not trying to be sexist or anything but when the girl that works there does them... she gives them back and they feel just as sharp (dull) as before. so I agree that it depends on the employee on shift as to whether you get a good sharpen or not.


hahahah my buddy was telling me about her just this weekend, she really messed up his skates

[rsx10]

i have had my skates done only at cyclone since i bought them, however i see that the chasis is all marked up, not just a little but major. i thought it was just the way i skated being new to ice hockey but i had friends watch me skate and they see nothing wrong. but now i suspect that it might be due to a cheaper skate....before i thought that's what happens when they sharpen skates but my friends skates are perfect....i know it too late to complain and i am buying new skates and going to watch next time but what do you guys say?

oh i get them done at cyclone in richmond

[SumAznGuy]

How are you guys defining a good sharpen?

There are 3 things to remember about skate sharpening.
1) different people do it differently. People who do not specialize in hockey ie Sport Check will do the basic skate sharpening just like those automated skate sharpening machines.
2) What do you like? The standard cut, deep cut, blade profiling.
3) how much effort the person puts into the sharpen.

Find someone who does it well for you, and stick with that person. The last guy I used, use to work at Sportmart, but he was the first guy that asked me about my skating style and recommended a deeper cut. Too bad he quit that minimum wage job.
My current skates were done at THS and I like it a lot. I need them sharpened again, and I was thinking of trying Mainland Athletics on Nanimo and Broadway.

[blkgsr]

i have had my skates done only at cyclone since i bought them, however i see that the chasis is all marked up, not just a little but major. i thought it was just the way i skated being new to ice hockey but i had friends watch me skate and they see nothing wrong. but now i suspect that it might be due to a cheaper skate....before i thought that's what happens when they sharpen skates but my friends skates are perfect....i know it too late to complain and i am buying new skates and going to watch next time but what do you guys say?

oh i get them done at cyclone in richmond

you're buying new skates because your lasts one got marked up??

you obviously don't play hockey, this is just for open free skating?

[the_rickster]

most "good" techs have been trained by the company that makes the machine used by the shop.... and most shops use blademaster.

the multiplicity effect runs rampant in this industry, so chances are if they weren't trained by the tech reps, they suck.

if you want to know who the best tech in the shop is, ask who was trained most recently. if they look at you like you're an idiot, they are the idiots.

[beetea]

Tobi - cyclone taylor - oak street

and all those dudes at the ice center.

[ed_pow_rs]

I find Hockey Shop to be the best so far but Cyclone Taylor in Coquitlam or Ice Levels are not bad too.

[rsx10]

the reason why i'm getting new skates is becasue i got a very cheap pair and i want to get a better one like the one90 or one95, now that i'm better at ice skating and the fact that the skates are so badly damaged they seem like the chasis could break

and i am a good hockey player

[blkgsr]

the reason why i'm getting new skates is becasue i got a very cheap pair and i want to get a better one like the one90 or one95, now that i'm better at ice skating and the fact that the skates are so badly damaged they seem like the chasis could break

and i am a good hockey player

well if the boots are of a lower quality fine

you know you can get new chassis put on right? exactly how damaged are these things??? all from getting the stakes sharpened?? post some pics?



good as in you can put a slap shot top corner from the blue line or good that you can make a pass without falling over?

[True.True]

holy fuck, i was needing a sharpen, and i was in the area and went to 8rinks and the chick sharpened my skates. i could not slice my wrists if i tried. not impressed and never going back haha

[mako]

holy fuck, i was needing a sharpen, and i was in the area and went to 8rinks and the chick sharpened my skates. i could not slice my wrists if i tried. not impressed and never going back haha

thats 3 people on this thread now that have suffered at her hands

[mickz]

the reason why i'm getting new skates is becasue i got a very cheap pair and i want to get a better one like the one90 or one95, now that i'm better at ice skating and the fact that the skates are so badly damaged they seem like the chasis could break

and i am a good hockey player

Stay away from the ONE90 skates. There's too many problems with the boot and the stock LS2Power Holders.

