Floorball is Fast and Fun!

Want to Skate Anywhere and Stay off your Butt?

PuckGobbler Interviews Dean Sprung of www.skateanywhere.ca!

There's a wonderful little secret a lot of us beer league goalies share...we can't skate. Well, at least not well and for some of us (no names mentioned) the ability to wear big thick pads and fancy masks sure helps the brain BELIEVE we can. Now obviously I'm generalising to make forwards feel better about themselves, but one thing I have noticed quite often is the locker-room discussions regarding skate sharpening. How often...where to do it...how much it costs...is there a better way... So I went-a-searching and found a great product I felt should be shared with our readers, and asked the owner if we could discuss it in more depth. And thus the EDGE AGAIN interview was born!!!

Hello Dean - thanks for the opportunity to chat with us about your business! First, let’s get our readers and you acquainted Can you tell us a bit about your background, and how it lead you into this business?

When my family moved to Newmarket, Ontario 14 years ago, I wanted to get involved with the community through minor hockey. I started to coach two years prior to our eldest son being eligible to even join a hockey team. I’ve now coached minor hockey for 11 years here.

Skill development has always been important to me. As a coach, I had to separate my emotions from the scoreboard and constantly re-evaluate the skill set of the team. The first fifteen minutes of a practice was devoted to edge control. 25% of our team budget would be used for out-sourced skill development. I had many high profile instructors run several practices and we used a local skill development centre to help the kids with their skating, passing and shooting. Seeing the players improve their skills and confidence over the season was a better measure than any scoreboard would tell.

About 5 years ago, I thought about running my own skill centre. I bought some used synthetic ice for the basement to give the business a trial run (with my wife’s permission). I have two boys that play rep hockey and a daughter that loves to skate. They were thrilled when they saw it. When I coached my younger son’s team, the parents would come over on Sunday mornings (parents with their newspaper and coffee, the players with their hockey gear). We would work on passing, shooting, scoring techniques and face offs.

The more I thought about it, the more I got interested in selling synthetic ice. Three years ago, I started selling Super-Glide synthetic ice from the basement under the SkateAnywhere.ca name. A few months later, I built a 16’ x 32’ demo rink in a commercial unit in Newmarket. Shortly after that, Georges Laraque picked up the rights to sell the product exclusively and I became his Regional Sales Manager.

For anyone that hasn’t heard of you yet or checked out your site (www.skateanywhere.ca) can you describe what the Edge-Again Sharpening System is all about?

When selling Super-Glide synthetic ice, customers would inquire about nets, pucks, pylons and rink boards. SkateAnywhere.ca quickly started to build its rink accessories category.

The Edge Again was developed by former NHLer Chris Kontos. Georges invited Chris and his son Kristoff (OHL, Sudbury Wolves) to come test the Edge Again skate-sharpening device on my Super-Glide synthetic ice demo rink in May 2010. I had just finished The Hockey Expo show in Mississauga and did not have a chance to get my skates sharpened at my local Maximum Edge retailer. I was able to move around the rink but clearly knew that the hours of skating at the show dulled my edges.

Kristoff ran the Edge Again up and down my blades and I went back to the rink to skate. Right away I could feel the bite. I was sold and it quickly became available through the online store.

Over the past two years, I’ve learned so much about proper skate maintenance through my local pro shop and now through Chris. Since my minor hockey days, through adult hockey and coaching, I took it for granted that a sharpening anywhere was good enough for top game performance. Wow, was I wrong!

What are some of the features and benefits, or major advantages of the system you want to touch upon?

The Edge Again is ideal for any skating surface: refrigerated ice rinks, backyard rinks synthetic ice rinks and skating treadmills. There are two sides to each edge of a skate blade. The Edge Again uses a diamond-coated tusk to sharpen each edge by touching both sides of the edge. You simply slide the device back and forth along the blade. There are rechargeable models and hand-held models for player, goalie and figure skates.

