Hockey World Blog members grow moustaches for Movember

a charitable movement where men grow (or attempt to grow) moustaches in support of health and well-being in addition to cancer awareness and prevention in men.

As participants of the movement, each member of Hockey World Blog shaved his face and will spend the entire month of November growing and grooming his moustache. However, while we fully support men’s health issues, we have decided to throw our support behind another cause that hits closer to home.

In early 2005, Matt and Chris, two of the founding members of Hockey World Blog, were informed that their mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After diagnosis, the doctors only gave her a few months to live. While she beat out the doctor’s initial estimations, Peggy Austin eventually lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in August 2005.

Over 44,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. Of those, 94 percent will lose their battle within five years of diagnosis. A staggering 74 percent will lose their battle within the first year. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is just three to six months. Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States largely due to the lack of effective detection tools that can be used to diagnose the disease in its early stages when surgery removal of the tumor is still a possible treatment option. According to the Hirschberg Foundation, despite these statistics, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) spent an estimated $97.1 million on pancreatic cancer research in 2010. This represented a mere 2% of the NCI’s approximate $5 billion cancer research budget for that year.

In support of this cause, the members of Hockey World Blog are asking for your donations. Every penny counts and even the smallest donation will support a great cause. So throughout November, we ask that our readers help us raise money to help raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and help fight this terrible disease.

Hockey World Blog will match the first $500 worth of donations made. So if our readers can combine for $500, we will match an additional $500 to donate a total of $1,000 to pancreatic cancer research and awareness. Hockey World Blog will also auction off memorabilia throughout the month of November with 100 percent of the proceeds going to charity.

Donations can be made to Hockey World Blog’s pancreatic cancer page at www.pancreatic.org/fund/hwb.

For more information on how you can participate or help our cause, please contact EB at EB

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Bauer Nexus 1000 Ice Hockey Skates

Earlier in the week, we told you about a new line of hockey gear being released by Bauer Hockey, the Bauer Nexus product line. Today, we have our first glimpse of the new gear, as the were leaked out. As expected, the Bauer Nexus 1000 skates have a much more traditional look, with details a bit reminiscent of the old Bauer Supreme 8090 skates.  Of course, the Nexus 1000 skates will have all the top end features that you would expect from a pro line of gear. As far as fit goes on the Nexus 1000, you can expect a wider boot than the Supreme line, and it looks like its going to provide a bit more depth as well. Great news for fans who love Bauer products, but have feet that don’t quite fit the other two lines.

The Bauer Nexus 1000 skates will hit retail store shelves in June, 2012. Until then, check out the picture below of the Nexus 1000 and let us know what you think!

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DJ Steve Porter to Appear on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday

Every now and then we have to throw a few words to those that make us move. No, I’m not talking makers of hockey skates, although we are appreciative, but the guys and gals who make the music that make us jump around. DJ Steve Porter will be appearing on Hockey night in Canada tonight.

A little PR about Porter:

Steve Porter founded his production company PorterHouse Media in 2009. In just the past two years, PorterHouse has been hired to create the 2010 NBA Playoff/Finalsmarketing campaign, E! Network promos for their award season red carpet coverage, and a weekly project withESPN’s

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St. Louis Blues hire Ken Hitchcock

The St. Louis Blues juggled pieces of their lineup in the offseason in an attempt to get the right pieces in place and get back into the playoff picture. However, after a slow start this season where the Blues have amassed a meager six wins in 13 games and are second-to-last in the Western Conference, the team decided that their shakeup needed to continue and expand.

The team announced today that head coach Davis Payne was fired from the organization and Ken Hitchcock would immediately be brought in to replace him. The 40-year-old Payne was brought in as head coach in January 2010 and only coached the team for one full season in 2010-11.

“It’s shocking and it’s disappointing, but in the end, you’re responsible for all the areas of your hockey team,” Payne said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “There were pieces that weren’t firing on all cylinders and it’s under my umbrella of responsibility.”

The Blues had high expectations this season after adding veterans Jason Arnott, Jamie Langenbrunner and Scott Nichol to the lineup. While Arnott has delivered so far with eight points in 13 games, other Blues members are off to slow starts. Goalie Jaroslav Halak has just one win in seven starts for the Blues and forward Chris Stewart, who posted 23 points in 26 games after a mid-season trade last year, has just three in 13 games so far this season.