[rsx10]

getting a new chasis would cost $140, why not spend that money on a better skate overall. thanks for the head up mickz...still thinking...maybe the one75, nikebauer xxv.
right now i have the nikebauer xvi. any suggestions?

i'll post some pics and see what you guys think

i am a good player and can hit that corner, i played in tier 1 in coast, and 3 in ice604,

[Willinder]

what's the difference between deep and regular cut?

[mickz]

what's the difference between deep and regular cut?

Regular cut = overall control and speed
Shallow cut = more speed but sacrificing control
Deep cut = more control but sacrificing speed

It's all a preference to the skater.

Edit: had it backwards.

[riccof]

Just change the blades.. T-Blades..

[SumAznGuy]

i am a good player and can hit that corner, i played in tier 1 in coast, and 3 in ice604,

Depending on whether you played summer or winter, but from what I have seen, Ice604 itier 1 is no where near as good as tier 1 ASHL or Coast.
And Winter hockey is better than summer.

That being said, how many years of hockey have you played? Any special training like power skating or hockey camp?
When did you start playing hockey?
How often do you play/skate?

[E N D L E S S S]

so i got my skates sharpened a few days ago at the burnaby 8-rinks again, but this time by the 40ish year old guy who wears glasses (i think someone mentioned him before) ... he did an awesome job. they were 10x better than when the girl did them... which almost makes me wonder if she even did them at all!! lol

[True.True]

so i got my skates sharpened a few days ago at the burnaby 8-rinks again, but this time by the 40ish year old guy who wears glasses (i think someone mentioned him before) ... he did an awesome job. they were 10x better than when the girl did them... which almost makes me wonder if she even did them at all!! lol

she does them so quick, i put them on the counter, turned around to look at a few sticks and the turned back around and bam!! all done WTF!F!!!!!

[rsx10]

Depending on whether you played summer or winter, but from what I have seen, Ice604 itier 1 is no where near as good as tier 1 ASHL or Coast.
And Winter hockey is better than summer.

That being said, how many years of hockey have you played? Any special training like power skating or hockey camp?
When did you start playing hockey?
How often do you play/skate?

well ice604 and coast are quite different, coast is so much better but i find that
coast is full of big angry white guys with refs that don't call shit, where ice604 has a good refs but seems like the asians/whites can't control there temper and seems to fight more here - the fact that ice604 doesn;t fine guys doesn't help

i've played roller and floor hockey all my life, but just started ice a year and a half ago. no special training yet

right now i play 2-3 times a week with 3 teams

[mickz]

ASHL is bullshit because there are too many guys in the lower tiers that think they are superstars.. I played this past summer and the refs tend to lose control of the game. One game I got threats from the other team to "break my teeth" and when they tried to carry it out I had to defend myself and fight this big Mexican who couldn't skate.

Another game I got a flying elbow in the face out of no where after the whistle and I had to leave the ice because I wouldn't stop bleeding. Those who have played with me know I am not a dirty player.

edit: sorry for going off topic with my vent.

[SumAznGuy]

well ice604 and coast are quite different, coast is so much better but i find that
coast is full of big angry white guys with refs that don't call shit, where ice604 has a good refs but seems like the asians/whites can't control there temper and seems to fight more here - the fact that ice604 doesn;t fine guys doesn't help

i've played roller and floor hockey all my life, but just started ice a year and a half ago. no special training yet

right now i play 2-3 times a week with 3 teams

Coast and ASHL has a lot of talented players in the higher tiers. I find Ice604 doesn't quite compare in this category.
As for superstars in lower tiers, everyone thinks they are the next great one, that and a lot of good players just want to play with their friends so they play lower tiers.

Personally, I am getting fed up with the lower tiers because that is what it is. Full of guys who can't skate and don't pass the puck.
Guess I better start looking for next season for a better team to play for. :mad:

RSX10, sounds like you don't need the highend skates, but if you have the money for them by all means. Just try them all on and see which ones fit your feet the best. When I was in the market for skates this season, I wanted to get a set of RBK pumps, but when I tried them on my heel would move around quite a bit. I ended up getting a pair of CCM Vibes which weren't that cheap but they feel really good on my feet and they are not that heavy and I can maintain my skating for the entire game.

