The idea grew from conversations
last spring between Reebok-CCM
General Manager Phillipe Dube and
Benoit Vincent, chief technology
officer at TaylorMade. Vincent said
the idea is to increase hockey slapshot velocity in much the same way
TaylorMade has improved a tee shot’s
ballspeed, by focusing on coefficient
of restitution (COR).
“We have not only improved the
mass distribution in the stick for a
faster swing speed,” Vincent said,
“but the unsupported region on
the blade face increases COR. We
combine these blade improvements
with a shaft that has a finely tuned
stiffness profile to return maximum
energy at puck release.”
Dube, who worked at Taylor-
Made in the 1990s, was interested in
tapping into his former company’s
knowledge of composites technology,
and he also believes the association
with TaylorMade’s success helps his
brand and the sport as well.
“Is it a plus for CCM that we are
working with TaylorMade? Of course
it is,” Dube said, indicating he’s not
worried that hockey’s ruling bodies
would put new limits on stick technology. “You might be able to hit the puck
faster, and that may make the game
more interesting and teams may be
able to score more goals. But then
maybe at the same time we will also
develop better goalie equipment.”
—Mike Stachura
MISCELLANY
Just in…
�� Barry Hyde, who in 2005 became
the first chief marketing officer for
TaylorMade and Reebok-
CCM will introduce an RBZ
hockey stick this fall.
the USGA, has left the governing
body to accept a position as an executive vice president with Wasserman
Golf and will be based in New York
City. Hyde helped to cultivate lucrative partnerships for the USGA with
American Express, Lexus, IBM and
Rolex. Wasserman Media Group is a
global sport and entertainment marketing agency based in Los Angeles
that expanded its golf presence with
the purchase of SFX Golf in April of
last year. … More than 9,000 entries
were accepted for the 2012 U.S. Open
at Olympic Club. The USGA’s online
application process was closed April
25 with 9,006 entrants, the fourth-highest total in history, 80 shy of
the record set in 2009. … Arizona’s
Rick LaRose is retiring July 1 after
spending the past 34 years overseeing the Wildcats’ men’s program and
39 years coaching in Tucson. LaRose
will remain at the school, working as
a special assistant to the athletic director and helping with fund-raising
efforts for a new golf practice facility.
… Alexandra Armas has resigned as
executive director of the Ladies European Tour, effective at the end of 2012.
Barry Hyde
