Globe And Mail, November 3rd 1981

 By ROBERT McKENZIE They are touted as uniforms of the future - equipment that will revolutionize the look of hockey.

In the Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League, however, the jury is still out on whether Cooper's Cooperalls and CCM's Total Protection Package are good alternatives to the traditional equipment.

Cooperalls and TPP are brand names for the close-fitting, lightweight girdle with a coverall-type shell that is threatening to make the conventional hockey pant, garter belt and socks obsolete.

CCM is supplying Philadelphia Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate, Maine Mariners, as well as many U.S. colleges with the TPP. Cooper has outfitted the Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League with its Cooperalls.

The new look has become popular with Metro Junior B teams and now minor hockey is getting its first taste of the equipment.

North York Flames, with nine entries in the MTHL's Major Division, have equipped four teams - minor atom, atom, minor peewee and peewee - with Cooperalls. "The big thing we'll be looking at," Flame general manager Art Reid says, "is how well they stand up. There's no question that they look smart and the girdle offers better protection than pants. But it's too early to tell how durable they are. "When we get three-quarters of the way through the season, we'll make a decision on whether we want them (Cooperalls) for our other five teams. Ideally, we'd like to have the entire organization in them, but we'll have to wait and see." There have been some minor problems with the new uniforms, but officials from both companies - Cooper and CCM - say it is a case of working out bugs.

The girdles were said to be too hot, although that complaint has subsided now that players are more accustomed to the snug fit. Junior hockey teams have also noted that the outer shell is prone to tearing, especially in the crotch area. "A lot of the tearing was due to improperly fitted equipment," says Bob Shelston, Cooper's senior product manager. "Many players were wearing a shell that was too small, but we have corrected that problem. There is, of course, some tearing due to skate cuts - the same type of thing you run into with socks - but they are easily repaired, and I don't see that as a significant problem." The cost factor is something that gives minor hockey organizations second thoughts. The Cooperalls pro outfit retails for about $125, and a senior set (for midgets and bantams) goes for between $105 and $110. The children's outfit (peewee and younger) is about $80. An alternative to the coverall look is offered. The girdle can be purchased with a short shell that makes it look similar, if not identical, to a traditional hockey pant. In fact, five Toronto Maple Leaf players - Barry Melrose, Fred Boimistruck, Bob McGill, Gary Yaremchuk and Jim Benning - wear the Cooperall girdle with short shell. McGill, Yaremchuk and Benning wore the full Cooperalls last season when they played junior hockey in the WHL.

In the MTHL, many of the major organizations are in the experimentation stage. Here's a survey of some MTHL Major Division general managers' views: Don Routley, Young Nationals, (two teams wearing Cooperalls) - "We've had great success with them at the minor atom level, but there has been some tearing problems with the peewees. I don't know what the long-range implications will be. Durability is the most important thing. A set would have to last at least 2 1/2 years for them to be practical. The protection and freedom of movement seem excellent so far." Peter Bourke, Mississauga Reps (one team outfitted in Cooperalls) - "Our minor midget coach took it upon himself to arrange it, and we approved it. Right now, I'd say it's too expensive, too much of an outlay all at once. We never replace a tremendous amount of equipment all at once, so I don't know if we'll ever switch over. Although I suppose once all the pro teams start wearing them, it's inevitable that everyone will switch." Gerald Wilks, general manager of Toronto Marlboros' minor system (no teams outfitted) - "I haven't heard anything negative about them, but it's strictly a case of economics. We can't afford them now, and I don't know if we'll be able to afford them in the future." Jack Harper, Toronto Red Wings (no teams outfitted) - "We just bought all new equipment so we won't be getting into it now. I've heard a lot of pros and cons so we'll let the other people get their feet wet and see what the trend is." Maurice Regimbal, St. Michael's (Junior B team wears TPP) - "We'll closely watch our junior B club and see what the results are there. A complete change over would be expensive, but the equipment seems to offer excellent protection." Both Shelston and Rick Morris, CCM's team sales manager, say the day isn't far away when every team will sport the new look. "Let's put it this way," Shelston says. "There are a lot more minor hockey teams wearing Cooperalls this season than we ever could have predicted." "The TPP offers so much protection and it's so light," Morris says. "I believe all levels of hockey will do away with traditional hockey pants in the next five years."