[SumAznGuy]

ASHL is bullshit because there are too many guys in the lower tiers that think they are superstars.. I played this past summer and the refs tend to lose control of the game. One game I got threats from the other team to "break my teeth" and when they tried to carry it out I had to defend myself and fight this big Mexican who couldn't skate.

Another game I got a flying elbow in the face out of no where after the whistle and I had to leave the ice because I wouldn't stop bleeding. Those who have played with me know I am not a dirty player.

edit: sorry for going off topic with my vent.

I have that complaint about all leagues I've played in. For one, I light to pull up the sleeves on my jersey so the cuff is around the elbow pad, which in turn means I expose some of the elbow pad. In ASHL and Ice604, I've had refs tell me to pull down the jersey sleeve as it is a form of intimation to show my elbow pads and they would give me a penalty for it.
Last I checked, there was no such penalty in the rule book. :confused:

[rsx10]

trust me i don't want to spend $600-700 on skates, but i'll see what works..
any suggestions??

what league you play for SUMAZNGUY?

Coast and ASHL has a lot of talented players in the higher tiers. I find Ice604 doesn't quite compare in this category.
As for superstars in lower tiers, everyone thinks they are the next great one, that and a lot of good players just want to play with their friends so they play lower tiers.

Personally, I am getting fed up with the lower tiers because that is what it is. Full of guys who can't skate and don't pass the puck.
Guess I better start looking for next season for a better team to play for. :mad:

RSX10, sounds like you don't need the highend skates, but if you have the money for them by all means. Just try them all on and see which ones fit your feet the best. When I was in the market for skates this season, I wanted to get a set of RBK pumps, but when I tried them on my heel would move around quite a bit. I ended up getting a pair of CCM Vibes which weren't that cheap but they feel really good on my feet and they are not that heavy and I can maintain my skating for the entire game.

[SumAznGuy]

Right now, I am playing Tier 5 in Ice604. I played 1 game in tier 9 in Coast against a "should be in tier 7 or 8" team and had way more fun.
I also play sunday nights at BWC.

I know I posted this in the Canucks thread, but I am playing this saturday night with some Canucks alumni. I'm thinking I wanna drop the gloves with Kirk McLean. Heehee.

[mickz]

I have that complaint about all leagues I've played in. For one, I light to pull up the sleeves on my jersey so the cuff is around the elbow pad, which in turn means I expose some of the elbow pad. In ASHL and Ice604, I've had refs tell me to pull down the jersey sleeve as it is a form of intimation to show my elbow pads and they would give me a penalty for it.
Last I checked, there was no such penalty in the rule book. :confused:

I've seen guys get equipment penalties for not doing up their pant zippers or not wearing their chin strap but this is the first I've heard of someone being told they couldn't expose the elbow pad.

I pull up the sleeves on my jersey too but I never got a warning about doing so in ASHL. Whatever's not in the rulebook is up to the ref's discretion I guess.

[Alphamale]

Right now, I am playing Tier 5 in Ice604. I played 1 game in tier 9 in Coast against a "should be in tier 7 or 8" team and had way more fun.
I also play sunday nights at BWC.

I know I posted this in the Canucks thread, but I am playing this saturday night with some Canucks alumni. I'm thinking I wanna drop the gloves with Kirk McLean. Heehee.

Yo, what team do you plan on in Tier 5?

[SumAznGuy]

Yo, what team do you plan on in Tier 5?

That depends. Are you hitting on me?

Cubz.

[rsx10]

hey i was the captain on that team before i got traded to the bruins lol

[Alphamale]

That depends. Are you hitting on me?

Cubz.

How did I guess that...haha.

We're rival teams. And by "rival" I mean....our teams don't play nice. Can you guess which team I'm on?

[SumAznGuy]

RSX!0, this is my first season with them.

Alph. Again my first season, so I assume Killer bunnies. If not then Master bladers is the only other team I can think of.

[Alphamale]

^I am disappointed with your choices.

Haha, I play on SPH Sharks.

[Noir]

^I am disappointed with your choices.

Haha, I play on SPH Sharks.

Nice. Played you guys when I was with Cubz a couple of weeks ago. You guys have a pretty good team. Capitals inspired Jerseys are nice too.

