Sports Skunk

The Flash Puck: As Seen During The NHL on TNT Broadcast!

Seeing NHL players using our Flash Puck® live on NHL on TNT was an extraordinary moment for us. I’d go so far as to say it was a lifetime in the making; proof that Dad was right. If you can picture something, work harder than your competition and stay obsessed with the mission; anything is possible!  Our goal has always been to bring more energy, innovation and joy to the game we love so much. Hockey is more than just a sport to our family, and seeing Flash Puck® in the hands of the best hockey players in the world is a dream we’ve been working toward since the inception of the company! We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the team at TNT and to all the players who had a blast with our puck in the video – it’s unreal! A big thank you too, to everyone who’s joined us on the Flash Puck® journey these past 6 years. We’re just getting warmed up! Want to bring pro-level energy to your own training? Shop the Rechargeable Flash Puck as seen on NHL on TNT! Built for every pass, shot and stickhandling drill, put the “fun” in “phenomenal” performance!    Shop Flash Puck Under $20 Under $50 Individual, Team & Coaches’ Sets Under $20 Swedish Stick-Handling Ball - $7.00 Improve dexterity, speed and agility with the gift of a Joy Hockey Swedish stick-handling ball!  Snake Grip Sports Tape - $18.99  Available in 11 unique colours, players can show off their personality while taking their game to the next level with 1.9mm thick high-performance hockey stick grip tape. Designed to provide unbeatable stick control, it’s anti-slip textured and cushioned for comfort.  Under $50 Rechargeable Light Up Flash Puck - $34.88 Light up the game and their faces with smiles guaranteed! The NEW rechargeable Flash Puck, with wireless charging, helps your hockey player sharpen their accuracy, improve their coordination and develop confidence while having fun on the ice or in the driveway.    Bundles For Hockey Enthusiasts Silky Stick-Handler Hockey Bundle - $56.97 BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE!  This bundle deal on Snake Grip hockey tape lets you mix-and-match grip tape colours for a customizable gift of THREE stick tapes that’ll help your player dominate the game! Give the gift of unparalleled stick control with Snake Grip tape!  Deke and Dangle Hockey Bundle - $51.98 The perfect training accessories for hockey players aged 9 and up, this gift set consists of two Snake Grip hockey tapes, and two Swedish stick-handling balls! Choose their favourites from our 11 unique colourful grip tapes on offer and help them enhance their speed and agility in stick-handling with this made-for-each-other pair.  Hot Shot Hockey Bundle - $60.87 The perfect starter kit gift set sets your hockey star up with everything they need to take their game to the next level! This bundle includes one rechargeable Flash Puck (wireless charger included!), one Snake Grip sports tape and one Swedish stick-handling ball. This is the perfect gift for hockey players of all ages, because practice makes perfect! Pick your colours for both the rechargeable puck and the grip tape, for the ultimate customized gift.  Ready Player 1 Gift Set - $86.86 The perfect gift for hockey-loving siblings, this gift set includes one rechargeable Flash Puck (wireless charger included!) and two each of our unbeatable Snake Grip sports tapes and our Swedish stick-handling balls! Pick your colours for both the rechargeable puck and the individual sports grip tapes for the ultimate customized gift.    Coach’s Kit - From $650.70 The ultimate gift set for hockey teams, this bundle can be ordered for teams with 15-20 players at a cost of only $43 per player! The bundle includes one rechargeable Flash Puck, one light-up frisbee, and one Flash Puck swag bag per player for the end-of-season gift to end all end-of-season gifts! Gift the training tool that turns practice into pleasure this season! Upgrade to the Deluxe Coach’s Kit and ADD one Snake Grip Sports Tape per player for ONLY $52 per player.  Advanced Player Training Kit - From $779.70 This bundle includes two Snake Grip hockey tapes per player, and two Swedish stick-handling balls per player for a total cost of $52 per player. Available for teams with 15-20 players.  Upgrade to the Deluxe Advanced Player Training Kit and ADD one rechargeable Flash Puck (Wireless charger included!) per player for ONLY $86.86 per player.  With over 50,000 Flash Pucks sold, there’s a perfect gift for every hockey player available right here!   

Meet The Flash Puck: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About The Best ODR Puck On The Market!

Whether you’re an aspiring hockey hall of fame inductee, or enjoy a casual pond game in the winter, the Flash Puck is the best hockey puck on the market for you!