The device was engineered and is assembled by MAGNA here in Newmarket.

Are you suggesting this system become a replacement to taking your skates to a professional sharpening centre (or local hockey retailer)?

The Edge Again is ideal to use between sharpenings. If you want optimal ice time and top game performance, you need this in the hockey bag or on the bench. I’ve personally used it with both of my sons’ teams. Game one of a tournament, a player arrived at the arena with dull skates and there was no pro shop nearby. I used the Edge Again and after playing a solid game, the player said his skates felt great. I’ve also walked around the change room prior to game six of a tournament series to feel each blade. More than half of the team got the Edge Again treatment and won that game to win the tournament.

I’ve seen where the Edge Again could have been used but was not available. A shift early in the third period, a player lost their edge, couldn’t back check and his team got scored on. With no pro shop around, the player had to sit the remainder of the third period. In another scenario, the starting goalie was about to step on the ice but his blade slid across the concrete floor. The trainer tried to repair it with a stone but was unsuccessful. The back-up goalie had to start and play the entire game.

Equipment maintenance is equally important as skill development. Coaches will track shots on net, +/-, turn-overs, goals and assists but rarely track lost edges. It’s a game maker or game breaker. I put together a stat sheet to help teams keep track of this. PDF download:

http://www.skateanywhere.ca/assets/images/LostAnEdgeStat.pdf

Other Reasons to have your own skate sharpening device:

1.Open on Sundays

2.Open on Holidays

3.You did not fall on that breakaway

4.You lent it to the player who scored the winning goal

There is a video on your site featuring former NHL’er Chris Kontos describing the product. In the video, he mentions this will save you money, but the pro-systems can at first seem fairly pricey to a lot of beer leaguers. Can you touch upon this a bit?

Traditionally, parents or adult players would head to their local skate shop to have blade trauma fixed even after one hour of use. You hear it in the stands or on the bench all the time “He/she lost an edge. Better get ‘em sharpened”. You should be able to get about six hours of ice time on one sharpening. Sharpenings can range from $5 to $6. The Edge Again can fix that damage for less. The $29.99 tusk is good for 30 sharpenings. That’s $1 per sharpening.

Every skate sharpening at your local skate shop reduces the height of your blade ever so slightly. Compare your three year-old skate blades to the new skates that one of your teammates just purchased. See the height difference? Over time, there’s no more blade to sharpen. You can either buy new skates or just have the blade replaced. Prolonging the life of your blade will save you money. The Edge Again can help you do this.

The rechargeable Edge Again is ideal and affordable for team use on the bench. The oscillating tusk allows a trainer to do a whole line, if they have to, before their next shift. The hand-held devices are ideal for parents or adults that want them for personal use.

On another note, a lot of hockey retailers are selling the “magic stick” sharpening tool (plastic grip connecting to a ceramic ‘Y-Shaped’ thingy at the end you slide over your skate blades) for about $20…your basic system is double this in price, so can you touch on the differences between the two products?

There are many ways to get to your destination. Horse, car, limo, plane, train. Getting there on time is based on what you know about your method of transportation and the terrain you have to cover. I won’t trash another product but it’s important for a user to understand the properties, technology, application and result of equipment maintenance tools and services.

In terms of beer league hockey, how easy is this system to use – that is, as easy as the magic stick / can be done in the change room while yapping about last week’s loss / etc? (A lot of guys I play with use retailers so they always get a ‘good sharpening’ – if the system is applied on our own, can we screw this up somehow?)

I’m a beer leaguer too. Years of playing 3 on 3 with the guys, I have many times asked someone for a stone. The design of the tusk properly touches each side of the edge. The blade fits through the channel on the device. Just grip the device, hold it to the blade and run it any direction along the blade. Depending on the amount of trauma to the blade, you may have to run it anywhere from 10 to 45 seconds.

About skate edges - some players like a different angle than others, some goalies like ½” edges vs. 5/8”, etc. Is there an ability to change the sharpening angle with this system, or do you feel that is or isn’t important?