SumAznGuy.

I'm playing you Sunday. :D

[shishkabobo]

^ watch out for Alpha
he has been suspended for a bench brawl! :P

he was also our primetime sniper during the playoffs this summer

[Alphamale]

^LOLWUT? Who are you?

[SumAznGuy]

Nice. Played you guys when I was with Cubz a couple of weeks ago. You guys have a pretty good team. Capitals inspired Jerseys are nice too.

SumAznGuy.

I'm playing you Sunday. :D

Should I bring chocolate for our first date? ;)

Alph. Sharks hmmmm..... That was a weaksauce game. Boooo!!!!!

[m3thods]

Regular cut = overall control and speed
Deep cut = more speed but sacrificing control
Shallow cut = more control but sacrificing speed

It's all a preference to the skater.

I think you have it mixed up. A shallower hollow (e.g. 5/8ths, 1") gives you more glide speed at the expense of being able to cut into the ice. Shallower hollows reduce friction thus you go faster. But it will feel like 1-3 skates after a 1/2" sharpen.

A deeper hollow (e.g. 3/8ths, 1/4) will dig in substantially, increasing friction. Most places avoid these hollows since most people don't have the force to use these effectively (i.e. stop without catching too much ice and doing a faceplant). 1/4" is taboo pretty much.

Being a shorter heavier player (5'7 170) I find that 5/8" is my happy place. Otherwise like Mickz noted its all PP.


As for sharpenings, I find Cyclone Coquitlam and THS are just as good. I go to Cyclone because its 2 mins away, but both are excellent.

From what I hear though, Larry's in N Van is the best hands down. This was apparently the case when my dad played 15 years ago, and the majority of people that I play with in league and drop in (~30 people) swear by him and travel across the water to get it done there. Personally I have yet to try it out.

[beetea]

5/8ths ftw :)

[mickz]

I think you have it mixed up. A shallower hollow (e.g. 5/8ths, 1") gives you more glide speed at the expense of being able to cut into the ice. Shallower hollows reduce friction thus you go faster. But it will feel like 1-3 skates after a 1/2" sharpen.

A deeper hollow (e.g. 3/8ths, 1/4) will dig in substantially, increasing friction. Most places avoid these hollows since most people don't have the force to use these effectively (i.e. stop without catching too much ice and doing a faceplant). 1/4" is taboo pretty much.

Being a shorter heavier player (5'7 170) I find that 5/8" is my happy place. Otherwise like Mickz noted its all PP.


As for sharpenings, I find Cyclone Coquitlam and THS are just as good. I go to Cyclone because its 2 mins away, but both are excellent.

From what I hear though, Larry's in N Van is the best hands down. This was apparently the case when my dad played 15 years ago, and the majority of people that I play with in league and drop in (~30 people) swear by him and travel across the water to get it done there. Personally I have yet to try it out.

Shit, I had it backwards. Thanks for the correction.

[AzNightmare]

wtf, didn't some of you guys joined in on the newbie pickup game on Sat night? LOL.
you guys are pros.

Now tell me how much does it cost to sharpen skates? And when you buy skates from stores, do they come pre-sharpened or do I have to pay extra for that?

[SumAznGuy]

wtf, didn't some of you guys joined in on the newbie pickup game on Sat night? LOL.
you guys are pros.

Now tell me how much does it cost to sharpen skates? And when you buy skates from stores, do they come pre-sharpened or do I have to pay extra for that?

Sharpening is around $5-7 for player skates.
You can always get the pre-paid skate sharpen stamp cars. THS is $15 for 5 sharpens. Or a few other places offer $50 for all you can sharpen for X amount of time.

Brand new skates are not pre-sharpened, but most places will sharpen them for you when you buy it from them.

[the_rickster]

i have never paid more than $5.50

almost all shops will sharpen the skates as a courtesy when purchased.

[Noir]

wtf, didn't some of you guys joined in on the newbie pickup game on Sat night? LOL.
you guys are pros.

Sometimes, it's just all about getting as much ice-time as possible. For some people, playing once or twice a week is not enough.

