Cooper All Hockey Pants - A Look Back At An Icon
There's a story behind almost every piece of gear that finds its way onto the ice, and some items, well, they just seem to stick around in our memories, even if their time in the spotlight was brief. We're talking about those longer hockey pants, the ones that covered more of the leg than what you typically see these days. You might hear folks call them "Cooperalls," and that name, it has a rather interesting history, you see. It's a name that, in a way, has kind of become a general way to talk about any hockey pants that stretch a bit further down the leg. So, too it's almost as if the very word itself paints a picture of a specific era in the sport, a time when things were, perhaps, a little different in terms of how players dressed for the game.
These long-form hockey pants, they were once a distinct item made by a company known as Cooper Canada. This company, you know, it had quite a presence back in its day, particularly through the 1960s and right into the 1980s. They were a sporting goods maker, based up in Toronto, Ontario, which is in Canada, and they also made fine leather items. It’s pretty clear that for a period, they were a significant player in their field, putting out gear that players used on the ice and beyond. That, is that particular time, was when these pants really came into being and found their moment.
For a little while there, during the late 1970s and the early 1980s, these longer pants, the ones people now call Cooperalls, they truly had a moment in the hockey world. They represented a sort of different idea for how players might protect themselves and move around the rink. While their time as a regular sight on professional teams was somewhat short-lived, their influence, in some respects, has lingered. We can still find pieces of them, too, out there for those who remember them fondly or want to own a piece of that specific history. It’s a bit of a fun thing to think about, how a piece of equipment can leave such a lasting impression.
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Table of Contents
- The Origin Story of Cooper All Hockey Pants
- What Made These Cooper All Hockey Pants Different?
- Who Wore These Cooper All Hockey Pants on the Big Stage?
- Why Didn't the Cooper All Hockey Pants Become a Mainstay?
- The Legacy of Cooper All Hockey Pants - A Name That Stuck
- Finding Vintage Cooper All Hockey Pants Today
- How to Look for Your Own Cooper All Hockey Pants
- The Spirit of Cooper All Hockey Pants and Their Place in History
The Origin Story of Cooper All Hockey Pants
The story of these distinct hockey pants really starts with a company called Cooper Canada. This company, you know, was a maker of sporting goods and also created some fine leather items. They were based in Toronto, Ontario, which is in Canada, and they had their most prominent period from the 1960s through to the 1980s. During this time, Cooper Canada was, in some respects, a very important company in its field, putting out a variety of gear for athletes. It’s pretty clear they were quite active in the market then.
It was during this energetic period that the idea for these longer hockey pants came about. A gentleman named Brian Heaton was the person behind their creation. He served as the senior designer for Cooper Canada from 1972 to 1975. So, too it was during his time there that he put his mind to work on these particular pants. Heaton's vision brought to life what would become known as Cooperalls, a piece of equipment that, in a way, aimed to offer something new to players on the ice. This kind of innovation, you see, often comes from individuals who think a little differently about existing needs.
These pants weren't just for ice hockey, either. The text suggests they also found use in other stick-and-ball sports played on ice or hard surfaces. They were apparently used in ringette, which is a sport similar to hockey but with a straight stick and a ring instead of a puck, and also in broomball. Broomball, you know, is another game played on ice where players wear special shoes instead of skates and use brooms to hit a ball. This really shows that the design, in some respects, had a broader appeal than just the main ice hockey scene. It’s interesting how a piece of gear can find its way into different activities, isn't it?
What Made These Cooper All Hockey Pants Different?
What really set these Cooper all hockey pants apart was their length, you see. Unlike the traditional hockey pants that stop above the knee, these went all the way down to the ankles. They were, in a way, a single piece of protective clothing that covered a much larger area of the player's lower body. This was quite a departure from the usual setup where players wore shorter pants and then added separate shin guards and other leg protection underneath their socks. So, too it was a bit of a different approach to player safety and comfort on the ice.
The design aimed to provide continuous protection, which was, in some respects, the main idea. By having one long piece, the thought was that there would be fewer gaps where pucks or sticks could cause harm. The vintage Cooperall shell hockey pants, for example, are described as being a medium adult size and in good condition, though some might not include a girdle. A girdle, you know, is a separate piece of protective gear that fits snugly around the hips and thighs. The fact that some shells didn't come with one means the outer pant was the primary protective layer, perhaps with built-in pads.
