Vancouver Canucks defenceman Luke Schenn says he has used zip ties across the front of his skates for nearly a decade to reduce boot flex and keep the skate boot together during hard skating.
The Story
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Luke Schenn has a non-standard approach to keeping his skates functional, saying he has added zip ties across the bottom two eyelets of each skate to keep the boot from separating when he drives power from his stride.
Schenn, who said he is not overly attached to gear details such as specific brands and models, described the underlying issue as one tied to his skating mechanics and body type. He said he is “a heavier guy” who breaks down skates more quickly, and that when he pushes hard, the skate “pushes apart,” creating excess give in the boot.
In Schenn’s view, the zip ties provide additional stiffness where the boot flex becomes a problem, particularly near the toe box area. He also characterized the setup as something of a compromise compared with typical high-end skate design, noting that top-end skates rely on very stiff boot structures to transfer energy efficiently to the ice.
The defenceman said the idea started when he was on his fourth NHL team and his skates were falling apart, recalling that veteran equipment manager Stan Wilson suggested trying zip-tying them after Schenn asked whether anything stiffer was possible. Schenn said he began using the method in Arizona and that Wilson has since continued in equipment roles as the team moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix and now to Utah, heading into his 37th NHL season.
Schenn said he encountered a new problem while with the Winnipeg Jets, where the zip ties would snap. Red “Hamilton,” the Canucks head equipment manager, said the team responded by testing stronger options sourced from a home-improvement retailer, and Hamilton later said they now order Schenn’s zip ties through Amazon.
Asked about the personal preference for his setup, Schenn joked that he is “probably” the only NHL player to use zip ties in the front of the skates and added that he appreciates the practical benefits even if others would find it unusual.
The zip ties are not Schenn’s only protective customization. He said he wears moulded shotblockers, which cover the skate boot, explaining that he started using them in his rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Schenn said he began after Ron Wilson, in 2008, wanted defencemen to challenge the power play from the flank by turning their skates to block shots, and that moulded custom shotblockers were newly available.
Schenn also pointed to potential future changes he believes would better match his needs, saying he would like a ski boot-style ratchet system to tighten the skate across the top. He said ratchets present two concerns: they could be more vulnerable to breakage when blocking shots and would be harder to replace than laces, and they would likely need additional shotblocker protection overtop.
On aesthetics, Schenn said he does not believe a ratchet-style system would be considered good-looking, adding with a laugh that “no one wants to have that bad a style, besides me.”
Canucks equipment staff, including Brian “Red” Hamilton and assistant equipment manager Brodie St. Jacques, were present when Schenn discussed the approach and, according to their reaction, were amused by the extent to which his skates have been modified. Schenn’s routine highlights how individual playing style and physical demands can drive practical equipment tweaks even in an era when teams typically standardize gear.
← More stories