Mind you, Ice604 and most other leagues generally gets a player a game per week. Meaning a general team that has 3 lines of forwards & defense must split 60 minutes of playing time equally. That being said, you're pretty much only playing for 20 minutes per game and if you play only once a week, you're only playing 20 minutes of hockey per week. Definitely not enough for some.

Now tell me how much does it cost to sharpen skates? And when you buy skates from stores, do they come pre-sharpened or do I have to pay extra for that?

All Hockey Shops will sharpen skates upon purchase. The Hockey Shop, Cyclone Taylors, Larry's Sports. Not sure if the same can be said for franchise sports stores like Sport Mart or Sport Check, but as discussed on this thread, you wouldn't want them to be doing it anyways. They'll just fuck up your steel.

[The Hype]

Not sure if the same can be said for franchise sports stores like Sport Mart or Sport Check, but as discussed on this thread, you wouldn't want them to be doing it anyways. They'll just fuck up your steel.

That all depends on who's doing the sharpening. I work for Sport Mart and I have guys who will only come see me for their skates. If I'm not there, they won't let anyone else do it. I won't argue that some technicians just don't care, or don't have the proper training (one tech from the Coquitlam store did every kind of skate with a 1/2" radius!!), but there are those of us out there who do take the time and effort to do it properly, because it reflects on us, not the store!

[Gumby]

That all depends on who's doing the sharpening. I work for Sport Mart and I have guys who will only come see me for their skates. If I'm not there, they won't let anyone else do it. I won't argue that some technicians just don't care, or don't have the proper training (one tech from the Coquitlam store did every kind of skate with a 1/2" radius!!), but there are those of us out there who do take the time and effort to do it properly, because it reflects on us, not the store!
It's nice to see you have pride in your work. :thumbsup:

And yes, places like Sport Mart, Sportchek etc. do provide a complimentary sharpening when you buy new skates (cuz I've purchased skates from them before).

[m3thods]

I won't argue that some technicians just don't care, or don't have the proper training (one tech from the Coquitlam store did every kind of skate with a 1/2" radius!!), but there are those of us out there who do take the time and effort to do it properly, because it reflects on us, not the store!

LOL the guy probably meant hollow, otherwise you'd be skating on the surface thats the equivalent of a quarter :eek:.

It's pretty standard though to do 1/2" hollows at most sharpening stores unless you specify a specific one. It's the most neutral one. :thumbsup: If you're talking about Cyclones in Coquitlam, I can vouch that they do more than just 1/2".

[The Hype]

LOL the guy probably meant hollow, otherwise you'd be skating on the surface thats the equivalent of a quarter :eek:.

It's pretty standard though to do 1/2" hollows at most sharpening stores unless you specify a specific one. It's the most neutral one. :thumbsup: If you're talking about Cyclones in Coquitlam, I can vouch that they do more than just 1/2".

Hollow, radius, whatever. I wasn't just referring to hockey skates though, the guy would put a 1/2" hollow on hockey skates, figure skates, goalie skates, you name it! Which is retarded because the blades on those skates are thicker, and doesn't exactly serve either discipline very well. And it was Coquitlam Sport Mart, not Cyclone...I'd trust a hockey shop would know what they were doing.

[AzNightmare]

Well I'm probably gonna be purchasing skates today. I'll need them sharpened either today evening or tomorrow, early in the morning so I can stick and puck. The Hype, are you working then? and which one do you work at? Or any places to recommend?

I'm new at ice hockey though, so I'm not sure what you guys mean by bad skate sharpens. I've only used rental skates for most of my life... lol. I'm most likely going to buy skates from sportmart or sportchek, so should I let them sharpen my skate? And if they do a bad sharpen, would it be okay to get them sharpened again by someone better or will sharpening the blades again after it has just been sharpen be bad?

[SumAznGuy]

Depending on how strong of a skater you are.
As long as they put on some edge, you probably won't notice the difference.
For me, I can tell when they do a shitty job sharpening my skates as it affects turning, and start/stops.

You can always get it resharpened if you are not happy with the initial job, but it just means they might have to grind off some extra metal from the blade to fix the mistake.

