When your day job involves treating life-threatening injuries in a pediatric trauma center, you see the world a little differently. For Kristie, a registered nurse with 17 years of experience in a Level 1 pediatric emergency room, safety isn’t just something she thinks about. It’s something she lives.
And when it comes to her 11-year-old daughter Avelyn, who’s been playing hockey since the age of five, safety isn’t negotiable.
A hockey family from the start
Kristie started taking Avelyn to the rink when she was just two years old. “She fell in love with the sport almost immediately,” Kristie says. These days, Avelyn spends up to 12 hours a week on the ice, depending on the season, playing for the Lovell Knights in Raynham, MA.
As a hockey mom who also works 24–36 hours a week as an ER nurse, Kristie lives a life of carefully chosen priorities. She often takes the 3 a.m.–3 p.m. shift just to be home for practices and games. “People think I’m crazy,” she laughs, “but I love being at the rink. That’s my happy place after a hard day at work.”
When your job shapes your parenting
Kristie has seen a lot in the ER – broken bones, concussions, and more. But the injuries that haunt her most are the ones that could’ve been prevented.
“I try not to let what I see at work impact what I let my kids do,” she says. “But there are just some things I can’t unsee. I’ll never forget what it’s like to watch a family go through the worst day of their life because of something that could’ve been avoided.”
One particular category of injuries she takes seriously? Lacerations from skate blades and stick slashes, especially those to the wrists and neck. “People don’t realize how fast something like that can become life-threatening,” she says. “The major vessels that run along the sides of the neck are critical. A cut there is devastating.”
That’s why Avelyn has worn a turtleneck-style neck guard since day one. Not because it was mandatory. Because Kristie wasn’t willing to risk it.
The search for something better
Over the years, Kristie tried countless brands of protective base layers. Many were uncomfortable, didn’t fit right, or simply didn’t hold up. Some were so bulky they felt like “a dog collar,” according to Avelyn. Others would slide down, scrunch under shoulder pads, or wear out after a season.
And worst of all, Kristie didn’t feel confident they were offering the protection her daughter needed.
So when it was time for a new base layer, Kristie did what any passionate mom and medical professional would do, she dove into the research. That’s when she discovered Titan BattleGear.
“I honestly didn’t even know there were different levels of cut resistance until I found Titan’s website,” Kristie admits. “But once I did, it changed everything. I knew I needed the highest level of protection available.”
She ordered several new options from different brands. And returned all of them except the Titan.
Love at first fit
The moment Avelyn put on her Titan, her reaction was immediate: “Mom, I really like this one.”
The shirt checked every box. The neck guard was higher, contoured along her jaw and under her ear, and stayed in place through practice. The fabric was soft and breathable, with added thickness at the wrists and neck – exactly where protection matters most. And the best part? No velcro.
“She’s always hated how velcro pulls her hair,” Kristie says. “The stretch collar is a huge win.”
Kristie noticed that even after a full practice, the neck guard hadn’t scrunched or slid down. For the first time, she wasn’t adjusting gear or worrying about protection. “I could just enjoy watching her play.”
The gear that brings peace of mind
As a nurse and a mom, Kristie understands that no equipment can eliminate all risks, but she also knows that some risks just aren’t worth taking.
“We spend so much on sticks, skates, and tournaments,” she says. “But this is a piece of gear that could literally save your child’s life. I don’t know how anyone can justify cutting corners on something this important.”
For Kristie, Titan BattleGear isn’t just a better product. It’s a non-negotiable.
“We’re already planning to buy another one when new colors come out,” she says. “It’s the first time both Avelyn and I have loved the same piece of gear.”
And when safety, comfort, and confidence come in one package, it’s a win for every parent and player on the ice.
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