You can find descriptions of these items, like the vintage Cooper all CG1 hockey pants pads, also in a medium size. This tells us they had padding built right into them, which was part of their appeal. Another example, the vintage Cooper Cooperall CRP pro referee hockey pants, in an adult large size, shows that even officials might have used this style of protection. The overall length, as described for one pair, was about 45 inches from top to bottom. This really gives you a picture of just how long these pants were, covering a good portion of the leg, which was, in some respects, quite a new look for the ice.
Who Wore These Cooper All Hockey Pants on the Big Stage?
For a short time, these Cooper all hockey pants did make an appearance in the professional leagues. The Hartford Whalers and the Philadelphia Flyers, two well-known teams, actually wore them for a few seasons. This was, in a way, a pretty big deal, as it meant a new style of equipment was being showcased at the highest levels of the sport. It's pretty interesting to think about how players on those teams stepped onto the ice with these distinct, longer pants. That, is that period, was when many people first saw them in action.
There was even a promotion for Cooperalls from 1983, which suggests the company was really trying to get them out there and make them a common sight. This kind of promotional effort, you know, is typical when a company wants to introduce something new and get people excited about it. The fact that professional teams were using them, even for a brief period, gave the pants a certain level of credibility and visibility. It’s pretty clear that Cooper Canada put effort into making them a popular choice for players at all levels.
The vintage pro stock Cooperall hockey pants, like those used by the Flyers, even had suspenders. These suspenders, you know, would help keep the pants up, especially during the fast-paced movements of a hockey game. The term "pro stock" means they were items made specifically for professional players, perhaps with some slight adjustments or different materials compared to what was sold to the general public. This just goes to show that these pants were, in some respects, serious gear for serious players, even if their time in the spotlight was somewhat limited. It’s pretty cool to think about those specific pants being worn by pros.
Why Didn't the Cooper All Hockey Pants Become a Mainstay?
Despite their brief appearance with professional teams and the promotional efforts, these Cooper all hockey pants didn't quite become the standard. The text mentions that they "never really caught on" in a widespread way. There are various reasons why a piece of equipment might not become a long-term fixture in a sport, even after a promising start. Sometimes, it comes down to player preference, or perhaps how the gear affects movement on the ice. So, too it's almost as if the players themselves, in a way, have the final say on what feels right and what helps them perform their best.
One common idea about why they didn't stick around more broadly involves how they might have affected a player's ability to slide on the ice after a fall. Traditional hockey pants, being shorter, allow players to slide more easily on their pads if they hit the ice. With the longer Cooperalls, the fabric might have created more friction, making it harder to slide and potentially increasing the risk of awkward falls or injuries. This kind of practical consideration, you know, can really influence whether a piece of gear gains lasting acceptance among athletes. It’s a pretty important point for safety and play.
Another factor could be the overall feel or comfort. Players get used to a certain way of dressing and moving on the ice. Introducing a dramatically different piece of clothing, even if it offers more coverage, might just not feel right to everyone. The hockey world, in some respects, can be quite traditional when it comes to equipment. While innovation is welcome, radical changes sometimes face resistance. So, too it's clear that while the idea was interesting, the practical application and player reception ultimately determined their fate as a brief, rather than enduring, trend in hockey gear.
The Legacy of Cooper All Hockey Pants - A Name That Stuck
Even though these specific Cooper all hockey pants didn't stay as the main style of protective gear, their name, "Cooperalls," has, in a way, taken on a life of its own. The text points out that the name has since become a general term for all hockey pants. This is a pretty interesting phenomenon, where a brand name becomes so well-known that it's used to describe any item of that type, regardless of who made it. Think of how some people say "Kleenex" for any tissue, or "Band-Aid" for any adhesive bandage. That, is that kind of thing, happens sometimes.
This shows the impact Cooper Canada had, even with a product that didn't become a permanent fixture in professional play. It means that the design, or at least the idea behind it, left a strong enough impression that the name stuck in the collective memory of the hockey community. So, too it's almost as if the very sound of "Cooperalls" conjures up an image of those long, distinctive pants, even if you're talking about a pair made by a different company entirely. It’s a pretty unique way for a product to leave its mark, isn't it?
