Sunday, March 6, 2016

ACHILLES® Cut-Resistant Socks

 Jordan Larson (wearing our ACHILLES® socks)
of the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
 at the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.

On March 1, 2016  Jordan Larson of the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) had an opposing players skate go down the back side of his leg and across his Achilles tendon. Jordan was wearing our ACHILLES® cut-resistant socks .  “Tonight a skate went down the back of my skate and the sock didn't cut and overall saved me from cutting my Achilles.” Our ACHILLES® socks saved him from a serious Achilles tendon injury that could have possibly been career ending! See Jordan’s testimonial: http://www.hoganhockey.com/testimonials


Accidents like this happen all the time in hockey. These near misses go mainly unnoticed at hockey’s lower tiers as well as the grass roots level. They are not publicized to the extent a high profile cut/laceration in the Pros would be. Therefore, the issue of protecting yourself before an accidental cut happens is not forefront in the minds of young players and parents alike. This is why we would like to see all players especially at the grass roots level, wearing some type of cut-resistant protection to help prevent any skate blade laceration.

Hogan Hockey was the first company (2010) to offer a full line of ACHILLES® cut-resistant protection for hockey players. We wanted to have hockey players protected, from the grass roots level to the Pro players to help prevent skate blade lacerations.


Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products have come a long way since  we first introduced them. Our gear is increasingly becoming  more accepted as a practical part of a player(s) everyday equipment. We are constantly looking at ways to make the products better. Hogan Hockey ACHILLES®products will not hinder performance as they are no different than wearing any other traditional gear, except for the simple fact that we offer cut-resistant protection to help prevent skate blade lacerations.

Our goal when we first started out and our goal still is today, to help all hockey players prevent skate blade injuries before they happen! As you can see by Jordan’s story, we have helped prevent one of those injuries!! To date our products have helped prevent numerous injuries to players at all levels of hockey.

One incident that comes to mind that could have been prevented was in 2012/13 when Eric Wellwood of the Adirondack Phatoms career was cut short at twenty-three years old because of an accidental skate cut that was also life threatening.
** Pictured with Jordan Larson is Nolan Ross of the Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) who also wears our ACHILLES® cut-resistant socks as well as his twin brother Davis Ross who was on the 2014/15 RBC Cup Champions Portage Terriers (MJHL).

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Hogan Hockey XH Series Achilles® Cut-Resistant Protection For Goalies

UPDATE

 **Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant baselayer underwear. Worn by the Pros. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com


 ***ACHILLES® cut-resistant socks, hybrid socks, underwear & wrist guards "the equipment has received clearance from the NHL for use in NHL games"

Goalies could use cut-resistant protection too!

We've seen it time and time again. It's the goalmouth scramble. The overzealous forwards rushing in for their split-second chance for glory. With hearts pumping, tensions rising... bodies bumping, blades, sticks and players collide. Defenders resisting at all cost, there's little room for error.

One last jab towards the goalie frees the puck and with lightning speed he dives for it, leaving him sprawled out prone to the ice. The defense begin leveling players with precision and at this point he becomes vulnerable. With bodies and skate blades flying the potential for serious injury just got bigger.

This scenario is played out numerous times throughout the hockey season. The goalmouth scramble naturally lends itself to a higher amount of players playing within a more confined space on the ice. The heightened sense of urgency and aggressive play during the scramble can potentially put those in proximity at risk to being cut by a skate blade.

  Play Smart....Protect yourself from CUTS!!

  

XH Series ACHILLES® cut-resistant underwear has been designed for goalies, but may also be worn by any player wanting more protection from skate cuts. 

 

ACHILLES® cut-resistant goalie underwear
click to enlarge
List Price: CAD $99.99
CAD $99.99


  • ACHILLES® cut-resistant goalie/player underwear, “the equipment has received clearance from the NHL for use in NHL games.” 
  • XH Series ACHILLES® cut-resistant underwear has been designed for goalies, but may also be worn by any player.
  • Underwear has HPPE high performance cut-resistant fiber panels on the unprotected areas of the player's legs providing greater overall protection from skate blade lacerations.
  • Can also be worn with our ACHILLES® cut-resistant skate socks for maximum protection to the Achilles tendon and calf muscle.
  • Compression fit with elastic waist band and draw string and hook and loop tabs to hold up socks.
  • The base layer is made from 80% nylon & 20% spandex for moisture management and cut-resistant panels.
  • Underwear comes with the Hogan Hockey™ & ACHILLES® logo on each thigh.
  • For proper fit, click on size chart before ordering.
  • Contact us for special pricing if your Hockey Association is considering to either recommend or mandate the wearing of cut-resistant products.

