By Washed Up Goalie on November 19, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

2022 Christmas Shopping Ideas

Two years ago I debuted my holiday shopping ideas list. Things you can get not just the goalie in your life, but the hockey fan, or even yourself. You may notice many of the selections are similar to the last two years and that’s because they’re awesome products. There are also new additions. This is by no means a complete list, but merely one to get you started. Oh, and this list is in no particular order.

Washed Up Goalie/Tendy Talk Merch

I’ll start off with the shameless plug for Washed Up Goalie and Tendy Talk merchandise. Get shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, and some cool goalie silhouette pillows and prints for yourself or the goalie in your life. New this year is Tendy Talk appeal. Support the podcast by sporting a Tendy Talk hoodie or shirt to the rink. I have a hoodie, and it is ridiculously comfortable and looks great too.

October Saves

The October Saves mission is to raise money to cancer research and patient care through goalies. Rather than give a gift, make a pledge in the name of your favorite goalie this year. Listen to episode 91 of Tendy Talk with October Saves founder Lara Hopewell.

SotaStick

My friends over at SotaStick have some great Minnesota sports-themed apparel. This time of year they have some fun ugly sweater-look sweatshirts. I have several of their shirts and sweatshirts, as well as a few pairs of socks. If your team is looking for jerseys, hit them up too. SotaStick did the jerseys for my beer league team. I have a few from playing in their annual SotaStick Hockey Classic as well. My beer league team also got our jerseys through them.

Bone Jack Designs

If you’re looking for some unique goalie-themed art, Charles at Bone Jack Designs is your guy. He has some awesome original prints, buttons, hats, shirts, stickers, and even a coloring book (of which I own)for the goalie in your life. You can also commission him to draw any goalie (yourself, your kid, etc.). I’ve been lucky enough to have Charles take some of my Instagram posts and add his artistic touch to them. Be sure to catch Charles on episode 27 of Tendy Talk.

Toe Drag Apparel

So the owner of this company may have gone to a rival high school of mine, but I don’t hold that against him because his Shinny socks are awesome. They look like hockey socks with a hockey skate. If you look at the bottom of the foot there is even the look of a skate blade. They also have a pretty sweet Celly Golf Shirt line that looks like NHL hockey jerseys. Last year I went to buy a pair of the pink breast cancer awareness socks I had seen on the Toe Drag Apparel social media postings for my mom who was going through treatment at the time. I didn’t see them on the website so I sent a quick email to the owner Dan explaining I wanted to send them to mom. He simply asked for an address, then sent her two pairs. She loved them as they were warm, supportive, and made her think of me while she sat in treatment rather than what she was going through.

Chicago Fire Department Hockey

My Dad spent nearly 30 years on the Chicago Fire Department, and when I was in high school I skated with the Chicago Fire Department Hockey Team a time or two. If you asked me back then I would have insisted I’d be their goalie today. Life lead me a different way, but I still follow the team and this is a great way to support them as proceed from t-shirt sales go to the team.

The Goalie Guild

The Goalie Guild founder Justin Goldman has created an incredible support system for goalies needing someone to talk to. On top of that, he has written some great books on goaltending (I’m told, but still need to order myself and read them) as well. Let’s not forget the great EBUG hats as well. You can also order some Lift the Mask stickers to let other goalies know you are there to listen if they need somebody to talk to. Be sure to catch Justin on episode 4 of Tendy Talk, and again on episode 80 of Tendy Talk when we talk the loss of our Hockey Moms.

FDNY Hockey

The FDNY hockey team has some great apparel options, with proceeds helping fund the program and the widow’s fund. The FDNY hockey team battles the NYPD hockey team once a year in the Rivalry Game. Be sure to check out the Tendy Talk episodes with FDNY goalies: Episode 53 Kurt Pflumm, and Episode 82 Nice Battaglia. Carter Hockey Tape Her Soul Shot October Saves Stop It Goaltending Game Day App

The Minnesotan

I can not go to downtown White Bear Lake without stopping into The Minnesotan. I’ve known Corey for a number of years, back to my coaching days when he’d ask me to play goalie for some of his pick-up skates. Their Minnesotan branded apparel is awesome, but they carry some great collections. Their Old School and Hockey collections are my favorites. They also have a MN Highschool Hockey Tournament collection. If you are local and can shop in-store you’d be doing yourself a favor. You can even stop across the street at the 617 for a drink afterward.

