Some hockey players lace up later in life. Others hit the ice before they’ve even fully mastered walking. That’s Easton.
At just two years old, Easton joined a "Daddy & Me" class where his dad, Matt, helped guide him through his very first strides on the ice. Now six years old, Easton is heading into 8U hockey and already flying. “I can go faster than when I’m running,” he told us proudly. “I like going fast.”
And he does it in his favorite shirt: his slime-green Titan BattleGear.
A family built around hockey (and safety)
Hockey has always been a part of Matt’s life. He started playing as a kid, stepped away from the game for 20 years, and found his way back through Easton. “When he was born, I wanted to get back into hockey,” Matt said. “Through him, I started coaching. Then, parents invited me to play on their team and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Now both father and son are on the ice regularly – Matt with his adult league team, the Flying Saucers, and Easton with his 6U squad, the Hippos. The bond they share around the game is something special. But it also comes with responsibility.
“You just keep reading the stories,” Matt said. “More and more skate blade incidents. It’s not just freak accidents. These things are happening. And I’ve got kids – I should probably protect myself.”
That’s how Matt and Easton found Titan BattleGear.
Finding the right gear (that Easton actually wants to wear)
Before Titan BattleGear, they tried multiple brands. “The first shirt was so tight I had to lift him in the air just to get it off,” Matt said. Another had sleeves so long Easton looked like he was flapping around. “It was kind of annoying.”
But with Titan?
“He didn’t want to take it off,” Matt laughed. “He wore it in the car. Sometimes he even wears it after practice. And I just think – whatever makes you happy, buddy.”
Easton agrees. “It feels good,” he said. “If I ever fall and someone falls on me, it won’t hurt if the skates scrape me.”
From the wrist guards to the slime
Matt was immediately drawn to the full protection Titan offered – not just the neck, but the wrists too. “The wrist guards were actually the big selling point for me,” he said. “I already wear cut-resistant socks, but they’re not great. I’ve always thought about how vulnerable the wrists are.”
Easton, meanwhile, had other things on his mind: the slime. “It kind of looks like slime,” he said, grinning. “I like that.”
When asked what his dream Titan BattleGear design would be? “Rainbowish. One part white, one part blue, one part green.” (Our R&D team took notes.)
Performance that stands up
Both Matt and Easton have been wearing their shirts for over a few months now, washing them weekly, and they still look brand new. Even with the extra sweat that comes from playing in sunny Phoenix, the temperature regulation holds up.
“It is warm,” Matt admitted. “But it’s manageable. I sweat a lot, and it still feels comfortable. Maybe more mesh in the future could help – down the sides or upper back. But overall? It’s great.”
And even though Matt’s the only one on his team currently wearing a neck guard, he stands by the choice. “Some of the guys ask about it. I tell them: yeah, it’s more expensive. But it’s the best thing I’ve found. And I’m willing to pay for the best.”
Looking ahead: what’s next for Team Titan?
Matt had a few ideas for us – like making socks and even a cup holder/Velcro sock/legging combo. “It’d be kind of cool – just one piece of equipment with style, protection, and functionality,” he said. “All in one.”
And Easton? He’s already dreaming up his next shirt design.
Together, they’re the kind of hockey family that keeps pushing the game forward – thinking about safety, performance, and how to make it all a little more fun.