       **Team/association discounts available**

 

All Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products are cut-resistant and not cut-proof, they are intended to be worn for hockey only. Read the safety warnings accompanied with all products before using.


    ACHILLES® Cut-resistant goalie/player underwear with HPPE "I've been using the Achilles Cut-Resistant Goalie Underweat for a month now, it's flawless! The underwear provides me the same quality (flexibility and breathability) I used to know with my other spandex pants, but with even more protection. When I watch the back of my leg with the pads on, I can see that my leg is very well protected, and I feel safe when it's time to play. I hope to never find out if they could save me from an injury, but I am sure that if that was the case, they would. I won't wear anything else by now and I recommand that product for every goaltender. The customer service was awesome. As I live in Europe, everything was made to help me from the beginning with my questions to the end with the delivery. I couldn't be more happy about it! Thank you for a great product and for an awesome service!"
   Kevin Schaller, Geneva, Switzerland.

 "Coming into my first year of pro, I spent the off-season taking care of all of the smallest details, on and off the ice to prepare myself best. What I failed to realize at the time is that one freak incident can take all of your hard work and mental preparation and in one instant take away a season and possibly your career. I have already seen the after effects of two incidents already this season, both wrist and Achilles. I am thankful that after the first I spent what is ultimately an insignificant cost for piece of mind and safety on the ice and I would not step foot on the ice again without my Hogan Hockey Kevlar® compression pants."(XH SERIES ACHILLES® Goalie/Player Underwear) 
 Rob Madore - Goaltender - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) Florida Everblades (ECHL)


"I started using the XH Series ACHILLES Cut-Resistant Goalie Underwear and Socks in 2010. There is no sacrifice for the right protection. And with the way the game is played nowadays, you need to be protected against skate cuts from goal mouth scrums and forwards driving the net. Hogan Hockey's products have given me the piece of mind to maintain the aggressive style of play that allows me to be successful. I am no longer worried about sticking my legs into high traffic areas where skate cuts most often occur. Out of the box, the underwear and socks were the most comfortable I've ever worn. In two seasons, the ACHILLES® products have saved me from injury on a number of occasions. They have offered me the level of protection, comfort, and performance that I needed to help me excel at the collegiate level. I wouldn't wear anything else. I recommend all goaltenders do the same."
 Kenny Reiter 2011-12 National Champion Goaltender University of Minnesota-Duluth


 "I've had our goaltenders wear Hogan Hockey protective underwear and socks ever since one of our former Bulldog goaltenders, Alex Stalock, nearly had his career cut short due to a laceration to the back of his leg during an A.H.L. game three seasons ago. Every goalie in our program has worn the protective underwear since the injury to Alex and with no complaints! The underwear isn't heavy and it wicks away sweat like any other performance underwear along with protecting them in those highly prone, exposed areas of the legs. It gives the player a "piece of mind" that those exposed areas are always protected!"
 Chris Garner, Equipment Manager, University Minnesota Duluth 2011 NCAA National Champions


 "The Hogan Hockey ACHILLES®  underwear provide the same level of flexibility and breathability as my old spandex pants. With Hogan Hockey products I'm much more protected from the threat of being cut, it's my first and final line of trusted defense."
 Cody Reichard Former goaltender Miami Redhawks University of Miami (Ohio)


 "I've been using the product for the last couple of weeks here at Shattuck and have really enjoyed the comfort of it. It is keeping my legs dry and it is keeping them cool at the same time. It also is giving me a peace of mind of not getting cut while playing goal."
 M. Loveday. Goalie at Shattuck St. Mary's


Friday, March 4, 2016

Skate Blade Cut, Achilles Injury...From Surgery To Stitches And Rehab

UPDATE 

**Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant sock. Worn by the Pros. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com

 

 ***ACHILLES® cut-resistant socks, hybrid socks, underwear & wrist guards "the equipment has received clearance from the NHL for use in NHL games"



This is a hockey player's story of being cut by a skate blade severing his achilles tendon. Taking you through his experience, from the cut to rehab along with the ambulance, surgery and his thought process throughout, leading to a new found appreciation for cut-resistant  hockey products like our Achilles® cut-resistant skate socks and never playing unprotected again.

