How one terrifying moment led a hockey mom to Titan.
Kathryn Wheeler will never forget the moment her daughter Susie dropped to the ice clutching her neck.
“I was right there. I saw the collision happen right in front of me,” she says. “When Susie fell and grabbed her throat, I panicked. I didn’t know what happened. I just knew something was very wrong.”
It wasn’t until they got off the ice and started to calm down that Kathryn realized what had actually happened. The standalone neck guard Susie was wearing – something they thought would protect her – had been ripped clean off. They found it later, stuffed up inside her jersey.
“That was the moment where my husband and I looked at each other and said: Money doesn’t matter when it comes to a life – especially our kid’s.”
The wake-up call
Like many parents, Kathryn thought a traditional, strap-on neck guard was enough. It was required, after all. Susie had been wearing one from the start, just like the rest of the kids. But after the accident, their confidence in that gear disappeared.
“We thought we were doing the right thing,” Kathryn says. “But no one ever expects to see a skate blade come up near your child’s neck. That was never on our list of real fears – until it happened.”
The Wheelers immediately started researching integrated protective shirts. They tried a few different brands but couldn’t find anything that fit Susie’s small frame or didn’t cause new problems.
“The smallest size was way too big. It was baggy, the sleeves were long, and the velcro kept ripping her hair out. She hated wearing it.”
A better experience
Then they found Titan BattleGear.
“I saw your ads on Facebook – the bright colors caught my eye,” Kathryn says. “I wasn’t sure it was the real deal, because you see a lot of gimmicks online. But once we got the shirt, it was game over. It’s just built different.”
For Susie, the difference was immediate.
“It makes me feel more safe,” she says with a grin. “It’s comfy. It doesn’t have velcro, so it doesn’t pull my hair. I feel amazing in it.”
She even told us it helps her perform better on the ice. “It keeps my body temperature perfect,” she said. “And it makes my shoulder pads feel more comfortable too.”
Now, Susie suits up for every game in her Titan shirt – and her confidence is back.
“I’m not scared anymore. I feel ready.”
A mom on a mission
Kathryn hasn’t kept this story to herself. She saved the video of Susie’s accident from LiveBarn and posted it on Facebook, sharing a warning with her hockey community. She also talks to parents at the rink, especially ones who are still using standalone neck guards.
“I tell them: watch the video. This happened. And now that we’ve tried Titan, I’d never go back. A shirt is worth a life. You can’t replace it.”
More than gear
Susie’s favorite part? The colors. “They remind me of Tie-Dye,” she says proudly, tugging on the sleeve of her Miami Vice BattleGear. “They’re vibrant. I like that.”
Her brother Matthew wears Titan too – he picked the green slime drip version. The two played together last season on the Sioux Falls Flyers – Neon Yellow Mite team, where they entered the playoffs as the #4 seed… and won the championship. Susie scored her first-ever goal during the playoffs and Matthew scored the overtime winner in one of their most exciting games. And yes, Kathryn got it all on camera. “I couldn’t believe I caught that moment,” she said. “It was unforgettable!”
Next season, the two will be separated for the first time as Matthew moves up to Squirts, but the family’s love for the game (and their Titan gear) isn’t going anywhere.
“We’re just grateful,” Kathryn says. “We finally found something that fits her. That keeps her protected. And that she actually wants to wear.”
After our chat, Kathryn followed up with a message that says it all:
“I’m so glad we found such an amazing product, with people that actually care and stand behind their product. It’s very few that really care and spend the time reaching out to people and hearing about their experiences. I’m grateful we found Titan, and we will be customers for life.”
A final word from Susie
“It’s Titan’s BattleGear. If you’ve ever had an accident like me, you have to get this.”
And... "Make sure everyone knows I love the Dallas Stars!"
