In December 2007, a young man named Trevor Leahy came up with one of the most creative equipment designs in hockey history: goalie camouflage, or the aptly named Goalieflage® gear pattern. The only problem? It was limited to hockey pads. But that limitation is behind us now.

Eleven is proud to announce the Guardian Goalieflage®, the perfect combination of the Eleven Guardian foam core stick with Trevor’s famous Goalieflage® pattern. It’s the perfect synergy between high performance equipment and psychological warfare.

In addition to our sticks, Eleven is also offering a special vinyl wrap that can be attached to any goalie stick for an instant and epic camouflage effect.

World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend offers an opportunity for girls of all ages to try ice hockey. It is IIHF’s hockey that girls will be introduced to basic skills in hockey in a positive, fun and safe environment; learn about opportunities in ice hockey in their community; learn about fair play, sportsmanship, and teamwork; and meet new friends and have a chance to fall in love with a new sport.

National Federations, leagues, clubs, teams and any group who has a passion for sharing hockey with the next generation of female hockey players are eligible to register to host. Programs participating in the events are the Lone Star Wolves and Northeastern Athletics.

Last month Eleven won the NW Minnesota Idea Competition. Next up is Innovate ND, a regional business plan competition.  Please show us your support and help us take home another 1st place prize.

Thanks for the support and encouragement!

When we reduce science down to the goal of finding the tiniest improvements rather than genuine breakthroughs, we lose sight of the bigger picture and find ourselves lost.  – Dr. David Agus

There’s a new generation of Warroad, Minn., residents who want to make hockey sticks.

Jay Fisher and James Marvin are Warroad natives in their mid-20s who are hoping to duplicate what Christian Brothers did in the city for almost 40 years.

Their company’s name is Eleven Hockey, a reference to the Highway 11 that runs in Canada from Toronto to International Falls, Minn., and then parallel to the Canadian border before ending at the Minnesota-North Dakota border. Highway 11’s hockey towns include Roseau and Warroad, Minn.

“About 60 to 70 professional hockey players have come from the small towns along Highway 11,” Fisher said. “There’s a lot of hockey interest there.”

Fisher said their hope is to bring hockey stick manufacturing back to the United States. Winning a $10,000 IDEA grant from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and other nonprofits would provide a boost to that goal.

“Sticks now are basically handmade, one at a time,” he said. “They’re so labor-intensive that they’re being built in other countries with lower labor costs.”

The partners’ plan is to use composites and technology to manufacture 100 sticks at a time at U.S. manufacturing plants.

“The sticks are being made in other countries because of the cheaper labor cost,” he said. “Our method allows us to make them here.”

The other IDEA finalists, hometowns in Minnesota and products are:

• Brady and Jodi Dyrdahl, Shevlin, The Sidekick: The Sidekick is a snowmobile work stand that stabilizes the sled, making it easier to perform repairs.
• Don and Sandra Buerkley, Park Rapids, American Log Maker. A renewable energy solution, it recycles animal waste into a useable and economical heat source for horse facilities.
• Mark Landes and Jennifer DeBarr, Bemidji, Shield Snip: A hand tool to simplify the process of trimming thick cables quickly and precisely.
• William and Julia Stephani, Puposky, Slot Rail Fence: A way to construct a stronger and more appealing wooden rail fence for do-it-yourself builders.

By Ryan Bakken at the Grand Forks Herald. You can reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send email to rbakken@gfherald.com.