“I would consider myself a good hockey player with years of experience.  So, I was surprised when I suddenly blew out my skate and fell into the boards.  It all happened so quickly that I had no time to react. Falling feet first,  my left skate caught right in between my right skate guard and calf.  So much for ankle protection!!!

Next thing I know, I'm getting up off of the ice and I feel a weird sensation in my foot, as if I just stepped into a pot of boiling water. I look down and see the largest cut I've ever experienced bleeding badly into my hockey skate. You could see bone, muscle and tendon; it was not a pretty sight. I'm quickly taken into an ambulance and the entire ride I'm going over what happened. How could this EVER happened to me?  I've skated for so many years and these injuries just do not happen. WRONG. I finally understood that it was a freak accident and if I wasn't wearing ankle socks, I could have avoided the injury.

It was embarrassing but also terrifying. The same question ran through my head “will I ever play sports again?'' After 2 hours in surgery and 18 stitches later I get to speak to my doctor. He says I'll be out for 6 months. 6 MONTHS! Four weeks on crutches and then slow and painful rehab for 5 months to get all of the motion back.  Even during rehab, walking is going to be hard and painful. He mentioned that there can be complications if I don't follow his instructions like permanent limps, ankle stiffness etc.

However, he said I was lucky because I still have feeling in my foot and didn't cause any severe nerve damage. So, I'm sitting in my hospital bed playing the whole event in my head and realize that none of this would have happened if I had better protection. If I knew such an injury could have occurred, I would be wearing better socks just like I wear the rest of my pads. This entire event illustrated the importance of ankle and calf protection and IF I can play hockey again I will never play without better protection. EVER.”

D. Baryudin , Canada

 PS. "I'm glad you take the time to really get to know your audience. People know these things happen but they never expect it to happen to them!  I know I didn't. Now all of my friends are wary too.  I cannot imagine ever playing hockey again without better protection."

Skate blade cuts are real and can be very serious. Hogan Hockey wants you to be protected from these types of injuries BEFORE they can happen. Our ACHILLES® cut-resistant skate socks have been protecting players at all levels of hockey since 2010. By wearing  these innovative cut-resistant hockey products, you can help to reduce or minimize the effects of skate blade injuries before they can happen!

  For secure online purchasing or more info visit (hoganhockey.com)

 Play Smart....Protect yourself from CUTS!!


  All Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products are cut-resistant and not cut-proof, they are intended to be worn for hockey only.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Protection From Skate Blade Cuts

"There Should Be No Excuses!"

 

UPDATE

 **Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant sock. Worn by the Pros. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com
 ***ACHILLES® cut-resistant socks, hybrid socks, underwear & wrist guards "the equipment has received clearance from the NHL for use in NHL games"

We are finding that for some, making the switch to cut-resistant skate socks or wrist guards can be difficult. Some may be accustomed to "not" wearing socks at all in their skates, while many have never worn wrist protection ever. Still others may have superstitions, and the stubborn ones just don’t want change. It's a personal choice for each individual. In speaking with hockey players who have been cut, we are hearing the same thing over and over "there should be no excuses!". These players are now wearing the protection and have become advocates for cut-resistant skate socks and wrist guards.

The following four bullet points may help you to make the switch:

  •  Skate blade cuts to the vulnerable areas do happen and can be very serious!

  •  Wearing protection can help to minimize the severity of a skate blade laceration injury or the damage sustained !

  •  Simply put, wearing the ACHILLES® cut-resistant skate socks and wrist guards provide relatively inexpensive added insurance.

  •  "There should be no excuses!".

With the increased interest in these innovative products you may be doing research to find what is right for you. There are far too many regurgitated blind blanket statements out there like "it's hot and cumbersome", these are not the rule. As with any other product not all are created equal.  Product testimonials may be a good starting point in which to find credible information. Our testimonials speak for themselves.

