Jeffrey Azzolin has invented a spring-loaded skate that is designed to improve performance and help prevent injuries. Azzolin, who graduated from mechanical engineering in June, developed Bladetech hockey skates after noticing that some skates on the market boast increased speed due to their lighter construction. He created a new technology in the form of a spring-loaded blade that allows skaters to go even faster and protect against injuries as part of an engineering design project.
“Hockey was my passion and I saw a need on the market for improvement,” says Azzolin, a former recreational hockey player. “Depending on the level of player, even a slight increase in speed can make it easier to manoeuvre into different positions quickly and develop more opportunities for scoring. So this technology could make the difference for many between a winning and a losing season.”
Professional hockey players who can’t afford to be sidelined with an injury could benefit from Bladetech skates. Azzolin says an additional benefit to the technology is that it can also prevent injuries to hips, knees, and ankles. [news release]