Hockey players are nothing if not creatures of habit.
So when the patterns change, or worse, the company they've used their entire life shuts down altogether, it can feel like their world is crumbling down around them.
"They're always coming out with something new," lamented Michael Frolik, a self-described gear nut. "Some guys like it. They like being able to test out the 'latest and greatest,' but when it comes to my sticks, anyway, I don't like switching it up too much.
"Every two years they stop making certain things and they say it's the same, but it's not. I try not to get too attached, but when you really like something and they change it, it's (annoying)," he adds with a chuckle.
"It's the one piece of equipment, outside of maybe our skates, that we need the most, so we're all really passionate about it."
STICK IT TO 'EM
The players dish on the tools of the trade
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