Sales Of Protective Hockey Socks Soar Following Star Player's Achilles Injury

Sales and use of "so-called cut-resistant hockey socks made of Kevlar and other protective materials have increased at all levels of the sport since" Penguins LW Matt Cooke's skate almost completely severed Senators D Erik Karlsson's left Achilles tendon Feb. 13, according to Bob Cohn of the PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW. Karlsson "underwent surgery and will miss the rest of the season." Montreal-based Tuff-N-Lite Hockey President David Nerman said that sales of the socks "have risen about 70 percent since Karlsson's injury, with orders coming in from as far away as Norway and Australia." Bauer Performance Apparel Category Manager Beth Crowell said that retailers "told her the socks were quickly moving after the injury." Cohn noted the socks are "designed to protect the area between the shin pad and the top of the skate." Penguins Equipment Manager Dana Heinze said that five players on the team "wear the socks." Cohn noted some of those "who don't are considering them" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/5).