  • ACHILLES® Cut-resistant socks with HPPE "Just wanted to let you know just how great your socks are. Tonight a skate went down the back of my skate and the sock didn't cut and overall saved me from cutting my Achilles. Thanks so much for the socks over the years!"
          Jordan Larson, Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) RBC runner's up 2013/14 & 2014/15                                                              
  •    ACHILLES® Cut-resistant goalie/player underwear with HPPE "I've been using the Achilles Cut-Resistant Goalie Underweat for a month now, it's flawless! The underwear provides me the same quality (flexibility and breathability) I used to know with my other spandex pants, but with even more protection. When I watch the back of my leg with the pads on, I can see that my leg is very well protected, and I feel safe when it's time to play. I hope to never find out if they could save me from an injury, but I am sure that if that was the case, they would. I won't wear anything else by now and I recommand that product for every goaltender. The customer service was awesome. As I live in Europe, everything was made to help me from the beginning with my questions to the end with the delivery. I couldn't be more happy about it! Thank you for a great product and for an awesome service!"
          Kevin Schaller, Geneva, Switzerland.


"I used them all summer and can't think of anything negative about them"     Craig, Vancouver, BC

"I started wearing the Hogan Hockey Achilles skate socks a few years ago and I love them!"   Haley Irwin 2010 Winter Games gold medalist (ice hockey)

"there is no other sock I would wear than Hogan Hockey's cut resistant Achilles sock. "  Travis Zajac
          National League Player
          2012 Cup Finalist, New Jersey

"All hockey players should be wearing these products for the simple fact that they offer added protection from skate cuts."
          Former NHLer Tom Pederson & President of  www.greenbiscuit.com

"Out of the box, the underwear and socks were the most comfortable I've ever worn."    Kenny Reiter
        2011-12 National Champion Goaltender
        University of Minnesota-Duluth


More Achilles® testimonials can be found here on the Testimonials page

 If you need further information about our ACHILLES® cut-resistant hockey products please contact us through this link (Contact Us) page

All Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products are cut-resistant and not cut-proof, they are intended to be worn for hockey only. Read the safety warnings accompanied with all products before using.                                               


Play Smart....Protect yourself from CUTS!!


College Hockey Player Suffers Serious Skate Blade Cut Injury

The following, is from a college player who has taken the time to write about his skate blade cut  injury in order to show you just how serious  and dangerous skate lacerations can be.

My name is Stephen Servideo and I currently am finishing up my junior year and playing hockey at Connecticut College in New London, CT. Last season in December I was seriously injured in a game after being cut in the back of my left knee with a skate after checking someone against the boards by the bench. After being hit, the opposing players' legs were just about parallel to the ice as the hit lifted him over the boards which were only about waste high. His skate kicked forward after I hit him and severed the popliteal artery, the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles and several sensory nerves and veins in my leg.

I was lucky that two of my teammates fathers' were doctors and immediately came over, cut all of my bottom equipment off and wrapped my leg in a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. It was a very serious injury as I lost about 1/3 of my blood and had to have surgery immediately after being taken to the emergency room to repair everything in my leg. I underwent serious rehab for many months leading up to this years season to get things back to normal. Even today I still feel the injury as it is in such an crucial spot at the back of the knee and was so severe. There is still a lot of scar tissue left from the injury making it tough to bend, lift and exercise but I have progressed a lot since the injury. Being able to play this year was a major accomplishment for myself as many people doubted that I would ever be able to play in another game again.

I have made extraordinary progress on and off the ice as far as strengthening my leg and getting things up to par so that I can participate in everything I was able to before the injury occurred. Since the skate severed many sensory nerves in my leg, I do not have any feeling from the knee down in my left leg. It is something that I have gotten use to since the injury and I guess if it was to cut any nerves it is better to cut sensory which controls touch, versus motor which controls movement. It is crazy to think that a hit that I have made so many times throughout my hockey career could have resulted in this injury.

I have been beginning to notice more and more injuries involving skate blade lacerations occurring in all different levels of hockey. These skate lacerations are extremely dangerous and I think it is great that you have developed such products to help protect players from being seriously injured. These lacerations are not accidents and are becoming one of the most dangerous injuries in sports. By educating people on my injury I would hope that they realize the dangers of skate lacerations and that they will use companies such as yours (Hogan Hockey) to protect vulnerable areas on the body that are not covered by equipment.


