Jenniskens rocking old school TK chest pad

If it ain't broke don't fix it is a phrase often associated with a lot of things. And when it comes to goalkeeping, equipment can often be a very personal thing. Growing up with access to decent kit can sway your opinion, but it's not that uncommon for goalies to look after kit well and continue using it for their whole career even. Take Martin Brodeur's aged body armour for instance, which he played in for many a year after starting his NHL career with it! And it would appear that Oranje Zwart's goalkeeper Mark Jenniskens is a fan of one of the old TK body armour designs. The chest pad used is a lot like the original Obo chest pad, with plated foam spread out across the chest to provide great freedom of movement and flexibility for saves. Something that I'm sure Jenniskens is fond of for the reactive style he plays. It just goes to show that kit built to last with specific advantages can have its uses in the modern game!

Courtesy of Peter Savage's photography, you can just about see the body armour design under Jennisken's jersey, the indent visible:

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/4a48846

Jenniskens also back in TK rhp

It's also worth making note of Mark Jenniskens switch back to the TK rhp after dabbling with the Obo Hi Control rhp. Jenniskens joined other Dutch international goalkeepers Stockmann and Blaak in using the glove for its larger blocking surface for shot stopping. But it looks as if Stockmann is the only goalkeeper of the four (Sam Van der Ven being Obo sponsored and always using the rhp!) to be still using the glove after having made the change himself. Obviously this is Jenniskens' last season playing at the elite level so it won't be possible to keep track of his kit set-up following the Euro Hockey League fixtures he is currently taking part in!

Pirmin switches to TK Plus left hand glove

In Holland, another kit sighting for the season so far, for switched kit/changes, is Pirmin Blaak using a new TK Plus lhp rather than the Brabo one he switched to previous (presumably using the Brabo after international training sessions and competition involvement with Stockmann). Interesting to see as it seems to be a glove that's more easily available in Germany, with Reuss and Weinhold and co. using them. With all three of Blaak, Stockmann and Jenniskens all having used the Brabo left hand quite recently, it's interesting to see the change, even if it's not a huge scale! Not totally insignificant, as these style of gloves are seemingly harder to come by these days (although Kindler is using one over in Canada!) and offer different saving properties to the generic square shaped TK lhp. But it will be interesting just to see over the course of the season whether or not he will stick to the equipment change, or whether he'll change his mind! Obviously with Stockmann being sponsored by Brabo and  presumably as well (assuming!!), would be interesting to know if it's also due to the saving style offered (more rebound, more downward direction on the rebound due to inner curve), although they are all still using the Obo hi rebound rhp for its blocking properties, which says something about its advantages and the Dutch style of patient, upright goalkeeping and their reactive approach to save making.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/janlelie/9763140795/in/set-72157635543916143