Northern Lids

Nick over at Northern Lids handcrafts some killer lids. From stocking caps to trucker hats Nick has some great options. I wear my Cooper Hockey hat all the time. It seems like whenever I wear it I get comments and people asking where they can get their own. At one of my beer league games I was sporting my Cooper Hockey hat when one teammate walked in wearing the Jofa hockey hat, and another the Koho Hockey hat.

4 The Love of Puck

My friends over at 4 The Love of Puck are working on a documentary chronicling what we love about hockey – the community. They also have some sweet apparel for sale to help fund their project. They just updated their logo, and have some hats with it on there. You can still get their old logo on some shirts and hats. Catch Cas from the 4 The Love of Puck project on episode 23 of Tendy Talk.

Vintage Goalie Brand

Vintage Goalie Brand creator Matt has created a logo that speaks to the beer league goalies. I’ve even run into another goalie in a hamburger joint in White Bear Lake, MN. The Two Pad Stack Union shirt is one I may have to splurge on soon as I already have the Tribute Trucker hat and one of his original logoed shirts. Matt has some new designed for 2022 as well. Be sure to catch Matt from Vintage Goalie on episode 13 of Tendy Talk.

The Zambonis

I first started listening to The Zambonis after ordering their first CD when I saw an ad in USA Hockey Magazine back in the late 90s. I love their hockey-related songs. It was usually their CDs I was listening to on the bus in college. They have a few more songs then they did back then, and I love them all. In fact, their song “The Pond Song’ is featured on most of my Tendy Talk episodes.

Second String Leather Company

Second String Leather Company has created some incredible wallets, Apple Watch bands, totes, and toiletry bags from old hockey equipment. They started repurposing goalie equipment, but are now using player gloves as well. Their next collection promises to be their best yet. They have some nice shirts and hats as well. I actually have two of their wallets and an Apple Watch band. One of the wallets and the watch band came from an old pair of Cooper player gloves I sent them. You can also hear the story behind Second String Leather Company on episode 29 of Tendy Talk where I talk to founders Joe and Zac. Not sure about the quality of the wallets, be sure to check out my product review follow-up.

Beauty Staus

These fellas have some awesome collections. My favorite is the Triple Deke (Mighty Ducks) collection where they have hats, shirts, and banners that would look great hanging by an outdoor rink that will make you look like you were an extra in any of the three Mighty Ducks movies. I already have the District 5, 92-93 State Championship shirt. The Beer League All-Star Collection is another must-see.

Hockey by Design

Hockey by Design has some awesome hockey-themed products. I have several of their goalie mask stickers, phone cases, prints, and other awesome products that routinely change. My favorite product (that I don’t already have) is a 31-mask grid print that would look awesome in a home office in video call backgrounds. Of the products I do have, I see the Original Six Stickers of six vintage goalie masks every day as they adorn my water bottle I use at work.

Belfour Spirits

I am not a whisky drinker, but after having Ed and Dayn Belour on episode 24 of Tendy Talk to talk goaltending they sent me some of their spirits. Being a gracious recipient of a gift, I sampled some of the Rye Whisky and the Burbon Whiskey finished with Texas Pecan Wood and enjoyed both. I really liked the Bourbon Whiskey finished with Texas Pecan Wood so I am selective as to who I share that with. I had my father-in-law who is a bit of a whiskey snob try both, and he too enjoyed them. You can now order their whiskeys online on the Belfour Spirits website.

InGoal Premium

Give the goalie in your life the gift of knowledge with inGoal Magazine’s premium membership for less than $5 a month. Their pro reads section is worth it. As a beer leaguer, I love these videos. It gives me something to think about when reviewing my game tapes. Be sure to catch InGoal founders David Hutchison and Kevin Woodly episode 9 and episode 16 of Tendy Talk.

Vintage Tendy Magazine

I’m obsessed with Vintage Tendy Magazine. I don’t if it’s because of the goalies they feature from the ’80s and ’90s, if it’s because of the quality of the magazine, or just because I don’t get any other magazines sent to my home anymore. I consume almost everything exclusively online – except for Vintage Tendy Magazine. I had the editor and publisher Brent DeNure on Episode 28 of Tendy Talk.

CoolHockey.com

I have not ordered anything from CoolHockey.com, but love their offering. They carry NHL licensed jerseys (not the cheap knockoffs from overseas that look good from afar, but clearly aren’t quality items, and oftentimes have the wrong sizing on their lettering. CoolHockey.com also has a monthly mystery box lot where you can order a jersey for under $100, the catch is you don’t know what one you’ll get. 70% of the jerseys they send out in their mystery boxes are blank, but the other 30% have a player name and number on the back. One of these days I’m going to order a mystery box, and with my luck, I’ll get a Blues or Red Wings jersey.

