Hockey Gift Guide Part Three: Apparel and Things

By Lisa Ovens

In part three of my suggestions, I went looking for some hockey inspired apparel, and came across some fun new looks for the hockey fan and/or player in your life.

But first, to briefly recap the guides...

Part One highlighted two artisans:  Michelle Reaney of Thunderpeep Designs (the designer responsible for the look of my two hockey books) and her Polar Nights line of paper and fabric products imprinted with her original designs. And the other Artisan, Ann Carney,  jewelry designer and creator of the FanBangle sports bracelets. To get the full story and see their work please click here for Gift Guide Part One.

Part Two covered the items available from my own Hockey & High Heels Collection, including the Two Book Set, VIP Badges and Hockey themed blank greeting cards. To see it all and do a  little online shopping, please click here for Gift Guide Part Two. Please note, both hockey books are only available  from the shop @ Hockeyandhighheels.com.

Now for Part Three...

Fans of  Vancouver Canuck/Team USA member, Ryan Kesler should know he has a line of sporty clothing, developed with a local Vancouver company, First Star. These aren't just clothes: they are wearable technology that happen to look pretty good.

This women's top has grown on me. The authentic hockey lace near the shoulder, at first look was a little different, but the more I see the more I like it. There is a guy's version as well. Model RK-204 $59.99 First Star tech includes Moisture System Transference (quick drying) Bio Sense Fit (hugs your curves) and BACT-OUT (helps keep your clothes smelling good for longer)
Model RK-204  $59.99

Well the ladies might enjoy this photo, and seeing their guys in Ryan Kesler brand underwear. These briefs have all the same attributes listed above. In other words  they keep dry, hug curves and will smell fresher...for longer?
Well, don't just buy him one pair!
Model RK 201  $21.99

For the complete Ryan Kesler RK17 line visit firststarsports.com. First Star Sports also has a local retail store in  downtown Vancouver: 851 Hornby Street, 604-681-6828

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She Plays Hockey is an Ontario based hockey clothing company that focuses on the hockey playing female. They have a great online shop, and today I am featuring their cute T-shirts with sassy slogans and quotes. Quotes like these...Sugar and Spice, but not on the ice, My Goal is...to Deny Yours (for goalies) and Pretty to Look at. Hard to Catch. T-shirt shown: Boys Wanted, Ladies regular fit, 100% cotton, $17.99. Click here to check out She Plays Hockey online store

Bela Hockey, Cammi Granato's company that outfits girl hockey players in gear and apparel made just for them, has introduced an inspiring gift set called "Granato's Gold". Includes an Air Mesh youth jersey, a personalized youth stick, a Katie cap, skating socks and practice socks.

Granato's Gold  $84
Choose red or blue
Visit Belahockey.com
 super cute!

And in the spirit of girls and sports, I present the "Girls Can't What?" Christmas ornament. Girlscantwhat. com is here to remind everyone that girls can do stuff, lots of stuff, anything they put their mind to.

Girls Can't What? hockey player ornament $22.45
available online at girlscantwhat.com

So, now I'm hear to remind everyone that Girls Can Play Sports. They don't have to sit on the sidelines or be content with waving the pom poms. Girls, get busy and get into the game!! Okay, I'm off of my soap box. Thanks for listening :o)

Happy Holiday Hockey Shoppin'!

Who Gives a Puck? Chicks who Give a Puck Interview Lisa Ovens

by Lisa Ovens

Last weekend I had a lengthy telephone interview with Sarah McNeil, hockey writer from Chickswhogiveapuck.com. I swear we could have talked hockey ALL day! Follow the link below to read the "Chick to Chick" interview...

Chicks Who Give a Puck interviews Lisa Ovens

About the Chicks...

Chickswhogiveapuck.com was founded by Courtney Beckham and Sara Stylkowski in February 2010. With a small army of female hockey writers, Courtney and Sara's hockey site cover every hockey league of interest, including International hockey tournaments, the NHL, the CWHL (Canadian Women's Hockey League), The AHL and more.

NHL fanatics can get the latest on their favourite teams as most all 30 teams have a chick assigned as a beat writer. make sure to "favorite" the Chicks and add it to your hockey site surf schedule!