The Edge Again does not touch the hollow of the blade or does not affect the profile of the blade. It will work with any type of cut.

Who is the ultimate target market for these? Are you focusing on pro level players or more recreational / beer leaguers? Or…anybody with an ice skate?

Edge Again owner Chris Kontos has many stories about pro, semi-pro and junior players using the Edge Again. I have my own personal stories of minor and adult hockey players. The devices are ideal for hockey skill centres, team use and personal use of any age.

In terms of helping improve someone’s game, what are some of the main things us beer leaguers could expect to see by having this in the equipment bag?

Hockey requires many skating maneuvers in all directions. Not having control results in making bad plays or possible injury from falling or colliding. Toss it the bag. If you don’t use it for a particular game, maybe one of your teammates needs it. Overall team performance just went up.

For regular skate maintenance, are there any tips you feel beer leaguers should know about their skates? (As a goalie, I often see players just toss their skates into the bag…no wiping the blades, removing the insoles, etc.)

I have to give credit to Randy, my pro sharpener, and Bob Allen, the pioneer of the Maximum Edge maintenance system for these tips. Brand new skates might have slight defects in them. Kids will complain about not being able to stop in one direction. Have your skate pro look for blades that are seated off of the 90 degree angle. A 1.5 degree variance or more needs to be fixed. A shim in the holder can fix this. A torqued blade will affect skating performance as well. Resetting the holder usually fixes this problem.

Beer leaguers often complain about back pains when playing. Have the height of each blade measured. A variance between the two causes your body to compensate and puts a strain on your back. The highest blade will need to be grinded down.

Players need optimal contact with the blade and ice through the whole stride. A proper profiling (contouring and rockering are old school terms), should be done with new skates or if your skates have been done over time by the same person who does your lawn mower blade.

Most of the trauma caused to your blades is not on the ice. Walking around the change room, through the hallways or tossing your skates into the hockey bag without skate guards will affect your edges. Drying your blades and airing out your gear, at a minimum, is a good habit as well.

You now have a “Sharp Sk8s” app for the iPhone. Can you discuss the how’s and why’s about bringing that to market, and what the feedback has been like so far? (My iPhone4 is on order, so I’ll be sure to download this one it arrives!)

My passion for hockey and Apple products were brought together in January 2009 when I introduced the HockeyGPS app under my other hockey company Hockey Science & Technology. The app allows adults to find and navigate to hockey rinks around the world. The company is quickly growing into an innovative, quality and reliable content and services provider for those who make hockey a part of their lifestyle. We recently launched the Arena PA app that makes playing music at hockey games easier, manageable and fun.

Many parents don’t know when to get their childs’ skates sharpened or they lose track of when they last had the skates sharpened. The Sharp Sk8s app has an ice time tracker to help with this. The virtual punch card helps you keep track of your pre-paid sharpenings and also resets the ice time indicator for your blades. Many of us drop off the skates at our local skate shop and sometimes forget to pick them up. The built in alarm provides a reminder to get there before closing. We have all shown up to the rink without gear. The Hockey Bag feature can be used to make sure everything is packed.

Edge Again is sponsoring the app. We’ve included an ad that is revealed when the punch card is used several times or reset. Conveniently, the ad links to the Edge Again devices available on SkateAnywhere.ca. The app is free and is being downloaded everyday. I’m hoping it will bring awareness to proper skate maintenance so that skaters can reach top performance and build their confidence.

Readers can discover more hockey apps and content at www.TheHockeySeason.com

Tell us more about Super-Glide synthetic ice. (We’re out in Vancouver where a frozen pond is now about as common as a “blue puck” on Fox Sports – could be interesting?)

I’ve sold the product to homeowners, skill centres, OHL players, government and technology company IT Weapons, in Brampton, who has a rink in their office.

