Top Shelf: A Hockey Blog

The Hockey Shop's latest blogs and articles featuring reviews of the most sought after hockey and goalie equipment. Detailed guides on the basics of hockey, and updates on current events in the world of hockey.

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Vaughn Ventus hockey goalie pads, blocker, and glove in net at The Hockey Shop

Vaughn Ventus SLR Pro Carbon Blocker & Trapper Review

New for 2017 are the Vaughn SLR Pro Carbon blocker and trapper. Building off a successful Ventus LT98 series, Vaughn made some small tweaks and...

Chad Purdy
Bauer Vapor hockey goalie trapper and blocker set, white with blue and orange design, on white background.

2017 Bauer Vapor 1X Blocker & Catcher

New for 2017, the Bauer Vapor 1X blocker and trapper combine a traditional and comfortable feel with a new approach to making goalie equipment. You...

Chad Purdy
Bauer hockey goalie blocker with blue and orange accents, featured at TheHockeyShop.com

2017 Bauer VAPOR 1X OD1N Leg Pads Review

Following in the footsteps of the Supreme 1S, the new Bauer Vapor 1X leg pads are constructed with the same OD1N technology. Bauer’s Reactor goal...

Chad Purdy
Warrior RGT Pro goalie pads in red and white at The Hockey Shop, hockey equipment store

Warrior Ritual GT Pro Leg Pad Review

The new Warrior Ritual GT leg pads are designed to be softer than the Ritual G3s, catering to goalies that prefer a traditional feeling pad....

Chad Purdy
Hockey goalie wearing Warrior blocker and catcher on ice, The Hockey Shop gear visible

Warrior Ritual GT Pro Blocker and Trapper

The new Warrior Ritual GT Pro blocker and trapper are made with a super lightweight construction and high-quality materials, for fast hands and pro-level performance....

Chad Purdy
The Hockey Shop Tendyfest banner promoting ultimate goalie demo day event

Recap of TENDYFEST 2016

Check out recap of the 2016 TENDYFEST Ultimate Goalie Demo Day as we get ready to launch the 2nd annual event for 2017. ...

Chad Purdy
Close-up of a TRUE carbon fiber hockey stick blade with blue accents on dark background.

True XC9 ACF Stick Review 2017

The first thing I noticed when testing out the new XC9 ACF is that this is as close to a wood feel blade for a...

Chad Purdy
CCM Tacks 710 black hockey helmet with chin strap, sold at The Hockey Shop

CCM Tacks 710 Helmet First Look

The upcoming CCM Tacks 710 player’s helmet is CCM’s update to the Resistance line of helmets. Drawing from the protective materials and philosophies found throughout...

Chad Purdy
CCM Super Tacks hockey protective gear including shoulder pads, shin guards, gloves, and pants at The Hockey Shop

CCM Super Tacks Protective First Look

CCM’s new iteration of protective equipment, the Super Tacks line, comes in this year as one of the premiere protective ranges on the market. Building...

Chad Purdy
CCM white hockey goalie mask with metal cage from The Hockey Shop

2017 CCM Pro Goalie Mask

Inspired by the Lefevre family Pro mask, the second generation CCM Pro goalie mask combines an authentic Lefevre design with new technology for top performance....

Chad Purdy
CCM goalie hockey stick blade close-up on white background, The Hockey Shop gear

CCM Extreme Flex III Goal Stick Series

The new E-Flex III stick is the result of CCM working closely with their NHL goalies. This close relationship between the company and its players...

Chad Purdy
Close-up of CCM QLT hockey shin guards worn in a locker room at The Hockey Shop

CCM Dek and Ball Hockey Equipment Review

CCM has recently launched their own foray into Dek and Ball Hockey-specific equipment, producing a wide range of products that can fill the needs of...

Chad Purdy
CCM Extreme Flex III goalie blocker with red trim, featured by The Hockey Shop

CCM Extreme Flex 3 Blocker Review

CCM and Lefevre continue to design great gloves, year after year. While the mantra is “a blocker is a blocker,” the blocker is the most...

Chad Purdy
CCM E-Flex 3 goalie leg pads in red, blue, and white, from TheHockeyShop.com selection

CCM Extreme Flex 3 Leg Pads Review

When it comes to goalie equipment, CCM is the model of consistency. Every year, both their pros and their aspiring pros know the type of...

Chad Purdy
CCM Premier black and yellow hockey goalie chest protector and pants, TheHockeyShop.com equipment

CCM Premier Chest and Pants

This April 2017, CCM will be releasing the second version of its CCM Premier chest & arm protector. With an extensive use of D3O® Smart...

Chad Purdy
CCM Extreme Flex III white and red hockey goalie trapper glove close-up from TheHockeyShop.com

CCM Extreme Flex 3 Trapper Review

A new double-T pocket to never lose sight of the puck. A new NHL season is upon us, and with that comes new equipment being...

Chad Purdy
CCM JetSpeed FT1 hockey skate with black, red, and silver design on white background

CCM Jetspeed FT1 Hockey Skates Review

CCM is due to release their Jetspeed FT1 skate on April 28, 2017, and we got a first look at the successor to the highly...

Chad Purdy
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