Not many people think these injuries can happen to them but after going through such a serious injury, it is definitely not a risk anyone should take. These injuries are so serious that they can be fatal and it is not worth taking the risk when products such as yours exist. I have attached an image of the laceration which required 15 sutures across the back of my knee.  To view: see Skate blade lacerations page

Steve Servideo 
 UPDATE
**Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant gear. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com

http://www.hoganhockey.com/gearThe XH Series Achilles® Skate Sock, Hybrid Sock(footles), Wrist Guards, Goalie/Player Underwear, and Referee Shin Tights are being worn by hockey players from the grass roots level on up to the Pro's. Providing the added benefits of cut-resistant  cut protection and peace of mind .

Hogan Hockey has been providing players with cut-resistant protection options since 2010.

 All Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products are cut-resistant and not cut-proof, they are intended to be worn for hockey only.


                                           Play Smart....Protect yourself from CUTS!!

 For secure online purchasing or more info,  visit (hoganhockey.com)


EMAIL: info@hoganhockey.com

            
EMAIL: wingmansports@rogers.com

                                  

Friday, January 1, 2016

A Parent's Guide to Cut-Resistant Skate Socks

 UPDATE

**Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant sock. Worn by the Pros. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com

 

ACHILLES® cut-resistant skate socks, “the equipment has received clearance from the NHL for use in NHL games.”

 

What are cut-resistant skate socks?

 

Cut-resistant skate socks are protective socks that can be made from a variety of highly cut-resistant materials, blended with a mix of supporting materials to enhance the socks stability (shape retention, comfort), breathability (moisture wicking material) as well a host of other materials specific to each brand. The socks provide additional protection from accidental skate blade cut injuries to the Achilles tendon and calf area. Protection may vary from brand to brand and will be dependent on individual brand manufacturing, composition, as well as sock length.
 

Who needs cut-resistant skate socks?

 

Although they are not yet mandated by hockey governing bodies, any child/player who plays the game of hockey is potentially at risk from being accidentally cut by a skate blade. These cuts can range from being minor to devastating. Any time a child/player is left exposed there should be concern. With today's skates being more rigid, including the back tendon guard, the Achilles tendon and surrounding area can be left vulnerable. Skate blade lacerations to the Achilles tendon can be very serious and do occur at all levels. Therefore, anyone who plays the game should at the least be considering these cut-resistant skate socks for added protection.

Are they really necessary?

Accidental skate blade cuts in hockey do happen. Our approach has been to educate you to the facts that these cuts can be very serious, and that there is protection available.  Many parents are just now hearing about cut-resistant hockey protection after Erik Karlsson's severed Achilles tendon became headline news. While others (see My son's injury) have already seen the devastation of serious skate blade injuries and just how catastrophic they can be.  At this time, wearing cut-resistant gear is a matter of  individual choice It should not take serious injuries like those of  Christian's or Erik's, or even worse....a fatality before cut-resistant skate socks and other products are looked at as a preventative measure.

Hogan Hockey has been a pioneer in the development of cut-resistant hockey products. We are particularly concerned for your safety and have developed cut-resistant hockey products for players, goalies and referees.




UPDATE
**Introducing our second generation ACHILLES® cut-resistant sock. Worn by the Pros. For information please contact Wingman Sports 1-289-231-1021 / 1-905-716-7227 or email: wingmansports@rogers.com

ACHILLES® Cut-Resistant Skate Sock


  • ACHILLES® skate socks are made with a high performance cut-resistant HPPE fiber which provides protection from skate blade lacerations.
  • High performance cut-resistant fibers pull heat away from the body.
  • Mesh zone on top of the foot gives added ventilation combined with a non-obtrusive toe seam for maximum comfort.
  • Naturally anti-microbial.
  • Sock color is white & black with our ACHILLES® and Hogan Hockey™ logos, plus the size stitched into every sock for easy pairing when laundering.
  • Sock sizing is based on shoe size.
CUT-RESISTANT PROTECTION for hockey is what we do!! 







All Hogan Hockey ACHILLES® products are cut-resistant and not cut-proof, they are intended to be worn for hockey only.


Play Smart....Protect yourself from CUTS!



Be sure to stay tuned to Hogan Hockey for more firsts in cut-resistant hockey innovations.