[Wykydtron]

I used to work at an independent sports store in Langley. We sharpened skates. Only people I would trust to do it, had been playing hockey since they could walk. Too bad that they were always the busiest people in the store. I never did it. I was trained to do it, but I just didn't have the touch to do it, plus my eyes weren't good enough to properly see the edge of the blade. We didn't use the automated machine, did it by hand. People would come from Vancouver area just for Ryan to sharpen their skates:p

[babas]

Hockey Shop is great. I go with 5/8" and it's good no matter who sharpens it

[ChaKo]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666746

[6thGear.]

i find ice level in richmond does it best for me. that tim hortons commercial guys younger brother does it for me. he's great. he even told me THS did my contour sharpening wrong, especially for my size and the way i play. i tried THS, both cyclones and 8rinks. but ice level suits my skating the best. i would say 8rinks is 2nd, but i haven't played at 8rinks for awhile.

i played tier 1 in ice604 for 2 winters. it doesn't even break single digits divs in ashl. as for coast..i dunno, its my first time in coast this year.

**sumaznguy* i agree with you about being fed up playing in lower tiers. they just don't seem to know how to play ice hockey. sure they can skate and pass and shit, but when it comes to postional play they're all over the ice. theres 10 guys on the ice and yet they seem to think they can weave and deke out 5-6 guys and score but lose the puck halfway. i'm in no means a good player. meybe intermediate on a good day, but at least i know how to play roller and ice differently.

[AzNightmare]

Are those underarmor, dri-fit stuff worth it?

I happen to have an old underarmor shirt I bought a few years ago. But it was loose fit style. But I'm thinking of buying a skin-tight one. Does these shirts have to be really skin tight in order for them to be effective in taking the sweat away?

Or should I just use my loose fit underarmor?

[mako]

i find the tight ones work pretty well for me

they dont absorb the moisture and they dry quickly

[mickz]

Loose and tight are just personal preference. Myself, I wouldn't spend like $50 on an UA shirt but if I see a Dri-Fit on sale for cheap I'll pick it up.

I've played with regular cotton tees, no shirt at all and Dri-Fits. I don't notice the difference when I'm playing but I am alot drier when I take off all my gear while wearing a Dri-Fit.

[6thGear.]

any lycra shirt will do. doesnt have to have 'Under Armour" printed on the shirt to work. all of my lycra shirts are all nike dry-fit that i bought on sale. the most i paid was like $15. i bought a couple at the nike store down at premium outlets for like $5 each. although, i think putting them in the dryer decreases the effectiveness over time. i don't think your supposed to stick them in the dryer, but im too lazy to read the tag and/or hang dry them. lol

[mickz]

any lycra shirt will do. doesnt have to have 'Under Armour" printed on the shirt to work. all of my lycra shirts are all nike dry-fit that i bought on sale. the most i paid was like $15. i bought a couple at the nike store down at premium outlets for like $5 each. although, i think putting them in the dryer decreases the effectiveness over time. i don't think your supposed to stick them in the dryer, but im too lazy to read the tag and/or hang dry them. lol

It doesn't have to be Under Armor specifically but I own Nike Dri-Fits and no name ones I bought from Winners. The Winners one was $12-$13 and the Dri-Fit I bought on sale locally for $22-$23 and the differences I find are in the cut of the shirt. The cheap ones don't fit as well but they still get the job done. And a cosmetic thing, the graphics (inside and out) of the cheap shirts come off really easily. My Nike ones still look like they're new. Again, that's a cosmetic thing and it won't bother everybody who buys a shirt.

[AzNightmare]

Currently, I bought a Shock Doctor underwear/jock that has the dry-fit material.

Besides the one UA loose fit shirt I got, which was too pricey, I've only stuck with dry-fits or climalites. Maybe I'll check out some shirts at Winners.

I guess my real question is if the loose fit or skin tight make a difference, since the loose fit might trap sweat between the skin and clothes but if it's skin tight, the sweat seeps through the clothing better?

[raygunpk]

Does anybody wear the full leggings? It claims to help blood flow in the legs but does it actually do this?

[Noir]

Currently, I bought a Shock Doctor underwear/jock that has the dry-fit material.

