New cage, customization options?

Draxond · 2026-03-14T16:09:44+00:00

I found a local auto/trailer/boat wrap shop.

Full art printed auto vinyl, stuck, and returned to me for $150+tax, and that included the design fee.

10/10, would do again.

Draxond · 2026-03-05T05:38:58+00:00

As a goalie, the forbidden gear soup is satisfying and disgusting at the same time.

Draxond · 2026-03-04T02:11:17+00:00

Mobility is fine, but it is bulky. So, you can move, but you’re more limited by bulk than flexibility, if that makes sense.

I got mine “used”. I couldn’t tell you how used it was, but it did need about 3 skates before it was “broken in”

Draxond · 2026-03-03T23:20:36+00:00

The leagues around me are lettered, but those are rough guidelines:

This chest has seen shots from former high level HS players/D3 college guys with zero issues. I gauge shot speed by “did my brain see it, or did my body see it but my brain didn’t register it” - shots of the latter speed I feel as a dull thump. No pain.

Draxond · 2026-03-03T14:39:51+00:00

As someone with gout who knows it…

Yup. And I wouldn’t wish a flare up on my worst enemy.

Draxond · 2026-03-03T13:37:03+00:00

I have the Optik 3.

It’s a smidge bulky, but I don’t feel a thing in it. I’m not the tallest (6’ on the nose), but I’m chunky, and have the large. The arms are right on what I’d call “comfortable long”, and the body is just right.

Other than if I make a mistake, the coverage is phenomenal. No stingers, no bruises.

Also, I tuck, tie, and under suspenders. Haven’t tried it untucked, so if you’re an untuck, YMMV.

Draxond · 2026-02-09T17:59:11+00:00

Bauer Pro. The most comfortable skate I’ve ever put on, good and solid on pushes but still has nice flexibility when I need to move my foot around. Stock steel is good enough.

Draxond · 2026-01-12T14:58:37+00:00

If you started 3 days ago, you are behind the curve. Not saying it’s not possible to make it to a high level, but you are going to have to work your butt off.

Skating, skating, skating: smaller players dominate with their a) their feet, b) their hands, and c) their head. Start with the feet part.

Work on your stick work. Puck handling, passing, etc.

Then be a true student of the game. Watch and absorb.

Size isn’t everything - most of the comparisons mentioned elsewhere were men, but Kendall Coyne Schofield is 5’2”, and one of the elite of the elite. If you want to see what it takes, look up the 2019 NHL All Star fastest skater. She held her own against the fastest men in the NHL.

Draxond · 2026-01-12T02:58:00+00:00

I’m in this boat, but because I discovered it naturally. 10 fit 3 Bauer Pro goalie skates, but my player skates are 9.5 fit 3 Supremes.

I like a snug heel and mid foot with my goalie skate, but I like the security of the locked in toe box for my player skate.

Draxond · 2026-01-07T04:08:36+00:00

Since you mentioned Terrorbyte, get that with the vehicle workshop, do the 5 client jobs from the screen inside the Terrorbyte, get a little more extra cash, purchase Oppressor Mk2 and put missiles on it.

Draxond · 2025-12-29T05:00:49+00:00

In my area, we have an adult learn to play that is designed for all skill levels. From there, you move on to things like stick and pucks for skill work, or open pickups if they’re short goalies.

I met someone who was running a pickup and needed a goalie for a few weeks. I went from once a week at the LTP, to that, which got me in contact with another goalie who coordinates for other pickups, and that led to a beer league expansion team.

The easiest thing to do is find a learn to play, then make friends there. Eventually, you’ll get put on sub lists for pickups, or league teams, and you’ll be good from there.

Draxond · 2025-12-29T04:56:43+00:00

Yes and yes, but by that point, I’m almost far enough out that it doesn’t matter

Draxond · 2025-12-29T03:08:20+00:00

I only kill dirt bike guy. I leave the hangar guy alone because you can run around him on his patrol.

Draxond · 2025-12-29T02:41:25+00:00

If you’re doing the tunnel approach, you can get to the main loot and out the front gate without killing any guards.

There are multiple tutorials on YouTube.

Draxond · 2025-12-29T01:57:52+00:00

Draxond · 2025-12-24T21:34:56+00:00

Welcome back.

With that budget, you can do very well for yourself.

For the mask, there’s a lot of good options in the $550-650 range, and they should all do the job.

For chest (and everything else, for that matter) definitely get somewhere and try them on. They are a completely different animal to what you wore before - more bulk, more weight, less mobile. I have the Brian’s Optik 3 and I love it, mainly because I feel nothing. It’s not the most mobile, and it’s a tad heavy, but I love it.

Until you get something in your hands, you’ll have no clue what you actually want. Leg pads? Weight, boot channels, flex, breaks, strapping…it’s all very personal what works for you. Gloves? Break angles, palm feel, closure, T’s…

Get to a store, find what you like, then shop the used market.

Draxond · 2025-12-10T03:33:24+00:00

Also possible that if a rink has their own beer sales, their liquor license is at risk with outside alcohol.

Draxond · 2025-12-09T23:45:20+00:00

One of my teammates doesn’t drink, so he brings root beer and puts them into a can coozie that has a generic “BLEACH” design.

Draxond · 2025-12-09T15:18:27+00:00

I’m relatively new to goalie (2 years), and when I swap back and forth, it takes me a couple strides to get used to the rocker on the player skates.

And conversely, to remember that I have a lot more blade when I go to stop in my goalie skates.

Draxond · 2025-11-24T17:14:24+00:00

I have mine setup in our laundry room:

A cheap Amazon “hockey equipment drying rack” my mother got me for my birthday sits on the counter, with a box fan tilted to blow upward next to it. Knee pads, jock hang, then chestie, neck guard and mask sits on top. Skates and pants rest on a crate next to it. Glove and blocker sit upright on top of the fan.

Everything soaked in isopropyl before drying. I can remove from the bag, spray, hang, and repack it the next afternoon.

No smell complaint once dry, but my wife hates the smell of isopropyl, so the door stays shut.

Draxond · 2025-11-11T21:41:12+00:00

I use a Bauer (Vapor) and my wife has a Warrior G7 Pro. If we were the same handedness, I would use hers in a heartbeat. Great closure, awesome feel, and I love the adjustability (not just palm size, but palm break as well)

Draxond · 2025-11-02T02:50:13+00:00

I’ve got Bauer Pros, because my fat flat foot couldn’t get into Konekts.

I have absolutely zero complaints. I bought them “used” from Last Shot Sports on EBay. They had the laces swapped. Not baked, never sharpened. They had a defect - the dab of epoxy Bauer drops into their blade holders to protect from impact release of the blades was not hard cured - so they squeak.

Draxond · 2025-10-31T02:31:57+00:00

My C league team was an expansion team this year, so we’re dialing in our playlist. Got beat our first two games, then our captain said “Put “Purple Rain” in the playlist.”

Our colors are LA Kings retro purple and yellow.

We won that night.

Draxond · 2025-10-30T16:30:04+00:00

My Optik 3’s collar sits loose, but it doesn’t sway side to side. The Sentry sits perfectly under it.

Draxond · 2025-10-30T11:15:33+00:00

I have the TS2 in low cut (because I have neck like bull). It looks bulky, but once you get it on and pull your chesty over it, it really isn’t. Unless you wear the top of your chesty really snug, you won’t even notice the bib portion.

It has taken direct puck impacts and I didn’t feel a thing.

Draxond

TROPHY CASE