I’m intrigued by the heated wax theory; though it implies that I’m going to have to start carrying a blow-torch around in my bag. As much as we all enjoy flammable material leaking into our bags, and the potential to burn myself, and/or the arena down, I think i’ll pass. Or borrow someone’s torch next time. Also, too much wax can seemingly make the puck NOT stick to your blade I’ve found, so I make an effort to find a happy medium in application to deter snow buildup, but to encourage puck friction.

Definitely tongues in, and backs out. Also, laces wrapped around the ankle is heresy. Keep that shinpad tape clear, for crying out loud. Grip tape is a welcomed addition to the stick handle, but not altogether required.

You tape it up, however you want. Coat it in cheap wax (parafin canning type). Grab the heat gun and melt the wax into the tape creating waxed tape. Let it cool and set, cover again with a thin layer of Zog’s. Makes the wax cover the whole area so you dont have ice build up in a weird spot, and you dont have to lay it on thick to get longevity.

Skates are worn barefoot, tied as tightly as possibly, using all the eyelets. I do not wrap the laces around my ankle. I go tounges in and backs out of the shin pads. Sock tape once around just under the kneecap, then continuing around and down the calf diagonally into another single wrap around the leg just above the back of the skate.

I then tuck the laces up under the socks and tape twice around the ankle to seal them in. It makes my shinnys feel like they’re attached to my legs and I like everything on my legs and feet to feel like it’s a part of me, which is weird because I like my gloves loose. I wear 14″ Bauer Pro 4 rolls. Best glove out there.

Black tape on the blade – one strip on the bottom of the blade from the heel and around the toe, and then standard wide tape job (don’t be that guy splitting the tape) from heel to toe. I’ve devised a technique that I can get full coverage over the toe and not have to cut it with scissors. Also WHITE tape for the handle – it seems to make glove palms last longer.

Waxed laces are a must, definitely keep your laces tight and secure as opposed to non-waxed counterparts.

Also, I add a sticky-side of the tape (again, white) down my shaft for grip – I really don’t like the factory grips that have been pumped out the last few years. I’d prefer to take a non-grip stick and then apply my own.

Anyone remember the original silver/gold Easton Synergy’s? They used to come stock with some sort of “grip” or at least, friction coating, on the blade. I was never sure if it was meant to replace tape somehow, as the friction from the roughness theoretically could grab the puck a little better. I tried a no-tape for one practice and it was ok, but ended up reverting back to standard taping procedures.

Also, peep my Sid/Ovy write from a while ago if you haven’t already! http://bit.ly/dbfwNh