>Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 10:09:04 -0500 >From: "Sawicky, Charles x96828b3" <[log in to unmask]>. >Subject: illegal sticks >I think all this talk about illegal sticks can be related to the >problem that the NHL had with oversized goalie equipment. It is not >the players (in most cases) that are making their sticks illegal. >The manufacturers of the equipment just make over curved sticks so a >player could unknowingly play with an illegal stick. One time before >a scrimmage, one of the refs measured some of our sticks "for fun" >and most of them were illegal and they were sticks that we got from >our supplier. I do not think you can blame players for it, like I >said, in most cases. Also, as a player, I think that it is really a >cheap move if a coach tries to catch a player with an illegal stick >since a lot of people have them. It really does not make a >difference anyway. Like a lot of people have said, there is that >"non-verbal agreement" between players as well as coaches not to even >worry about it, but in the heat of competition, you have to take >advantage of what ever you can. It is college hockey. >chuck sawicky Let me speak on behalf of all the equipment reps out there(as some of you out there know I spent nearly three years as an equipment rep). Not one single manufacturer sets out to make an illegal stick! If a player is purchasing an illegal stick it is because he is requesting it be made that way or he is purchasing the pattern/stick of someone who requested it made that way. Sitting in the bleachers I can tell an illegal stick just by the model number. Goalie equipment for college pro players is custom made and the majority leaves the factory illegal( how many of us know goalies with their own sewing kits for "alterations"??), by request. I know of several instances where goalies have said they would change manufacturers if their pads were not made to certain(illegal) specs. Additionally many sticks are of an illegal length(think of a certain very tall future hall of famer with a bad back and a penguin on his chest) ps Chuck, Army's reps are related to the coach HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.