Canada is going to see many private and municipal full sized synthetic ice rinks over the next few years. Demand for affordable and accessible ice time is driving this. As well, operators would be able to run the facility at a profit instead of at a loss. Synthetic ice is widely accepted for home use, skill centres and entertainment in Canada. 3 on 3 hockey on 50’ x 100’ Super-Glide rinks is emerging from Europe. So, “Is Hockey Ready for Super-Glide Synthetic Ice?” Have a look at this PDF to help you decide: http://tinyurl.com/4efmu5m

Well Dean, from all of us at Team FarParker, cheers for taking the time to speak with us, and we wish you a successful 2011, both on and off the ice!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak with you. It’s great to interact with hockey fans all over the world. Your hometown of Vancouver certainly has its share of people who contribute to this great game.

For more great interviews & topics to help improve your recreational sports and active lifestyle, visit the DID YOU KNOW or LEARN STUFF sections of www.FarParker.com today!

The Natural World - Inefficient for Humans, or Vice Versa?

The natural world functions very well on its own. Left to their own devices, members of the tens of millions of species on our planet thrive and prosper without relying on outside agencies.

In order to grow abundantly, plants consume carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients from the soil. Likewise, herbivorous animals consume plants whereas carnivorous animals consume other animals. Insects eat a wide variety of foods, including plants, fruit, other insects, detritus (dead leaves, stems, and twigs), and even blood. Many types of bacteria and fungi recycle decomposing matter. Whales, the top predator in the oceans, may consume more than a ton of plankton per day in addition to fish, squid, and other crustaceans.

Every member of every species except humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) obtains everything it needs from the environment. Modern humanity is the only species for which the abundance provided by the global ecosystem is insufficient.

For instance, mountain lions, raccoons, and coyotes don't need sleeping pills. But humans spend more than $1.5 billion per year on the sleep aid Ambien. Dolphins, antelope, and bluebirds don't have problems with blood glucose levels. In stark contrast, the annual cost of diabetes medications in the United States was $12.5 billion in 2007. In the wild, oak trees, tuna, and elephants don't need nutritional supplementation. Humans, however, spend more than $23 billion annually in the United States alone. What is wrong with this picture?

As a species, humans have the unprecedented ability to manipulate and drastically alter the world in which we live. Also aside from epidemic infectious disease, there exists no natural check on human population growth. As populations expand, resources become scarce. Populations flocking to urban enclaves not only leave behind the countryside but also local sources of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry. Canning, packaging, and transportation of food over long distances become necessary to supply the energy needs of cities. But only calories and not much else are obtained by these methods. Energy is provided but food quality is substantially reduced.

Chronic disease becomes widespread. Diabetes, cardiovascular disorders including high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke, and obesity are all the direct result of a severely compromised food supply.1,2,3

Our disconnect from the natural world poses many additional challenges. Our bodies were designed to meet the demanding physical requirements of a hostile environment. But for the most part we don't do physical work anymore. If we don't find satisfactory substitutes for strenuous physical activity our musculoskeletal, metabolic, and endocrine systems easily deteriorate. The consequences include osteoporosis, chronic aches and pains, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety and depression.

It takes a lot of effort to maintain good health when we're so far removed from the natural world. We need to make sure our diets are healthy and we need to get sufficient and regular strenuous exercise. The short- and long-term benefits include happiness, self-esteem, and ongoing well-being.

1. Kesse-Guyot E, et al: Adherence to nutritional recommendations and subsequent cognitive performance: findings from the prospective Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals 2. Am J Clin Nutr Nov 24 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

2. Wolfe AR, et al: Dietary protein and protein-rich food in relation to severely depressed mood: A 10 year follow-up of a national cohort. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Nov 22 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

3. Pekmezi DW, Demark-Wahnefried W: Updated evidence in support of diet and exercise interventions in cancer survivors. Acta Oncol Nov 24 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

For more great articles to improve your recreational sports performance (on and off the ice!), please check out the "Learn Stuff" section at http://www.farparker.com/ now!  Thanks...