The CCM Blockade Pro Goalie Blocker is different, but is it revolutionary?
Written: Apr 02 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Light, Fast, good materials and craftsmanship
Cons: If you want a matching set, the leg pads are terrible
The Bottom Line: The Blockade Blocker is as outstanding as the leg pads are poorly designed. I highly recommend it.
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| puckmugger's Full Review: CCM Blockade Pro Goalie Blocker |
When CCM introduced its Blockades to the hockey community at the Las Vegas convention in 2003, it was the Blockade leg pads with no knee rolls that got the spot light. Only a goaltender would notice how different the gloves looked from the “normal” style. The leg pads were a good idea, but have serious design issues that make them ineffective. What about the blocker?
How is the Blockade Blocker different?
Traditional goalie blockers consist of a leather glove with a large cuff extending to cover not only the wrist, but the index finger and thumb side of the hand. The glove is attached to the blocker at the sides and has a foam pad at the back of the hand to absorb shock. The blocker itself is generally about 12” by 8” on the face and 1 ½” thick.
The last dimension is the first and most notable difference in the Blockade Blocker (read this review aloud and Blockade Blocker might eventually become a tongue twister). The Blockade’s blocker is only about ½” thick, about a third the thickness of a traditional blocker face. At fist glance this is the only difference. It appears to be a big difference that might compromise the safety of the goalie’s hand were he to attempt to use this blocker for its designed purpose.
Further examination reveals that the inner hand pads are a bit different as well. The wrist and hand protection on this glove is a bit more substantial in appearance to comparable brands. It is also more than just a hard piece of plastic wrapped in fabric. There is some actual padding there.
Lastly, when picking up the Blockade Blocker the first thing a goalie will notice, and probably mutter aloud, is, “this thing is light!” Far and away, this is the lightest blocker I have used.
How does it work on the ice?
I got the chance to use a demo set of Blockades shortly before they were available to the general public. If you’ve read my review on the leg pads, you’ll know I was quite disappointed in them. However, the gloves are outstanding. The Blockade blocker, as mentioned, is light and quick.
I found the glove to be very comfortable. The palm was right up there with the best player gloves for feel and suppleness. Looking at the very low profile of the blocker I wondered how I would feel about the glove once I took some hard shots off it though. It really looks like they forgot part of the glove and pucks are going to hurt.
In fact the opposite is true. The padding between the blocker and glove is outstanding. It absorbs the shock of even the hardest shots. A couple of the biggest guns I know put good licks on the Blockade Blocker and I didn’t feel a thing.
Surprisingly, the Blockade blocker is actually a bit more protective then the Velocity style blocker that I currently use. The finger guards are a bit better, but even more important, the padded inner hand and wrist cuff is amazing. I took a shot off the inside of my hand (not recommended as it is poor technique and hurts usually). Normally this stings; once it even split my hand open. With the Blockade I barely felt the shot. I was very impressed.
The lightness of the glove makes for lightning quick saves (assuming you don’t have a ten-pound goal stick). While the thin face might make for a few less lucky saves off a non-traditional shot-blocking surface, it is more than compensated by the quicker action of the lighter weight.
What about quality of materials and work
The blocker is faced with the new technoweave and synthetic leather. It will stand up to years of abuse. The glove is nash which is one of the most comfortable materials that is used in hockey gloves. Nash is much more resilient than leather and lasts quite a bit longer.
The quality of workmanship on the Blockade line is very high. While many pads are made in China lately, CCM has kept its manufacturing for the Blockades in Canada. This does result in a higher price, but the Canadian made products are substantially higher quality to date.
So should you buy one?
Well, I didn’t run out to get one, but that was mostly due to my adverse reaction to the leg pads. Call me picky but I like my stuff to match. However, if I were in the market for a pair of gloves, or just a blocker, the Blockade would be near the top of my list. Maybe the blocker isn’t as revolutionary a design as the leg pads, or even the trapper, but it is still an outstanding piece of gear.
The price isn’t cheap, but hey, that’s a goalie’s life. This glove is worth the cost.
© Scott Noble – Unauthorized use prohibited
A few of my other links that you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
CCM Blockade Trapper
CCM Blockade Goal Pads
Brian’s Demon Goal Pads
Battram Custom Goalie Equipment
© 2005 Scott Noble – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Thanks to openroad for adding this item so I could review it.
Recommended:
Yes
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