For a list and bios of the Chickswhogiveapuck.com's writers, please click here

Hockey & High Heels: Holiday Gift Guide

by Lisa Ovens

One of the delights of hockey fandom is shopping for hockey themed gifts. We're all fans, and most of us have at least one hockey fan  in our lives that is very special. And searching for the perfect hockey gift to bestow can be a joyous occasion all on its own.

Lisa's Annual Gift Guide Part One highlights originality courtesy of two very talented designers: Michelle Reaney, owner of Thunderpeep Designs (she designed both of my hockey books) and jewelry designer, Ann Carney.

 I love to support independent companies, so I'm pleased to present Michelle and Ann's high quality creations that you won't find anywhere else!
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The FanBangle  us $55 (version shown)

Jewelry designer and FanBangle creator, Ann Carney offers sports fans a unique line of sports inspired jewelry that goes from hectic work day, to dinner, to ARENA with style!



Each FanBangle bracelet is hand-crafted with sterling silver and Swarovski Crystal in your team's colors and anchored by an officially licensed team logo charm in sterling silver. The bracelet feels good on the wrist. It has weight and will add a little sparkle to your game night outfit. Several styles and prices available.

The FanBangle is a great gift idea for the ladies who probably already own a team jersey, hat, scarf and tee. Don’t let their wrists be naked!!! Available in most NHL team colors. To order your FanBangles, please visit the website here:  FanBangles

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Thunderpeep Designs 2011 Calendar usd $ 11.25 sale price! 

This is the "Spirit of Hockey" in a gift...Thunderpeep (Michelle) is a former goal tender, and long time hockey fan. She's inspired by everything Finland/Scandinavian, and her Polar Nights Collection is a "must See".

The Peep's original patterns are delightful, and have been applied to this unique and fun desktop calendar, plus note paper, note cards, greeting cards, fabric storage buckets, and the most adorable pocket tissue pack holders you'll ever see (great to have on hand inside chilly hockey rinks on winter mornings).

"The Manon" Tissue Cozy 
usd $3.75 sale price!

the perfect stocking stuffer!          

See the entire Polar Nights Line and select some unique gifts created by one awesome hockey fan! Click the following link to visit

  Thunderpeep's Etsy Shop now 

Check back later for Part Two of Lisa's Gift Guide

Book Review: For the Love of Empty Net Goals

The first review has arrived for Lisa Ovens' long awaited sequel to Hockey & High Heels - A different Kind of Hockey Book. From journalist/columnist, Sandra Thomas at the The Vancouver Courier, Canada's largest community newspaper...

The Review...
                                                      
Vancouver-based hockey fanatic Lisa Ovens has done it again with For the Love of Empty Net Goals. In her sequel to Hockey and High Heels (every woman’s essential guide to hockey published in 2005), Lisa explores hockey culture in both Canada and the U.S. While Empty Net is written for both sexes, Lisa doesn’t miss the opportunity to champion female rights in what’s become the fastest growing sport in the world—women’s hockey.
In her second book, Lisa also puts her money where her mouth is and travels thousands of miles researching hockey teams and culture, during which she details a visit to the home of the Phoenix Coyotes and her search for the elusive Wayne Gretzky. In one chapter Lisa also describes in great detail her hilarious attempts to meet someone (hopefully a man) to accompany her to a hockey game in Anaheim after her wingman, Helen, cancels her trip to California at the last minute due to a family emergency.

Lisa isn’t afraid to give her opinion and give it she does, on everything from superstar player Sidney Crosby, the soap opera, The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives and the National Hockey League. And maybe it’s time the NHL listens up. Lisa’s proposal to include fan re-location for hockey teams in the Sunbelt with few followers makes sense. And she even promises to waive her no-trade clause with the Canucks to follow a team with a home base that includes sunshine and palm trees.

In For the Love of Empty Net Goals, Lisa uses humor, and a few songs, to explain the state of hockey today. I highly recommend it for hockey fans everywhere.

-Sandra Thomas is a long time journalist and columnist with the Vancouver Courier Newspaper, who, like Lisa, has faith the Canucks will one day bring home the Stanley Cup.