Vogel Hockey Sweatbands

Vogel Hockey sweatbands are the talk of the GGSU Facebook group. I’m not sure if it is because the sweatbands are that good, or if it’s for the art that often accompanies an order. Here is what I can say though – Every goalie I know that uses them swears by them and says they’ll never use another sweatband.

Good Wood Hockey

Good Wood’s signature products are their intertwined stick hats and shirts, but they have some other designs like their fishbowl shirt, Happy Hockey Days shirt, or happy place shirt. They have a few of the interlocking stick designs though, and they’re all pretty awesome.

Blade Shades

When I first saw Blade Shades I knew I wanted a pair, but questioned how comfortable they’d be. I meet Ken, Jordie, and Landon at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo when I bought my first pair. I was pleasantly surprised that these are some of the most comfortable sunglasses I have ever owned. The next year I bought another pair so I had both goalie-themed options. If you need sunglasses, do yourself a favor and get a pair of Blade Shades. You’ll look cool, and support two families in the process. Be sure to catch Jordie on episode 22 of Tendy Talk.

Summer Skates

Sure Summer Skates look cool with their skate lace tops, but they’re insanely comfortable too. My son had a pair with his school’s logo on them as they do custom logos, numbers, or names on them. I may have borrowed his Summer Skates a time or two to run the garbage out the curb. They expanded their offering to include a skate lace can coozie.

Kane Van Gate’s Hockey Journey

There are some great hockey movies, then there is Kane Van Gate’s Hockey Journey Movie. The movie is full of emotion, hockey action, and has some impressive cameos. I do believe Kane was robbed by all of the award committees by not nominating him for even one category. I’ve watched the movie and can say it is well worth the price. If your team is looking at a long bus ride, somebody better hook their computer up to the TVs and get this movie playing. In a decade or two hockey players will talk about watching Slap Shot, Youngblood, Miracle, and Kane Van Gate’s Hockey Journey on those long bus rides. Be sure to catch Kane on episode 17 of Tendy Talk. Kane and I also had a shoot-out when he was in Minnesota for the Winter Classic.

Kasimir Kaskisuo

Kasimir is a great follow on social media and YouTube because he shares his journey in pro hockey from the NHL to currently playing in Sweden. I know I’ve learned a few things by watching his videos. He also shares the not-so-glamorous sides of pro hockey. He also has a pretty sweet line of appeal with his logo made from his initials to also look like the cage on a goalie mask.

Backstop Hockey

I love the Backstop Hockey lineup of shirts. The play on the old Cooper logo to read Goalie, the shirts of other vintage brands gone extinct are must-haves too. Then there are the leg pad-inspired throw pillows. If they don’t have the pads you’re looking for you can get a custom set. The leg pad stocking will look great hanging by the fireplace for Santa too.

Nomad Hockey

The Nomad Hockey logo screams outdoor hockey where most of us got our start. Is there anything more pure than ODR skating too? They have other offerings as well including their Cancer Fighter collection where proceeds go towards organizations fighting cancer. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of their looks.

Puck Cup

These cups are seriously awesome. It’s a logoed pint glass with an integrated hockey puck coaster that is detachable. They have some standard logos you can get on the cups, but you can also get custom cups with your team’s logos on them.

Hockeyland Movie

I have to admit that I have not seen the movie…yet. I will though. The reviews of this movie are all positive, and the preview has me wanting to see it. Hockey in Minnesota is unlike any other state, but hockey in northern Minnesota, specifically the area known as the Iron Rage is on a whole other level because for many of these small towns the high school hockey team is the only entertainment during the long, cold winters.

Carter Hockey Tape

We all need hockey tape, and at the end of the day it’s all the same so why not buy your tape from a company that donates a portion of all proceeds to benefit US Military Veterans? Disabled veteran hockey programs cover the United States and each of these programs can benefit from financial support to cover ice time, equipment, travel, and other expenses to ensure these veterans can enjoy the game and Carter Hockey is helping.