For many hockey fans and players who grew up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the term "Cooperalls" likely brings back a sense of nostalgia. It represents a particular period in the sport's history, a time of experimentation with equipment. The fact that the name is still used today, even casually, speaks volumes about its lasting influence. It’s pretty clear that while the actual physical pants might be rare, the concept and the name itself have become a permanent part of hockey's informal language, which is, in some respects, quite a cool thing for a piece of gear to achieve.
Finding Vintage Cooper All Hockey Pants Today
For those who are interested in owning a piece of this unique hockey history, finding vintage Cooper all hockey pants is still possible. The text mentions places like Kijiji classifieds, where people buy, sell, or trade almost anything. You can often find new and used items there, including cars, real estate, jobs, and services. It’s a pretty big marketplace, so, too it's almost certain that someone somewhere might be looking to part with a pair of these old pants. This kind of online space, you know, makes it much easier to track down specific items from the past.
Other online platforms also serve as good places to look. The text mentions SidelineSwap, where you can explore hockey pants, girdles, and shells, and find deals on used and new equipment. This site is specifically geared towards athletes buying and selling their gear, which makes it a more focused place for hunting down vintage sports items. It’s pretty clear that these dedicated sports marketplaces are often the best bet for finding something as specific as vintage Cooperalls. That, is that kind of site, really helps connect buyers with sellers of specialized goods.
Auction sites are another avenue. The text refers to auctions for pairs of vintage Cooper Cooperall hockey pants, with details like starting bids and shipping costs. For example, one auction mentions a pair of vintage Cooper Cooperall hockey pants, size large, starting at one cent and going to the highest bidder. These auctions often provide specific measurements, like one pair measuring 45 inches from top to bottom, which helps potential buyers understand the item. So, too it’s a pretty common way to find unique or rare items, as people compete to get them.
How to Look for Your Own Cooper All Hockey Pants
If you're thinking about trying to find your own pair of these vintage Cooper all hockey pants, there are a few things to keep in mind. You'll want to pay close attention to the descriptions provided by sellers. For instance, some listings might specify "vintage Cooperall shell hockey pants medium adult size, good condition, no girdle." Knowing if it's just the shell or if it includes a girdle, or if it has built-in pads, is pretty important for what you're looking for. That, is that kind of detail, helps you know exactly what you're getting.
Sizes are also a key detail. Listings often mention specific sizes, like "medium adult size," "sz medium," or "adult large." One listing even gives specific measurements like "35x30" for vintage CCM hockey pants that are described as Cooperall style, thin. This kind of precise information, you know, is really helpful when you can't physically try on the pants. It’s pretty clear that checking these measurements against your own needs is a good idea to make sure they might fit.
Also, consider the condition. Descriptions like "good condition" are common. Some listings might specify "vintage pro stock" which means they were made for professional players, perhaps offering a slightly different build or quality. Others might be "vintage ccm hockey pants cooperall ice rollerblade thin." The mention of rollerblade use suggests some of these pants, in some respects, found a second life beyond ice hockey. So, too it’s pretty interesting how old gear can be repurposed or enjoyed for different activities, making their history a bit richer.
The Spirit of Cooper All Hockey Pants and Their Place in History
The story of Cooper all hockey pants, or Cooperalls as they are commonly called, is a neat little chapter in the history of hockey equipment. They represent a time when companies and designers were trying out new ideas to improve player safety and comfort. Brian Heaton's work at Cooper Canada during the 1970s brought a distinct vision to life, one that, in a way, challenged the traditional look of hockey players. It’s pretty clear that this kind of innovation, even if it doesn't last, is an important part of how sports gear evolves.
Their brief moment on professional ice, with teams like the Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers wearing them, cemented their place in hockey lore. Even though they didn't become the long-term standard, their memory, and indeed their name, have persisted. The fact that "Cooperalls" is now a generic term for all long hockey pants is, in some respects, a true testament to their unique impact. So, too it's almost as if the idea of them is more enduring than the physical product itself, which is a pretty cool thing to think about.
Today, these vintage items serve as reminders of a different era, a time when hockey gear had a slightly different look and feel. For collectors and enthusiasts, finding a pair of these old pants, whether it's a shell, a padded version, or even a referee's model, is a way to connect with that past. They are pieces of sports history, available on various online marketplaces, waiting for someone to appreciate their unique place in the story of hockey equipment. It’s pretty clear that their legacy, while perhaps unexpected, is quite a lasting one.
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