How To Build Your Own Outdoor Ice Rink: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've ever dreamed of having your own backyard ice rink, this winter could be the perfect time to do a little DIY. Building your own ice rink may seem daunting at first, but with some careful planning and preparation, it can be an exciting and rewarding project that brings you joy all winter long. Whether you're creating a space for family skating, casual hockey games, or a winter wonderland for your entire neighbourhood to enjoy, this step-by-step guide will walk you through absolutely everything you need to know about building and maintaining your own outdoor ice rink this winter.  Step 1: The Ideal Time to Start Building a Rink Arguably the most important factor in successfully building a lasting outdoor rink is timing. You'll want to wait until outdoor temperatures are consistently below freezing, typically around -5°C (23°F) or colder. In most parts of Canada, this means starting your rink anytime between late November and early January. It’s crucial to monitor the weather forecast to ensure there are no warm spells predicted as a warm spell could affect your progress.  Step 2: Choose the Right Location The ideal spot for a backyard rink is a relatively flat, open area with minimal sun exposure to reduce melting. The rink should also be built in an area that drains well to prevent flooding in the spring when your rink melts. Avoid areas near trees as falling leaves, branches (and snow build-up!) can disrupt your rink surface and cause maintenance headaches.  Step 3: Prepare the Ground Before you start building the frame for your ice rink, it’s important to prepare the ground. Doing the necessary prep now will save you tons of time and effort later when it comes to rink maintenance during the course of the winter. First, mow your lawn to its lowest setting and remove any rocks and roots from the area. If you have any uneven ground, lumps or bumps in your lawn, now is the time to flatten them or otherwise create a level surface to place your rink liner on. Creating a level surface is imperative to prevent water from pooling unevenly when you flood your rink.  Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to level the lumps and bumps in your lawn, and you’re not in the mood to bulldoze (which is always an option!), consider laying boards beneath your rink liner instead of laying it directly on the ground. By creating a level “stage” for your rink, you can achieve a smooth, level ice rink even in a yard full of “potholes”.  Beginner Bonus Tip: Certain commercially available DIY rink kits will include everything you need to build your own rink, including boards, liners and more. The process doesn’t need to be difficult for beginners, however, these kits can be expensive, and you can build your own rink without them if you follow our easy guide.  Step 4: Build the Frame & Secure the Liner  Once you’ve levelled your rink surface, you can start building a frame around the perimeter of your rink. This is usually done with wooden boards that are staked into the ground. You want your boards to be at least 8-12 inches high to hold in the water and keep the ice stable. Once you have your rink framed, lay down your rink liner. Your liner should be waterproof, to prevent water from seeping into the ground and it should also be slightly larger than your intended rink size so that it extends up the sides of your frame. Secure it to the boards and stakes (a staple gun works great) and ensure there are no wrinkles. For best results, your liner should be smooth and free from any debris prior to flooding the rink.  Step 5: Fill the Rink with Water Now it’s time to make the magic happen! It’s time to flood your rink! For best results, wait until temperatures are consistently below freezing. If you start too early in the season, the water may not freeze quickly enough or properly, leading to a bumpy or uneven skating surface. Use a garden hose to fill the rink in 2-3 inch layers of water. Allow each layer to freeze completely before adding more water to your rink to prevent uneven freezing. This process cannot be rushed and may take a couple of days but it’s essential if you’re trying to create a strong, smooth, long-lasting backyard ice rink. Avoid stepping on the ice until it is completely frozen to prevent cracks!  Pro Tip: Aim for a rink depth of 8” or more if you want your rink to last all winter, and/or if it’s going to be used often and/or by adults!   Step 6: Maintain Your Rink The key to having a great ice rink all winter long is ice maintenance! To maintain your backyard rink you should shovel snow off the surface daily to prevent melting and refreezing issues. You can use a flat-bladed shovel or a snow blower for larger rinks.  Pro Tip: There are steps you can take to keep your rink smooth and give it that mirror-shine without a Zamboni! 1) Flood the Rink Regularly  After each skating session, spray a thin layer of water over the surface of your ice rink using a hose or handheld sprayer. This helps fill in any cracks and smooth out any bumps.  2) Use a Scraper Using a large ice scraper can help remove rough spots before flooding.  3) DIY Ice Resurfacer  Build your own “Zamboni”! If you’re committed to maintaining your rink all winter, make your own life easier and build your own ice resurfacer using PVC piping and a towel. Attach the towel to the end of the pipe, then run water through the pipe to evenly distribute water while the towel smooths it across the ice.  Advanced Upgrades for Experienced Rink-Builders Once you’ve got the hang of basic rink building, you can start thinking about adding some super cool advanced features to make your rink the talk of the town!  Adding Lights for Night Skating  Make your backyard rink a self-contained winter wonderland with outdoor lighting! You can install outdoor lighting like floodlights, string lights, or LED spotlights which not only add to the ambiance, but also extend your skating time into the evening! Make the most of your ice rink by maximizing your ice time this winter.  Pro Pro Tip: If you’re an outdoor rink-building veteran, we challenge you to test your skills this year by adding strip lights inside your rink! Adding strip lights to demarcate zones for hockey practice is as simple and as difficult as laying and taping or stapling your strip lights to the ground or boards underneath your transparent rink liner. If you’ve done this before, or try it this year, we want to hear from you! Tag us in your rink pics on Facebook or Instagram this season and stand a chance to be featured on our feed or even in our next community newsletter! Install Rink Boards for Hockey  If your backyard rink is primarily for hockey practice, consider adding boards to protect players and to keep the puck from flying out. You can use plywood, plexiglass, or pre-made rink boards depending on your budget and skill level.  Create a Warming Area Set up a nearby "warming zone" with benches, chairs, or even a fire pit to give skaters a place to rest and warm up between sessions. You could also add outdoor heaters for an extra touch of comfort.  Paint Lines or Logos on the Ice If you want to get creative, but adding strip lights is outside your comfort zone, you could paint hockey lines or add a logo to your rink! Use food coloring or rink-safe paint, and apply it before flooding the final layer of water to seal the design beneath the ice but at a visible depth. Building an outdoor ice rink in your backyard is a fun and rewarding winter project that can provide hours of enjoyment for family and friends. By following these steps and tips, even beginners can create a smooth and well-maintained rink to enjoy all winter long. Whether you keep it simple or level up with pro features like lights and boards, your backyard rink will become a winter haven for skating, hockey, and memories!

