LIVERPOOL, N.Y. – The Messier Project, a collaboration between hockey icon Mark Messier and the head protection experts at Cascade Sports, has begun shipping the M11 PRO, a new evolution of the brand’s game-changing M11 hockey helmet, to hockey specialty dealers across North America. Consumers should be able find the helmet on U.S. and Canadian retailer shelves within days.
The M11 PRO is built around Cascade Sports’ revolutionary Seven Technology, an impact attenuation liner system that’s designed to more effectively manage energy transfer from direct impact. The M11 PRO blends the exclusive advanced protection with a new streamlined design, aggressive styling and improved features to create a new level of elite performance, fit and comfort.
The Messier Project’s M11 helmet has revolutionized head protection since its release in 2009. Today, more than 700 hockey teams and associations across North America wear and trust the M11. These players and teams are part of The Messier Project community, sharing a passion for the sport of hockey and a commitment to making head protection a top priority.
Designed and manufactured at Cascade’s new state-of-the-art Liverpool, N.Y. facility, the M11 PRO is a direct response to feedback from The Messier Project community over the past year.
“I’ve long said that when it comes to protection in the sport of hockey, the helmet is an athlete’s most vital piece of equipment,” said Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion. “The Messier Project’s rapid growth over the past two years is a testament to the fact that priorities in our sport are finally starting to change.
“The hockey community is listening and we in turn are listening to our players. Since Cascade Sports makes all of its products in the U.S., we were able to react quickly to develop the new M11 PRO, which brings the performance level up to match the advanced level of protection.”
The M11 PRO was previewed at the NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game on Dec. 31 as Messier — along with 11 other former New York Rangers and three ex-Philadelphia Flyers — wore the new helmet during the outdoor game.
Two top Minnesota boys high school teams — Hill-Murray and Minnetonka — were the first organized teams to wear the M11 PRO, switching from the M11 during the 2012 Minnesota state playoffs. Harvard University then became the first NCAA team to wear the M11 PRO, in the 2012 ECAC playoffs and tournament. Several NHL players also wore the M11 PRO at the close of the 2011-12 season.
Like the M11, the M11 PRO features Cascade Sports’ Seven Technology. On impact, Seven Technology compresses to laterally displace energy and within seconds, it completely resets to be ready for the next impact. Hockey is a multiple impact sport, and Seven Technology is proven to have total material reset and performs better than expanded polypropylene foam (EPP) on successive impacts*.
In addition to its advanced protection, the new M11 PRO is built for maximum performance and extreme comfort. The M11 PRO’s new, streamlined shell features a lower profile, sleek side lines, aggressive styling, and improved liner ventilation.
The new helmet also features an enhanced Pro Fit system, now called the Pro Fit 2. First introduced in Cascade Sports’ top-selling line of lacrosse helmets and updated for the M11, the Pro Fit is a 15-point, no tool micro-adjustment system for a truly customized fit. The new, high precision Pro Fit 2 system in the M11 PRO has an ultra-compact, tapered design for an enhanced 360° fit that eliminate pressure points for increased comfort.
The M11 PRO is available in a full size range (s-m-l), and a Combo version that includes a perfectly fitted Cascade certified steel wire face protector in a neutral gray color for enhanced vision.
In addition to the launch of the M11 PRO, The Messier Project’s mission to better protect the players has continued during 2011-12 hockey season with education on the important factors that contribute to – and affect – helmet performance. The “Get Tuned” educational campaign, which launched at the 2011 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, has expanded across North America with a grassroots marketing program and a public relations campaign aimed at hockey players, coaches and parents. Helmets are high tech gear, and just like your sticks and skates, proper care is essential for maximum performance – and when it comes to helmets, protection is performance.
For more information on The Messier Project, the M11 PRO, the M11 and the “Get Tuned” campaign, visit www.themessierproject.com. Also get the latest news from The Messier Project on Facebook and Twitter.
*Cascade Sports’ testing shows that the Seven Technology (liner system within the M11 and M11 PRO) typically performs 26% better than traditional EPP foam (the liner material within a standard hockey helmet) after the first impact, 107% better than EPP after the second impact and 140% better than EPP after the third impact.
