Hockey players are like smokers. Once they've chosen a brand they stick to it! But one NHL player who uses the Mako skates is Sergei Gonchar of the Ottawa Senators. And for him, it was an easy switch to the Mako skates, especially since he was personally involved in the process.
"I was working with Dave on this skate since the first model that he built," said Gonchar. "I always felt they're what I needed. Especially now with Easton, when they started making those skate, they were comfortable, they worked for me right away and I had no problems adjusting to them."
We spoke with Gonchar about the Mako skates, the Senators' surprising success and his hockey future. Enjoy.
Q. What is it about these skates that set it apart from any pair you've used in the past?
GONCHAR: The technology they're using. When you heat up the skate, when you put it in the oven, and then you put it on, it really molds on your foot, so you never have blisters or anything like that. I can only wear one before the game starts and I have no problems putting them right on and skating. Second, is they're very protective with the materials they're using. Really good against shots. Third, you have such a quality for the protection, this one is up there with other skates that they are very light.
You've felt a major difference in your skating ability since you've started using this skate?
Yeah. Another thing is the skating ability. I like the way they're built, the angle on the ankle. When I put them on it puts me in a position where I'm very comfortable. For me, personally, it's the right angle and I'm in the right position when I'm ready to push. Since they have the underguard, it gives you extra mobility on your ankle when you're pushing.
How does the process work? Does Easton come to you with new gear to try out or do you tell them you're looking for something new?
The way it happend, I met Dave with the MLX company and he was working on those skates. For me, it was an easy transition because I knew him and what he was working on and the ideas behind it and what he was trying to achieve. So when he told me about how Easton has made the product even better, that was a no-brainer.