The Ultimate Hockey Players’ Gift Guide

Finding the perfect gift for the hockey player in your life just got easier! Whether you’re shopping for a birthday gift, Christmas gift, or end-of-season surprise for the hockey player in your life, you’ve come to the right place. From high-performance gear to unique and useful hockey accessories, our comprehensive gift guide for hockey players ensures you’ll find the perfect gift for your hockey player. Get ready to score big with these top-notch hockey gift ideas for every occasion and budget! Gifts Under $20 Gifts Under $50 Individual, Team & Coaches’ Gift Sets Gifts Under $20 These gifts are absolutely perfect for hockey friends’ birthday parties, stocking-stuffers/basket-stuffers for Christmas and Easter, or as end-of-season prizes for the hockey team! Swedish Stick-Handling Ball - $7.00 Improve dexterity, speed and agility with the gift of a Joy Hockey Swedish stick-handling ball!  Snake Grip Sports Tape - $18.99  Available in 11 unique colours, players can show off their personality while taking their game to the next level with 1.9mm thick high-performance hockey stick grip tape. Designed to provide unbeatable stick control, it’s anti-slip textured and cushioned for comfort.  Gifts Under $50 MVP, Player of the Game, or just “Mom’s favourite hockey star”; this is the gift for hockey players under $40; whether for a holiday, birthday, or “just because”.   Rechargeable Light Up Flash Puck - $34.99 Light up the game and their faces with smiles guaranteed! The NEW rechargeable Flash Puck, with wireless charging, helps your hockey player sharpen their accuracy, improve their coordination and develop confidence while having fun on the ice or in the driveway.  See our Bundle Deal Gift Sets for more gifts under $50. Gifting Made Easy: Bundles For Hockey Enthusiasts  Struggling to pick a gift? Need multiple gifts for a hockey team? We’ve got you covered with expertly crafted bundle deals and kits for individual players, coaches and hockey teams! Silky Stick-Handler Hockey Bundle - $37.98 BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE!  This bundle deal on Snake Grip hockey tape lets you mix-and-match grip tape colours for a customizable gift of THREE stick tapes that’ll help your player dominate the game! Give the gift of unparalleled stick control with Snake Grip tape!  Deke and Dangle Hockey Gift Bundle - $46.78 The perfect training accessories for hockey players aged 9 and up, this gift set consists of two Snake Grip hockey tapes, and two Swedish stick-handling balls! Choose their favourites from our 11 unique colourful grip tapes on offer and help them enhance their speed and agility in stick-handling with this made-for-each-other pair.  Hot Shot Hockey Bundle - $54.78 The perfect starter kit gift set sets your hockey star up with everything they need to take their game to the next level! This bundle includes one rechargeable Flash Puck (wireless charger included!), one Snake Grip sports tape and one Swedish stick-handling ball. This is the perfect gift for hockey players of all ages, because practice makes perfect! Pick your colours for both the rechargeable puck and the grip tape, for the ultimate customized gift.  Ready Player 1 Gift Set - $78.17 The perfect gift for hockey-loving siblings, this gift set includes one rechargeable Flash Puck (wireless charger included!) and two each of our unbeatable Snake Grip sports tapes and our Swedish stick-handling balls! Pick your colours for both the rechargeable puck and the individual sports grip tapes for the ultimate customized gift.    Coach’s Kit - From $520.56  The ultimate gift set for hockey teams, this bundle can be ordered for teams with 15-20 players at a cost of only $26 per player! The bundle includes one rechargeable Flash Puck, one light-up frisbee, and one Flash Puck swag bag per player for the end-of-season gift to end all end-of-season gifts! Gift the training tool that turns practice into pleasure this season! Upgrade to the Deluxe Coach’s Kit and ADD one Snake Grip Sports Tape per player for ONLY $35 per player.  Advanced Player Training Kit - From $623.76 This bundle includes two Snake Grip hockey tapes per player, and two Swedish stick-handling balls per player for a total cost of $41 per player. Available for teams with 15-20 players.  Upgrade to the Deluxe Advanced Player Training Kit and ADD one rechargeable Flash Puck (Wireless charger included!) per player for ONLY $61.53 per player.  With over 50,000 Flash Pucks sold, there’s a perfect gift for every hockey player available right here!