Cutshield Hockey

This isn't about fear. It isn't about selling products. It's about creating awareness of how important wrist protection is in hockey.

A mother reached out and shared her son's story, along with these photos.

The email from Russell's mother was one of those messages you don't forget.

Reading about three severed tendons, an artery, and the ulnar nerve wasn't just difficult—it was a reminder of why awareness matters.

During a hockey game, a skate blade severed three tendons, his ulnar nerve, and an artery in Russell's wrist. Thanks to the quick response of the EMTs and hospital staff, his hand was saved.

He now faces months of rehabilitation before he can return to the game he loves.

No piece of equipment can prevent every injury. But we can continue to improve protection for areas of the body that are especially vulnerable.

Awareness starts with understanding where serious injuries can occur and asking whether those areas are adequately protected.

When evaluating any cut-resistant wrist protection, it's worth asking how it is designed to stay in place during play.

Protection built into a shirt or base layer can shift as sleeves ride up or twist. A properly fitted cuff-style wrist guard is designed to remain over the wrist throughout the game.

This post isn't about telling parents what to buy.

It's about encouraging players, parents, coaches, and equipment managers to recognize that serious wrist injuries can happen and to understand the protective options available so they can make informed decisions.

Before purchasing any cut-resistant product, ask these questions:

* What is the certified cut level?
* Can the manufacturer provide
* independent test documentation?
* Has the product been tested after repeated laundering?
* Does the cut resistance change after repeated washing?
* How is the protection designed to stay in place during play?

These are fair questions. Every manufacturer should be able to provide clear answers.

Thank you to Russell's family for allowing me to share this important story. By sharing your experience, you are helping educate the hockey community.

Awareness isn't fear. Awareness saves.

I have had multiple head injuries. Most of them were caused by whiplash.

I have no association with Kapsul nor do they pay me. I do know the person behind the company and the years and passion he has committed to this protection.

I am posting because I believe this protection might help others.

Concussions took me away from a sport I loved, hockey, and have caused me mental health issues I live with everyday.

From Kapsul

Injury to the brain, head, and neck for an athletes can be critical, and in some cases be life changing. At Kapsul, we deploy world leading biomechanics research and material science to protect brains from injury causing forces.

Through more than 7 years of research, we’ve focused on the globally accepted fact that the primary force causing brain injury is acceleration of the brain, and by default, the head and neck.

Acceleration forces can occur in a variety of scenarios including direct head impacts, inertial forces (like shoulder to shoulder hits,) and repetitive sub concussive impacts. All of which occur regularly sport, specifically contact sports.

Through an evolved understanding of the problem, Kapsul developed Dynamic Neck Stabilization Technology, allowing athletes to protect themselves better from harmful acceleration forces of the head and neck.

Kapsultech.com

Protection Where the Game Is Most Exposed.

Cut resistant. Not cut proof.

Cutshield Hockey

www.cutshield.com

I had a meeting with the Montreal Canadiens at their practice facility.

Never gets old.

Cutshield Hockey

Play Hard, Play Safe, Play Gray

I am seeing a design trend in cut resistant garments that needs to be addressed.

There are protective garments that pull over the head like a turtleneck.

No Velcro closures.

These protective garments are cut resistant, not cut proof.

What if the neck portion is compromised
and the player is cut?

How are the EMT suppose to get to the wound?

Seconds count.

Velcro closures rip apart.

These turtleneck type of garments should not be allowed and should not be certified for use in any league.

I have had people ask me why would I be thinking about making a kids protective sock cut level A6 that is the same cut level NHL boys wear.

It actually threw me as I didn't expect a question like that.

Why? Because I have always designed thinking you will be cut. I don't think of age. I don't play the odds. I have seen too many injuries from blades over the 16 years I started this category.

I love being in the NHL. I love that i have saved NHL players. But it is the kids I most love to protect.

We all have had stitches. But it is the mental recovery that I think about when a serious laceration happens to a young skater. Some never lace up again for a sport they/ we love.

Young kids fall. They spend more time on their knees or back then they do upright.
We all start somewhere.

Anyone who wears Cutshield Hockey gear becomes my responsibility.

Accidents can still happen. My gear is cut resistant, not cut proof. But I know that the A6 cut level absolutely will lower the risk for all the small skaters who dream of playing in the NHL or PWHL.

Thats why.

Play Hard, Play Safe, Play Gray

Cutshield Hockey

I just got back from PHATS in Florida. The conference is attended by equipment managers, medical and strength and conditioning from the NHL down to many leagues in north America and Europe.

I have been protecting players for 16 years now in cut resistant protection. I have saved over 40 NHL players as well as players in lower leagues and European leagues. I found out that I am the number one brand used by players in the NHL.

All I want to do is keep protecting and developing protection that offers players not only high cut level protection but protection that is comfortable, light and does not degrade so that the cut level does not protect after a number of washes.

I am the only company to have done a wash test in NHL gas units. My A6 sock dropped one level after 100 washes and dries. In home electric units, no change after 180 washes and dries.

I had many team doctors pass by to see my gear and it gave me an opportunity to ask questions regarding the lacerations that are most common and that they have had to repair.

That information has now made me change my A9+ goalie and player pant.

Not all A9 material is the same. Many companies are saying that they have A9 cut level protection.

Where i stand alone is that most A9 material is woven and does not stretch.

My A9+ material is a knit and is feather light. It stretches and is breathable. It is also washable.

In our testing, the A9+ material cut at 7400. A9 is 6000. After 100 washes and dries on high in NHL gas units, it went up to 9400. The knit got tighter.

This is the material i am using for the goalie and player pant.

After speaking to surgeons, the goalies pants will have femoral, back of calf, Achilles and upper thigh protection. It will add approximately 110 grams to the pant.

For players, the protection will be Achilles, back of thigh and above the knee. It will add approximately 93 grams to the weight of the pant.

I am sampling for NHL teams who have asked and it will be available in August on my site to the public.

Sizes will be Adult small, medium, large, XL and XXL. The pants are hockey fit. Not to loose and not too tight. With Velcro or without. Jock with straps for forwards and cup holder in non- Velcro.

I am working on pricing and will be in the 150-160 USD range for goalies and 120-130 USD for players.

I listen to what players want and appreciate any feedback/ideas/suggestions, so I can grow and continue to be the best protection on the market.


Cutshield Hockey

Play Hard, Play Safe, Play Gray

Kiddie Cutshield Hockey cut level A6 foot
socks.

5 years to 8 years old

In the testing phase.

Same socks worn in the NHL - but kiddie size.

Cutshield Hockey
www.cutshield.com