Hockey Wrap Around

We all want to use our regular sticks we use on ice when playing in the street like Wayne and Garth, but that ruins the blade. Not anymore with the Hockey Wrap Around which protects your blade. Many people use a piece of tape or two to hold the device on their stick so that it doesn’t fall off mid-shot or when you’re dangling the neighbor kid. Kas Backstop Hockey NomadNomad Hockey Puck Cups Hockeyland

Hockey Shot

The Hockey Shot is synonymous with hockey training tools. They carry everything from shooting tarps, synthetic ice, slide boards, pucks, nets, passers. You name it, they probably have it. They even had their own gift guide last year so keep an eye out for that again this year. While their options for goalies are quite limited, we can only hope that’ll change.

M-Graphix

You’ve probably seen M-Graphix and didn’t even notice. She has designed pad graphics for True/Lefevre and other custom designs. She has also launched a shop with apparel and stickers. The Three-Cage Design is probably my favorite Many of her designs are simple, yet get capture the essence of goaltending. The only reason I don’t have something from her collection is because I can’t decide which shirt I want, and in what color.

Hockey Sauce Kit

Goalies are supposed to be the best skaters on the ice, but they’re spending more time working on their stickhandling these days. Before you know it they’ll probably have the best hands on the ice too. A little time with a Hockey Sauce Kit should improve any goalie’s hands. The truth is though this little kit is fun and easy to take just about anywhere. It should be replacing bags as the ultimate tailgating game if you ask me.

Vaughn Hockey

I love Vaughn goalie equipment. I’ve been a Vaugn guys since squirts when I’ve had some piece of equipment being theirs, but since 1999 my pads and gloves have only been Vaughn. One of my favorite things about their equipment is the craftsmanship. It is hand made in North America and lasts. I used one set for 21 years. 21 years! They also have some appeal and accessories. Not sure how I haven’t picked up a Vaughn shirt yet.

BHLPA

All roads lead to the beer league. It’s because of that we have the BHLPA where they have plenty of apparel options to let your team and the general public where your game stands. I have been seen sporting Franchise Goalie shirt in the locker room to remind my beer league teammates of my true value. They also have a full assortment of apparel, with BHLPA logoed apparel in most team colors.

Sense Arena

I haven’t tried one of these things, but want to. My son has an Oculus and I’ve tried some of the games on it so I can only imagine how awesome this project is. I’ve heard the fellas on inGoal talk about the product. I forgot to ask Justin Goldman of The Goalie Guild about it when we spoke for episode 2 of Tendy Talk about how he likes his, but when I talked to Maria Mountain for episode 6 she had nothing but good things to say about it. A monthly subscription can be had for $69/month. You will need an Oculus system and can purchase one through Sense Arena.

The Goalie Guru

Have you considered cutting a trigger finger into your goalie stick? I know I was, then I was given a Goalie Guru. This little device attaches easily to the paddle of a goalie stick with some supplied super glue and a band to hold it in place until the glue sets. My advice is to use some sandpaper to lightly rough up the area to give the glue something to adhere to. Be sure to catch Goalie Guru creator Corey Brenner on episode 34 of Tendy Talk.

S. Preston Art and Designs

Is an artist I first discovered because of his Ballpark Princesses where he goes to MLB games across the country, starts drawing a Disney princess wearing one of the teams playing jersey, and gives it to a fan who finds his seat after sharing it on Twitter. He has some great minimalist logo and mascot prints. If I had an unlimited budget, and wall space I’d have so many of his pieces.

Pacific Rink

Pacific Rink has some cool apparel, but their coolest product has to be The Pond Pack which makes carrying your skates and gloves down to the pond a lot easier than throwing your skates on your stick and wearing your gloves. I could have used one of these in high school when I rollerbladed home most days. The pouches for the skates would have been helpful.

Pro Shop

These guys have some awesome ’90s era logoed shirts. Everything from defunct brands to individual player logos. My favorite is the Belfour eagle shirt, but the Broder 30 logo and Potvin cat shirts are pretty cool, then there is the Roy Avalanch helmet Hawaiian shirt. They have so many awesome options it’s hard to pick just one, or five. Even harder to figure out which one you want first if you plan to place multiple orders until you get every one you want.

Beer League Players Association

Following in the steps of the BHLPA is the Beer League Players Association (BLPA). The BLPA has some sweet apparel. Their offerings are constantly changing so if you see something you like, you better snag it. I know I’m eyeing the Champion Hoodie. They’re also part of The Tourney Co. that puts on draft experience weekends across North America, primarily for hockey, but venturing into other sports like softball, volleyball, and soccer.

Maria Mountain

Maria Mountain’s Goalie Training Lab has a great free butterfly challenge program, but she also offers other premium programs that will no doubtly help the goalie in your life feel better on and off the ice.