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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Handcrafting a True goalie glove, close-up detail, TheHockeyShop.com goalie equipment

NEW TRUE Lefevre Goal: Launch details!

Embodying decades of design expertise for elite comfort and unparalleled performance, the handcrafted TRUE Hockey goalie collection has arrived. Here’s what we know so far…...

Chad Purdy
Bauer white hockey goalie mask with cage, shown on black background at TheHockeyShop.com

Bauer Profile 960 Goalie Mask

With the new flagship Profile mask, Bauer kept the iconic 960 look while incorporating a number of changes to the shell and liner bringing the...

Chad Purdy
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie in Bauer gear taping stick, hockey equipment by TheHockeyShop.com

Bauer Supreme UltraSonic Goal Stick Review

While on the surface the Ultrasonic stick may closely resemble its predecessor, Bauer has made several key changes to give this new Supreme stick a...

Chad Purdy
Close-up of Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic hockey skate boot with yellow and black accents at TheHockeyShop.com

Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic Goal Skates Review

From the time Bauer brought cowling-less goal skates to the crease, they’ve been the leading innovator in goal skates. This year they look to build...

Chad Purdy
Hockey goalie in full CCM gear with stick, pads, and helmet, posing on ice for The Hockey Shop

CCM Axis Goal Pads on-ice Review

To ring in the new decade, CCM brings us the all-new Axis line of equipment. This line not only waves goodbye to Premier but also...

Chad Purdy
CCM Super Tacks AS3 skate and goalie pad on ice, The Hockey Shop hockey equipment

CCM Tacks AS3 Pro Goal Skate Review

After releasing their first cowling-less skate last year, the Jetspeed FT2, CCM looks to further improve with the Tacks AS3 Pro goal skate. With a...

Chad Purdy
Bauer Supreme 3S goalie leg pads navy and white, hockey equipment at TheHockeyShop.com

Bauer Supreme 3S Leg Pad Review

Bauer is a hockey powerhouse and while they produce some of the best pro gear, including this year's UltraSonic line, they have also improved their...

Chad Purdy
Bauer Supreme 3S hockey goalie blocker in white and black, on black background

Bauer Supreme 3S Blocker and Trapper Review

Having already reviewed the UltraSonic series, let’s bring our focus to the Bauer Supreme 3S catch glove and blocker. At an impressive price-point, the 3S...

Chad Purdy
Brian's Optik 2 SR hockey goalie chest protector in black and red, worn by model

Brian's Optik 2 Chest Protector Review

 From the first time I tried it on, I knew Brian’s had a winner. Let’s take a closer look at what's changed from the original...

Chad Purdy
CCM Eflex5 goalie stick and pads in action on ice, hockey goalie blocking puck at TheHockeyShop.com rink.

CCM E-Flex 5 Goalie Stick Review

With the success of the E-Flex 4 stick under their belt, the redesigned E-Flex 5 brings innovation in construction methods and design while staying true...

Chad Purdy
Hockey goalie in CCM Axis gear on ice in front of net at TheHockeyShop.com rink

CCM Axis A1.9 Leg Pad Review

To ring in 2020, CCM introduces the new Axis line and moves away from Lefevre and the Premier line. Along with the Axis, CCM introduces...

Mike Ball
Hockey goalie in CCM Axis gear making a save on ice, TheHockeyShop.com branding visible.

CCM Axis 1.9 Blocker & Trapper Review

After taking the new A1.9 series from CCM out on the ice, read our take on the step down from the Pro level Axis model. The A1.9...

Mike Ball
Bauer UltraSonic black and white goalie leg pads, hockey equipment at TheHockeyShop.com

Bauer Ultrasonic Leg Pad First Look Review

New locked in knee block, new strapping top to bottom, adjusted flex profiles, and multiple new custom options. Check out our first look review from...

Mike Ball
Bauer Ultrasonic goalie blocker and trapper gloves in black and white, The Hockey Shop

Bauer Ultrasonic Catcher & Blocker First Look Review

A question that gets asked a lot in the goal equipment world is, how do you improve on a winning formula?  The Bauer 2S Pro...

Chad Purdy
CCM Axis goalie blocker with black, yellow, and silver design on ice at The Hockey Shop

CCM Axis Catcher & Blocker On-Ice Review

CCM brings us the all-new Axis catch glover and blocker. This new line brings in a ton of major improvements and features to bring out...

Chad Purdy
Brian's Optik 2 Pro SR goalie pads in white, black, and blue from The Hockey Shop

Brian's Optik 2 Pro Leg Pad Review

After the success of the original Optik series from 2017, this year Brian’s improves on much loved features while also borrowing technology from their recent...

Mike Ball
Brian's Optik 2 Pro SR white, black, and blue goalie catcher glove on white background

Brian's Optik 2 Pro Trapper/Blocker Review

Read our review of Brian's Optik 2 Pro trapper and blocker. If you were a fan of the original Optik, find out what changed and...

Mike Ball
Shoppers examining CCM goalie pads at The Hockey Shop event, with hockey equipment on display.

TENDYFEST 2019 RECAP

It was great day to be a goalie. You know what I mean if you were able to join us for this year’s TendyFest 4...

Chad Purdy
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