“I’ve had great success in working with top guys and getting them to play,” Hitchcock said in his press conference this afternoon. “I think there’s potential with a lot of guys to be top players here.”

Hitchcock last coached in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was let go by the organization in February 2010. This will be Hitchcock’s fourth NHL team after previously coaching the Blue Jackets, Flyers and Dallas Stars, who he coached to a Stanley Cup victory in 1998-99.

“I want us to be proud of the way we play the game,” Hitchcock said. “I think at the end of the day, I want people in St. Louis to say, ‘Man, that team plays the right way.’”

Hitchcock practiced with the team this afternoon. His first game behind the bench will be tomorrow when the Blues host the Blackhawks.

HWB is participating in

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Miken Sports Forms Alliance with Brett Hull

Miken Sports, a subsidiary of global consumer products company Jarden Corporation and manufacturer and innovator of high performance sports equipment, announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with iconic hockey figure Brett Hull.

The former NHL

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Reebok 20k Ice Hockey Skates

The all new aren’t scheduled for release until April 2012, but we have a sneak peek below. The Reebok 20k skates will continue to use the Reebok pump technology, as well as the lace-lock system. The skate looks real sharp in black and shades of grey, with a much more subtle Reebok symbol on the boot that blends in nicely with the color scheme. Unfortunately we have no other information quite yet, but expect the Reebok 20k skates to be available in retail stores next April.

What are your thoughts on the new ?

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Warrior Krown 360 Helmet

Warrior Hockey recently unveiled their new at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo in Las Vegas. Last month we brought you a picture of the Warrior Koretex helmet, but we have not heard much about it since. It appears the Koretex may have just been a prototype name. The Warrior Krown 360, however is the helmet we can definitely expect to hit retail stores in the not too distant future. What makes the Krown 360 helmet unique is it’s ability to further customize the fit to your head shape. Most helmets allow for adjustments to the length of the helmet, but the Warrior Krown 360 will allow you to adjust the width as well.

Most hockey pundits sounding off about the Krown 360 are not very pleased with its aesthetic appeal. Swagger has become an important factor for Warrior Hockey, and while players will pick up the new helmet simply because it is a Warrior product, others will opt for a more traditional looking helmet. Keep in mind, however, that the most important job for a helmet is to protect your melon. If Warrior has made any dramatic improvements in head protection, this may be a good pick up for players with a history of concussion.

Take a look at the new below and let us know what you think!

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Reebok Ai9 Stick Review: Initial Impressions

Reebok has pushed forward in the hockey stick market with their latest release, the Reebok Ai9. With a blend of sick looks, new technology, and plenty of NHL stars backing it up, Reebok hopes to have one of the hottest sticks on the market with the Ai9. Thanks to Reebok, the members of Hockey World Blog were sent an Ai9 to determine if the stick will sink or swim in an increasingly saturated composite stick market.

Specs: Reebok Ai9, Griptonite Grip, Crosby curve, 85 Flex

Modifications: None

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Easton E700 Helmet

Unveiled for the first time at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo in Las Vegas, Easton Hockey introduced their brand new . This new lid has a very stealthy look from the picture, and could even incorporate a matte black finish – which would be a cool new look for hockey helmets. The is scheduled to be released on December 1st, 2011, which is coming up quick. This could make for a great product to be added to those holiday wishlists. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of information has leaked out about the , but we expect to hear more shortly and will keep you posted. For now, check out the Easton E700 below and let us know what you think!

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Bauer Supreme Total One NXG Ice Hockey Skates

In April, 2012, Bauer will release their newest skate, the Bauer Supreme Total One NXG ice hockey skate. We brought you a sneak peek at a prototype version of the 2012 Bauer Supreme skates back in July, but now we’re looking at the final design of the skate.

You can see in the picture below (courtesy of HWB fan Tyrone, thanks bud!) that a few concepts from the prototype made their way into the Bauer Supreme Total One NXG skates, but we’re still not clear on all the features. The Total One NXG will definitely be a step up from the original Total One skates, which were released in Spring, 2010.

What are your thoughts on the new Bauer Supreme Total One NXG skates? Will you be willing to shell out some coin  to pick up a pair when they are released?

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