CCM Premier R1.9 Intermediate Goalie Blocker

The CCM Premier R1.9 Intermediate Goalie Blocker is recommended for A thru AAA travel hockey levels.

CCM Premier R1.9 Intermediate Goalie Blocker

New for 2016 is the CCM Premier Pro Goalie Blocker. The Premier series has been around for over a decade. Some people may not realize that CCM and Reebok were/are the same company. The Premier series has always been made under the Reebok name however starting in 2016, the Premier series will be under the CCM name. The CCM Premier is the dominant name for the coverage style goalie and the Premier blocker has been a favorite for over a decade. This blocker has a center placement on the palm which gives this a very balanced feel. The reinforced palm gives the feel and durability that a high level goalie needs for feel and stick handling.

The Premier blocker also uses added HD foam to the first finger. This is the finger that seems to take the most abuse as a goalie. The palm fit on this blocker is snug, this allows the blocker to retain the stiff feeling that coverage style goalies like. The blocker board has a nice contour to help with rebounds and increases mobility when stick handling.

CCM Premier R1.9 Intermediate Goalie Blocker Features

• Front Face: Binding less for increased durability
• Cuff: Adjustable fit allows you to easily stick handle any puck
• Positioning of the Palm: Centered palm position helps with the overall balance of the blocking board
• Blocker Palm: Suregrip and Nash suede hand grips helps to maintain a firm hold on the stick
• Palm Guard: Reinforced hand for added durability
• Palm Gusset: Ventilated mesh maximizes air-flow to promote freshness
• Lock Thumb Protector: Injection molded thumb helps to better protect you from those pesky puck bounces and opponents’ stick blades
• Finger protectors: HD foam wrap around the first finger with D3O smart foam for added protection
• Blocking board: Laminated dual density foam with PE to help direct rebounds

Is A Blocker Just A Blocker?

A blocker is not just “a blocker.”  Otherwise, the quality of workmanship in the goalie blockers wouldn’t vary significantly.   Hybrid goalies wouldn’t demand a wide open cuff, with more contour on the blocker board and a palm to maximize mobility and agility.  By contrast, a coverage style goalie wouldn’t insist on a flatter board with a tighter palm for a more secure and stiff feel.

The blocker’s weight is another key aspect to its performance.  The stick and blocker side of the goalie’s body carries more weight than the glove side.  As a result, goalies can find themselves “off-centered.”  A quality blocker reduces weight and works to equalize the goalie’s center of gravity and ease the ability to reach a “natural balance.”

The goalie’s ability to maneuver the blocker is critical to performance.  In recent years, a goalie must possess quality stick handling skills in order to meet the demands of the position.  Since the blocker hand is the dominant hand while stick handling, owning the right blocker is extremely important.

Sizing Differences: Youth, Junior and Intermediate

It can be difficult to understand the sizing terms used in goalie equipment.  Youth, junior and intermediate are often used interchangeably, adding to the confusion as to which term goes with which age group.  The following provides a general overview to help eliminate any errors in the ordering process:

Youth Goalies

Youth goalie gear is the smallest on the market.  Generally, youth gear fits goalies ages five (5) to eight (8) years old.  Youth gear is less expensive as it is not constructed with the highest quality of materials.  It is important to note that,  at a youth level, it is not advisable to use higher quality materials and foams.  Research shows that doing so creates two issues:  First, high-end materials are too stiff and restrictive for youth goalies.  Second, youth players outgrow their gear faster than any age group, often doing so before the gear “breaks in.”  Consequently, the materials are more flexible but less resilient at the youth goalie gear age group.

Junior Goalies

Junior goalie equipment is usually outfitted for goalies at ages eight (8) years to twelve (12) years old.  Similar to the youth equipment, manufacturers do not construct junior gear with the highest quality of materials for the reasons outlined above.  However, the junior gear contains many of the specifications used for senior level gear, scaled down to meet the demands of the junior player.  Product based research has provided a nice balance between the constraints of high-level gear and the needs of the junior level player.  The research concludes that a junior player possesses a need for flexibility and movement which outweighs a need for high end materials that will last several years.  Ultimately, for a junior player to develop sound and safe technique, the junior gear must place a premium on flexibility and overall performance.

Intermediate Goalies

Intermediate level goalie equipment immediately precedes the senior or adult category; it is reserved for players at ages between eleven (11) years to fourteen (14) years old.  Interestingly, smaller adults use intermediate level equipment in some cases.  Intermediate level goalie equipment uses higher density foams and higher quality materials.  Intermediate goalies possess a certain level of technique that allows for control and performance with more resilient gear.  They also have the size or strength to maneuver the equipment and develop technique.  Additionally, manufacturers recognize the demand for durability required by players in the intermediate age group and build their products accordingly.  In general, intermediate gear meets a higher level of performance and extra protection.  Players at the intermediate age group play faster and shoot harder.  Consequently, the goalie gear must meet the increase in performance.