The Hockey Shop

Top Shelf: A Hockey Blog

Gear reviews, sizing guides, and everything else you need to play your best — from the team at North America's hockey superstore.

Hockey player putting the RE-AKT 155 helmet
LatestPlayer

Bauer RE-AKT 155 Helmet Breakdown and Review

Take on the toughest impacts with the Bauer RE-AKT 155 hockey helmet. We’ll check out the specs, initial feel, and whether this helmet is...

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Graphic of the Project X Glitch stick
Player

TRUE Project X Glitch Player Stick Breakdown and Review

The TRUE Project X Glitch stick takes a new approach—one focused on deception and misdirection. We’ll check out the specs, what this stick can...

Purple graphic of the Glitch goalie stick
Goalie

TRUE Project X Glitch Goalie Stick Breakdown and Review

Alongside TRUE’s new Glitch hockey stick is the TRUE Project X Glitch goalie stick, built for unparalleled speed and reactions on every shot and...

Macklin Celebrini shooting with a Tacks Recharge Pro stick
Player

CCM Tacks Recharge Pro Stick Breakdown and Review

CCM has released the highly anticipated Tacks Recharge Pro hockey stick, built for players who like to take control of the play and really...

two female hockey players with Cabin Fever apparel and gear
Goalie

Warrior Limited Edition Cabin Fever Hockey Collection Review

Featuring a ton of retro graphics, Easter eggs, and nods to both the upcoming winter season with some fall and Halloween flair, you won’t...

Taylor Fox shooting with the VIZION stick with the caption "LIGHT_YEARS_AHEAD" above
Player

CCM VIZION 2026 Stick Breakdown and Review

The VIZION’s looking a bit different this 2026 season. We’ll check out the specs, the new tech, and then determine if this stick is...

Visual of the Warrior Alpha LX3 Pro glove
Player

Warrior Alpha LX3 Pro Glove Breakdown and Review

Get ready to lock in and dominate with the Warrior Alpha LX3 Pro glove. Let’s look at the specs, then decide whether this glove...

Close-up of the Covert QR7 Pro logo on the top of the stick
Player

Warrior Covert QR7 Pro Stick Breakdown and Review

Warrior saved its biggest drop for the end of last season: a new generation of Covert sticks, built for the 2026 season. We’re going...

Kids playing with Mystery Minis
Goalie

Every Bauer Mystery Minis Colour for 2026: Balls, Sticks, and Goal

We’ve got a brand-new hockey season coming up, which also means brand-new Mystery Mini hockey sticks from Bauer. This one’s for all the collectors...

Hockey player at his dressing room stall prepping mentally for his upcoming hockey game
Guide

Back-to-Hockey Checklist 2026: What Actually Needs Replacing

Now that we’re nearing the end of summer, it’s Back-to-Hockey season, which means shaking out your legs—and your hockey gear.

Project X Storm official graphic
Player

TRUE Project X Storm Hockey Stick Breakdown and Review

TRUE’s Project X Storm hockey stick is touted as one of the smartest in the world—and we’ll see soon exactly why that is. As...

Bauer Vapor FLYLITE skate
Player

Bauer Vapor FLYLITE Skates Breakdown and Review

The Vapor skate line has been upgraded with the new FLYLITEs, featuring plenty of reworks and refinements throughout. We’ll take a detailed look at...

Cale Makar using a Supreme FUSE stick
Player

Bauer Supreme Fuse Hockey Stick Breakdown and Review

The Supreme has made a comeback—now with the combined tech and design of both the original Supreme line and the now-retired Nexus line. Let’s...

Megan Keller with a Pulse 2 hockey stick
Player

Bauer Pulse2 Hockey Stick Breakdown and Review

Bauer returns for round two with the Bauer PULSE2 hockey stick. This time around, it sports a sleeker purple look with newly refined features—it's...

Bauer PROTO2 graphic with text: STRIKE FROM THE SHADOWS / STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT
Player

Bauer Proto2 Hockey Stick Review and Breakdown

The PROTO² has been generating buzz since its release. Let’s take a closer look at its features to help you decide if it’s the...

Macklin Celebrini shooting with the XF Ghost stick
Player

CCM Tacks XF Ghost Hockey Stick Review

With input from the game's top players, the XF Ghost is built to deliver elite-level performance across the board. We’ll break down its key...

Sidney Crosby  with a Ribcor Trigger Unleashed Pro stick, with caption: QUICK RELEASE: Pure Class
Player

CCM Ribcor Trigger Unleashed Pro Hockey Stick Review

Meet the Ribcor Trigger Unleashed Pro hockey stick, CCM’s newest top-end model in the Trigger series. We’ll take a closer look at the Unleashed’s...

creative graphic of the CODE Photon hockey stick
Player

Sherwood CODE Photon Hockey Stick Review

In time for the 2026-27 season, Sherwood has unveiled a new addition to the CODE family: the CODE Photon. In this review, we’ll take...

Hilary Knight tying her Supreme FUSE skate laces
Player

Bauer Supreme FUSE Hockey Skate Full In-Depth Review

It’s been a few months since the Supreme FUSE skate hit the shelves, long enough to prove itself a formidable option on the ice...

buttons with LGBTQ+ flags on them
History

Pride Month: Inclusive Hockey Programs and Leagues in Canada

June is Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledging the battles they have fought to be heard, seen, and respected (a...

Hockey players putting on the Vapor FLY-W shin guards
Player

Bauer Vapor FLY-W and FLY-G Hockey Protectives Review

To some, it may seem over the top, but to others, it’s necessary. This year, Bauer has launched their own collection of protective women’s...

Connor McDavid in his stance with the CCM Jetspeed FT9 Pro hockey stick
Player

A Close-Up Look and Review of CCM's Jetspeed FT9 Pro Hockey Stick

The Jetspeed FT9 is the next level in CCM’s hybrid kick point line. We’ll take a look at how CCM has elevated one of...

a hockey player skating on the ice
Guide

The Effect of Travel and Time Zones on Hockey Teams

The travel aspect of hockey can be challenging. Not only are you on the road for multiple hours straight, but bus and plane legs...

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov faceoff Heated Rivalry poster
History

From the Screen to the Ice: The Cultural Impact of Heated Rivalry

Can Heated Rivalry’s cultural impact translate to real-world change? As the series implies, will it be a true game changer? In this article, we’ll...

Vancouver Goldeneyes scoreboard
History

The Vancouver Goldeneyes and Women's Hockey in the West

The expansion of the league to the west and the Goldeneyes being the first to have a designated rink of their own marks another...