Pro's Corner: Be Tryout Ready
The current state of affairs threw a wrench in the traditional spring tryouts for many associations across the country. While no one knows exactly when we’ll be back on the ice – or what teams will be – you can still be tryout-ready for when that day comes. Here’s a few tips on how to make sure your gear is ready to go when the rinks open back up.
Helmet
When it comes to making sure your helmet is in good shape, here’s a few things to check:
Are there any loose screws or snaps or are there any broken buckles? Go around the helmet and tighten all the screws and buckle snaps. Ideally, this should be done a few times during the season as well. Broken buckles on the chin strap or face mask should be replaces to ensure a secure fit. Binnie’s Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair can assist in checking over your helmet, tightening all screws and snaps and replacing any broken or missing parts.
Are there any loose or missing pads? Often, pads falling out of the helmet can be an indicator of the pads drying out or improper storage (not letting the helmet dry after use) leading to the glue breaking down. If the pads are loose you can try to re-secure them with hot glue. This is typically only a temporary fix and you should consider getting a new helmet. Using other glue is not recommended as it can damage the shell of the helmet. Missing pads will also require getting a new helmet, except in the case of goalie masks. Many goal mask manufactures will sell replacement pads kits. Binnie’s Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair help re-secure or replace missing pads.
Pads
Are there any rips, cracks, or missing pieces? If the equipment is damaged, it may be repairable! Binnie’s Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair can repair or replace many stitched in parts including knee caps, Velcro straps, tears in soft padding, or re-stitch binding.
Gloves
Your gloves are an extension of you. To keep your hands as silky as possibly, you need to keep them in tip-top shape. Tears and holes can leads to less protection and reduced performance. In some cases, tears or holes in the palm of gloves can be repaired or the entire palm replaces. Binnie’s Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair is your go-to for repairing and/or replacing glove palms on nearly all gloves to keep them good as new!
Skate Sharpening
It’s very important to have the right sharpening. This blog has covered the importance of using the proper hollow on your skates. But what about timing? You want to make sure your skate sharpening is right before you touch the ice for tryouts. If at all possible, have your skates sharpened a week or two before tryouts, then get in a public skate to see how they feel. If they aren’t right, you have a chance to get them corrected.
Thinking about trying a new profile or hollow? Wait till after tryouts; new hollows and profiles can take some getting used to. Go to tryouts with what you know or are comfortable with so you can perform at your best right now.
Have new skates? While it is generally recommended to not be breaking in brand new skates at tryouts, it’s sometimes inevitable. To try to give you the best advantage, take your skates to Binnie’s Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair to have the new steel profiled and sharpened to match your old skates as best possible.
Binnie’s Skate Sharpening is your Pittsburgh based skate sharpening and equipment repair pro. Binnie’s can repair or replace many equipment issues that arise and offers both drop-off and mail-in options. Have a question about your gear or ready to get your gear repaired?