Besides the one UA loose fit shirt I got, which was too pricey, I've only stuck with dry-fits or climalites. Maybe I'll check out some shirts at Winners.

I guess my real question is if the loose fit or skin tight make a difference, since the loose fit might trap sweat between the skin and clothes but if it's skin tight, the sweat seeps through the clothing better?

I prefer skin tight under apparels underneath my hockey gear. The idea is that the your base layer is so skin tight that its supposed to feel as if you weren't wearing any extra layer at all. Loose fitting base layers can get a bit uncomfortable as they can bunch up in areas where you tighten your hockey gear straps as well as they may tend to bunch up in your joints as you continue playing. (This may, or may not happen)

However, no matter which route you go, in the end, you'll get used to whatever you chose anyways. In my experience, I'd say get a full upper and lower base layer for the primary reason of sweat management. You want that sweat to be absorbed by your base layer and not your hockey gear, unless you want to be that "certain" guy in the locker room with his own brand of funk smell.

That being said, UA or Nike Dri-fits work well but are not neccessary. Like 6th Gear says, any lycra undergarments found at winners, walmart or superstore will work just as fine.

Does anybody wear the full leggings? It claims to help blood flow in the legs but does it actually do this?

I wear full leggings. I've played without them at times I forgot to pack them in my hockey bag. I swear I wouldn't notice the difference.

[AzNightmare]

Well I guess it's too late for me now. I just bought the boxer underwear jock combo.
So I won't have long leggings. I'll look for a long sleeve though at The Winners before Saturday's newbie drop in game.

Hey Noir, did you say you go to the newbie pick up games on Saturday? (from the other thread)
I'm gonna be there this Saturday. My very first ice hockey game and 2nd time skating with a hockey stick and puck. It's gonna be great!! lol

[6thGear.]

oh its ok. those work well too. i use the under armour shorts one. at the time they were the only one's that had that type of shorts.and plus i only got it cause my ex worked at sport chek

[m3thods]

Does anybody wear the full leggings? It claims to help blood flow in the legs but does it actually do this?

i wear them. pp imo ive forgotten them as well and was uncomfortable. mustve been my sensitive skin ;)

ive heard that claim as well but i dont think its true. they would have to be like wetsuit tight to make sure that blood doesnt pool in the legs or to keep the muscles tight.

[AzNightmare]

I'm gonna go sharpen my skates at Cyclone Taylors on Oak Street.
Anyone know which day and time does Tobi work?

[mako]

which ones Tobi?

[suprasian]

i just tried mainland on sunday and they do a great job. im going there from now on. nice people, stores a little small but they had decent gear there

[beetea]

tobi works tuesday to sat
but often our schedule fluctuates

oh and advice, the dudes that sharpen in the back get hammered. tons of skates, tons of customers. be nice to the sharpener, and the sharpener will be nice to you.

[macatacz]

i got my skates done at mainland athletics and i plan to take my skates there again in the future.

[Noir]

Where is Mainland Athletics? Need to try too.

I'm currently sharpening @ Larry's Sports and boy is it disappointing, and I prepaid for 7 more sharpenings :(.

Don't get me wrong, the work is top notch, I can vouch for it. But the turn around rate is slow. They rarely every do a drop in & wait job. They usually require you drop your skates off and pick it up at another date. Which sucks if you don't live around the neighborhood or if you play on a regular basis.

[Alphamale]

Just a word of advice. If you do go to Mainland and the dude isn't there, don't let his wife do the sharpening, lol. She does a half decent job, but no where near how well he can do it.

[tyauzer1]

Dont ever go to sports chek they cant sharpen for shit.
QFT

I go to Cyclone on Oak and 49th.

[AzNightmare]

Is the Cyclone Taylor in Richmond any good?
I was gonna go to the one on Oak but tomorrow I'm gonna be by the richmond area instead. How's that place?

[RayBot]

No complaints at Richmond...Dan and the other guy that runs the shop do great.

[triadik]

Cyclone on Oak & 49th

[mickz]

Anybody have comments on Time Out Source For Sports in North Van? I didn't know this place existed until I drove by. I didn't go in but by the looks of their website they carry equipment other than hockey as well.