Cooperalls
Encyclopedia
Cooperalls are a type of discontinued ice hockey equipment
, which were made by hockey manufacturer Cooper
. Cooperalls were invented by the late Senior Designer, Brian Heaton, who worked for Cooper Canada for 5 years from 1972-1975. Over the girdle is a shell, which came in two sizes: a traditional looking hockey pant (down to the knee) or a long pant (down to the ankle). The long pants became synonymous with the name Cooperalls and were worn in place of hockey shorts and did not require leggings. Cooperalls were first used professionally by the Philadelphia Flyers
in the 1981–82 NHL season. The Hartford Whalers
wore them for the 1982–83 NHL season. Following considerable criticism and concern for player safety, as they provided less friction with the ice during a fall causing players to slide more violently into the boards, the NHL banned the use of long pants. However, the girdle and short shell design is still available from some hockey manufacturers.
Ice hockey equipment
In ice hockey, players use specialized equipment both to facilitate the play of the game and for protection as this is a sport where injuries are common, therefore, all players are encouraged to protect their bodies from bruises and severe fractures...
, which were made by hockey manufacturer Cooper
Cooper Canada Ltd.
Cooper Canada Ltd. was a sporting goods and fine leather goods manufacturer based in Toronto, Canada. In its heyday, the 1960s through to the 1980s, the company was Canada's leading producer of leather baseball gloves and protective ice hockey equipment...
. Cooperalls were invented by the late Senior Designer, Brian Heaton, who worked for Cooper Canada for 5 years from 1972-1975. Over the girdle is a shell, which came in two sizes: a traditional looking hockey pant (down to the knee) or a long pant (down to the ankle). The long pants became synonymous with the name Cooperalls and were worn in place of hockey shorts and did not require leggings. Cooperalls were first used professionally by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1981–82 NHL season. The Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
wore them for the 1982–83 NHL season. Following considerable criticism and concern for player safety, as they provided less friction with the ice during a fall causing players to slide more violently into the boards, the NHL banned the use of long pants. However, the girdle and short shell design is still available from some hockey manufacturers.
