Hey, I know what you're thinking.. "How did Matt score a Steve Passmore Admirals Used Blocker??"
Well, let me tell you about this place called eBay. See I happened to find this rare gem on the bay for a measly $20. The starting bid was $20.
I bid $20.01 ... you know, to be safe and all.
Seven nerve racking days later, I win the glove. Yes!
After waiting a few days for delivery, this giant box arrived at my office. I ripped open the box. There it was, my new Eagle blocker in all it's glory.
I try it on. Man, this is small. The board is smaller than any of my other blockers and what's with this "Passmore" name on the wrist?
Then it hits me. Steve Passmore? No way! The same Steve Passmore who played 93 NHL games? A legend!
So here is the blocker:
I couldn't find any pictures of Passmore playing with this exact blocker. I know he was with the Admirals for 31 games from 2001 to 2004 in their old navy and gold days and wore this exact model glove with his time with the Blackhawks:
Showing It Off:
So I grabbed my new glove for game last night. The palm is a little small. I guess Steve has small hands. My fingertips are pushing through the elastic gussets at the end of each finger. No harm, it's Steve Passmore's glove right?
So the NHL sized board seems tiny. Also the palm is centered really low on the glove. Seems like most of the board will protect my wrist and arm. The weight is average. Nothing that wows me. Maybe it's all the sewn in letters for "Passmore" that makes it heavy.
The Odyssey has a tapered board thickness like all modern blockers. The taper starts at the flare at the top of the board though. Different but cool because it's Steve Passmore's glove.
The sideboard is attached with a single velcro strap. I loosen it to provide a few more milimeters of coverage. I feel like I'm cheating as I do this. Why? I play late night men's league hockey.
Then I tighten it back. I don't want to get Steve Passmore in any kind of trouble. Last thing I want to do I illegally modify Steve's glove and be the start of any internet rumors about him. That's not fair and not cool.
Sorry Steve for even thinking that.
I pair my Eagle blocker with my classic white T4000. Looks good together. I mean who will notice anything else I'm wearing compared to the glove with Steve Passmore's name stiched in?
At The Rink:
So I'm in the locker room. I nervously reach into the bag and pull out the Eagle. I look around the room expecting looks of awe and amazement... nothing. So I put the glove on my hand and kinda tilt it so the "Passmore" name is more obvious, maybe the other guys just didn't see the name... nothing. So I then say to the guy getting dressed next to me "You know Steve Passmore?" Figuring the guy would give me a jaw dropping look, I prepare my next line in my head "well I'm wearing his glove" for delivery.
The guy responds "No. does Steve play with us or something?"
I think "
does he play with us"?
Are you serious man? I n your dreams maybe...
Warm Ups:
So I walk onto the ice with my Steve Passmore glove now knowing how Steve must have felt preparing for a game. I look into the stands and notice some kids who must have thought I was Steve playing here and were waiting for an autograph. I feel a responsibility to Steve to uphold his name at the Flyers Skate Zone. I skate by the kids and nod. Must have made their night.
I did it for Steve.
So I get in the net. The first player fires a shot high and on my blocker side.
Boom! Off the Eagle Odyssey blocker and into the corner.
Next shot - same result. Boom!
After seeing two dozen shots in warmups, I think 10 were off the Steve Passmore blocker. This is something odd for me and my team.
I wonder why so many off the Eagle. I figure that the guys just wanted the thrill of shooting at a
PROFESSIONAL glove and one used by Steve Passmore no less.
Must have been a treat for these poor working class guys.
I pity them.
It's the least I could do though. I know it will be a memory that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Glad I could provide it.
The game starts and the young kids leave the stands. I guess all they wanted was the recconition of Steve Passmore. Done.
I face an array of shots. Few more off the Eagle. It has great balance and feel.
The fingers are too shot are are annoying. Infact during play my pinky finally pushes through the gusset and is now feeling the cool rink air. I look down at the hole and think "this must be the Passmore pinky hole mod"... cool.
Later in the game, the sweat is rolling down my face. I reach in and wipe it off my nose with Steve's glove on. I get a nice whiff of the smell from the glove.
Not just any smell, I think "That's Steve Passmore's AHL smell". Kinda gross yet ... kinda cool.
Final Thoughts:
1. The Passmore glove is too small for me.
2. It smells.
3. It dosen't match any other gear I own.
4. The palm is too low.
5. There is a hole in the pinky.
6. Steve Passmore stinks... literally.
7. NHL sized board feels tiny to me.
8. Oddly heavy.
9. Not worth the $25 for a new palm sadly.
10. Nobody knows Steve Passmore.
11. Even fewer heard of the Norfolk Admirals.
Overall:
Best $20 I ever spent.