Senior Catcher or Catch Glove: Importance, How to Choose, and Popular Brands
A senior catcher, also known as a catch glove or trapper, is an essential piece of equipment for senior goaltenders, designed to offer the perfect balance between performance, protection, and comfort. Leading brands like Bauer, CCM, Brians, Vaughn, and Warrior offer a range of senior catch gloves to cater to different preferences and playing styles. In this article, we'll discuss the importance of senior goalie catch gloves, how to choose the right one, and explore the unique features of each brand.
Importance of Senior Catch Gloves
Puck Control: A catch glove enables the goaltender to catch and secure the puck during play, preventing rebounds and scoring opportunities for the opposing team.
Protection: A senior goalie catch glove provides essential protection to the hand and wrist, shielding the goaltender from potentially dangerous shots and impacts.
Comfort: A well-designed catch glove offers comfort and flexibility, allowing the goaltender to make catches with ease and without restriction.
How to Choose a Senior Goalie Catch Glove
Fit: A catch glove should fit comfortably on the hand while still allowing for a full range of motion. Consult the manufacturer's sizing charts to find the appropriate size for a senior goalie.
Break Angle: The break angle refers to the position of the catching surface in relation to the wrist. Different break angles cater to various catching styles, so choose one that feels comfortable and natural for you.
Protection: Ensure the catch glove provides ample padding and protection in crucial areas, such as the palm, fingers, and wrist.
Closure: Consider the type of closure system on the glove, such as a traditional lacing system or a quick-release system, depending on your preference for ease of use and adjustability.
Pocket: The pocket is the area where the puck is caught and held. Look for a pocket size that suits your catching style, with larger pockets offering a wider catching surface and smaller pockets providing more precise control.
Senior Catch Gloves Brands and Key Features
Bauer: Known for their lightweight and high-performance catch gloves, Bauer's Supreme and Vapor lines cater to different preferences, with both offering reliable options for senior goalies.
CCM: CCM's senior catch gloves provide a balanced approach to protection and flexibility. The Premier line offers excellent coverage and a more traditional feel, while the E-Flex line focuses on flexibility and mobility for a more reactive style of play.
Brians: Brians is renowned for its highly customizable and innovative senior catch gloves. The Optik line boasts a lightweight design with a focus on mobility and puck control, while the G-NETik line offers a more traditional feel with an emphasis on flexibility and rebound control.
Vaughn: Popular for their comfortable and protective catch gloves, Vaughn's Ventus and Velocity lines cater to different preferences, with the Ventus line offering a stiffer glove for maximum coverage and the Velocity line featuring a softer, more flexible construction for reactive goaltending.
Warrior: Warrior goalie catch gloves, such as the Ritual line, focus on innovation and performance. They offer exceptional mobility, lightweight construction, and impressive puck control, making them a popular choice for senior goalies seeking an edge in their game.
In conclusion, selecting the right senior goalie catch glove involves considering factors like fit, break angle, protection, closure, and pocket size. Research the unique offerings from various brands like Bauer, CCM, Brians, Vaughn, and Warrior to find the perfect catch glove that caters to your preferences and playing style. With the right catch glove, you'll enhance your performance and comfort on the ice, helping you make game-changing saves.