Bauer’s Quebec R&D division unveils ‘concept car’ of hockey pads
by CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
The equipment was developed after R&D was told to remove normal limitations from the process, such as materials, cost and ability to commercialize it
CHICAGO—Bauer Hockey, the world’s leading manufacturer of ice hockey equipment, today unveiled its BAUER OD1N hockey equipment.
The line took more than two years to develop and was designed for a select few of the world’s most elite-level athletes. Baur says those athletes are expected to begin wearing the new equipment this month and during international play in February.
The line includes a re-imagined hockey skate, a fully personalized protective body suit and an ultra lightweight, customized goal pad constructed with materials never before used in hockey. Each of the products was designed to provide a significant on-ice performance advantage that is scientifically proven.
“We challenged our Research, Design and Development team in St Jerome, Quebec to create the ‘concept car’ of hockey equipment,” said Kevin Davis, CEO and president of Bauer Performance Sports. “We asked them what if we took away all the limitations we normally have, like materials, cost and commercialization process and focused solely on creating equipment that can be scientifically proven to make players better. The team focused on this challenge for more than two years and the result is BAUER OD1N.”
The BAUER OD1N product was developed alongside some of the game’s best players, including Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Nic Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Claude Giroux and Henrik Lundqvist. All six players played instrumental roles in the development process and continue to work with the company to fine-tune the gear in advance of international competition in February.
“Today’s hockey equipment is already so good, that it’s tough to imagine that there is still another leap to take as far as technology, but that’s exactly what Bauer did,” said Jonathan Toews, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and Team Canada member. “As a hockey player, the last thing you want to do on the ice is worry about your equipment. With this new equipment, it’s not even an after-thought because you feel like you’re not wearing anything.”
The BAUER OD1N skate has the first ever fully composite holder. Measurable On-Ice Performance Benefit: a player saves more than 1,000 pounds of lifted weight over the course of a regulation hockey game. Other features of the skate include:
- Nearly a third less weight of previously lightest Bauer skate.
- Customized carbon composite blade holder increases energy transfer, gives players a quicker first step.
The BAUER OD1N Protective Body Suit is a two-piece base layer system with ultra lightweight exposed protective pieces. Measurable On-Ice Performance Benefit: In a 50-foot sprint (blue line-to-blue line), a player wearing the BAUER OD1N Protective Suit will cross the finish line nearly a foot sooner. Other features include:
- Cut of more than four pounds of overall weight
- Each suit is created using an optical body scan of the athlete for fully customized fit and protection.
- Two-piece base layer system integrated with shoulder pads, elbow pads and shin guards.
- Proprietary blend of composite material and high-end foams that can be machined to customize.
The BAUER OD1N Goal Pad is the first goal pad with an outer foam layer. Fully customized rebound control is tailored to the specific needs of the athlete. Measurable On-Ice Performance Benefit: a goalie can move from the goal line to the top of the crease an inch faster and is saved more than 180 pounds of lifted weight over the course of a regulation hockey game. Other features of the pad include:
- One-third reduction in overall pad weight.
- Customize rebound control by inserting different foams in strategic areas of the pad
- Outer pad shell comprised of one, seamless foam cover
BAUER OD1N derives from the word Odin, the Russian word for one and also the Norse god of battle, wisdom and learning.
Bauer Hockey expects to use several of the advanced technologies from the BAUER OD1N products in future consumer product launches.
Founded in Kitchener, Ont. in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. It is owned by Bauer Performance Sports Ltd., a public company.
