Let’s talk goalie gear. San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov doesn’t have the flashiest designs, but the technical side of it works wonders for him.

Before I get into the first goalie breakdown of my Sharks Equipment Breakdown series, I want to preface that I am not a goalie. Goalie pads are even more specific with different options. Finding notes on exact sizing, which makes a world of difference for goalies, as well as other small options, is hard to find.

For reference, goalie pads are measured in inches and can be 35+*insert number*, which affects both their width and height. There are customizations on how hard a puck can bounce off a pad. Here’s my attempt to give you what I can on goalie gear.

Leg Pads: Bauer Vapor FlyLite

The FlyLite is also for goalies! Bauer introduced the FlyLite series within the last 1-2 years, and it has become one of its greatest successes. For Askarov, the FlyLite has provided him with an efficient, flexible, and strong pad. The San Jose Sharks goalie has tremendous agility and flexibility, and asks the most from his leg pads.

The FlyLite pants were designed with a slight adjustment to add better coverage when a goalie is in their butterfly (on their knees) or RVH(Reverse vertical horizontal)/VH (vertical horizontal) while covering a post.

Here’s what PureHockey.com says about the FlyLite pads:

“The Bauer Vapor Flylite leg pads feature an all-new Rebound Boost core with a CURV composite thigh, this face ensures active rebounds in quick and dynamic play situations. The rebound edge outer roll on the shin and boot offers a raised roll that helps prevent rebound popovers when in the butterfly.

Upgraded from the Hyp2rlite pads, the Flylite’s have a new balance plate geometry combined with the Vapor single calf bracket and calf pillow, providing greater stability with enhanced movement. The Tune Fit+ strap system offers an easily customizable fit to match your play style. For the strapping system Bauer has included their new SLYD TuneFit system which allows for optimal leg pad rotation and leg positioning.       

Bauer has also included their SLID3R skin, combined with their integrated Stabiliflex knee block with an extended grip landing zone offering a smooth slide and consistent seal. These pads also have a Reactive-Flex thick 100-degree boot for increased mobility and faster pad rotation. For the toe ties Bauer uses their new pro+ toe system with an adjustable length grommet, allowing for better post seal in RVH.”

PureHockey also displays screenshots of what adjustments were made to the pads.

Glove: Bauer Vapor FlyLite

The San Jose Sharks’ goalie is developing a terrific glove hand. Sharks goalie coach Thomas Speer focuses on a goalie’s hands a lot, something Alex Nedeljkovic told the media during training camp.

For Askarov, his glove hand has improved as the season has gone along. He’s catching more pucks, at least to the naked eye, and moving freer.

“The Flylite catch glove is Bauer’s latest iteration in the popular Vapor glove line with many new upgrades from the Hyp2rlite. Structurally this glove has been completely redesigned to provide a wider and more open shape with an 18-inch pocket for the largest elite catch glove Bauer has ever made,” PureHockey.com says.

Similar to baseball, a glove needs to be broken in. Pads do as well, but a stiff glove is much worse than stiff pads, at least in my opinion. Askarov’s weakness is probably his glove side; it was the knock on him coming out of the draft, but it is improving in the NHL.

Blocker: Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2

Not the FlyLite! Still in the Vapor line by Bauer, the San Jose Sharks goalie has found his blocker and is sticking with it. A quick search on social media for Askarov’s top saves will find you many blocker stops.

According to GearGeek.com, Askarov is the only goalie in the NHL using this blocker. In a brief search for this blocker available for retail, you would get minimal results.

Here’s what I’ve found about the Hyperlite 2 from various shops online.

Molded anatomical back hand for better balance and lower hand placement for more coverage
Low-profile molded cuff for enhanced range of motion
Molded F1 CURV Composite Construction for enhanced protection
REBOUND BOOST CORE + CURV Composite for high velocity rebounds

For Askarov, getting a big bump from his blocker is what makes his talent elite. His ability to stretch his left arm to its widest possible range and still get a solid stop with his blocker is his best skill.

Askarov’s game against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 24 was a perfect display of his skill and ability. While the Sharks lost 3-1, Askarov stopped 26 of 28, including his best save of the season on Nico Hischier.

Skates: Bauer Pro

A goalie skate is very different from a player skate. There is no tendon guard, and the blade shape is flatter with a point at the toe. Those little differences in how a boot and blade are designed for a goalie make a world of difference.

The San Jose Sharks goalie can make his motion stop on a dime while he is sliding because of his skates.

Here’s PureHockey.com’s description of Askarov’s skates.

“The shell of the Pro is constructed entirely of Curv Composite, a Bauer-exclusive technology that’s extremely lightweight without sacrificing strength or performance. The Aerofoam Pro ankle offers extra thermoformable padding surrounding your ankle to keep you comfortable all game long.

Upgraded from the previous iteration the Pro skate features a new Pro toe cap that’s been reinforced for strength and widened for an improved overall fit. Rounding out this skate is the Vertexx Edge Holder with the LS5G+ Runner. The Black LS5G+ runner is an upgrade from the LS5G and will provide increased height and a long-lasting edge for long term performance.”

Stick: Bauer Supreme Shadow

Askarov makes a slight change within Bauer when it comes to his stick, sliding over to the Supreme line. The Supreme line has been a solid choice for many player sticks and has recently gotten more love from goalies.

According to GearGeek, Bauer sticks are used by 45.83% of goalies, with 15.28% if all goalies are using the same stick as the Sharks netminder.

Weight and the stick’s design, where it expands in the middle, are crucial details for a goalie. It is hard to tell, but every goalie grips a stick differently. Fellow young upstart NHL goalie Jesper Wallstedt has made headlines with his unusual grip on his stick.

It is hard to tell, but the Minnesota Wild goalie has his hand slightly above where the stick expands to its wider shape.

Dec 31, 2025; San Jose, CA, USA; during San Jose Sharks vs Minnesota Wild at SAP Center. Photo: Sport Shots / Dean Tait

Helmet: Vaughn Pro’s Choice

Vaughn is one of, if not the most, iconic brands for goalies in the world. While their pad usage has slowly dropped recently, they remain the most used helmet in the NHL. 48.61% of all goalies are using the same helmet as the Sharks’ goalie.

Padding inside a goalie’s helmet is super important. It has to be as 100 MPH shots are flying at your head daily. There is no 3D printed padding or webbing inside the Pro’s Choice mask, as it uses a foam pad setup.

“The shell of the Pros Choice mask is made from a combination of Aramid fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and epoxy resin. Aramid is a new energy-dispersing fiber designed for NASA and the US military, combined with a special epoxy resin, allowing the mask to be lighter and stronger. For the liner, Pros Choice uses their impact molded foam for a more comfortable liner that retains less water.

This mask also features a Tri Cat Cage constructed from one piece of high-quality stainless steel, for added strength and impact protection. The adjustable chin cup offers a deeper cup to provide a more comfortable and improved fit,” PureHockey.com writes.

Retail prices

Yaroslav Askarov uses the best of the best and is on his way to being the San Jose Sharks’ No. 1 goalie. The Olympic break has come at a great time for him and the rest of the team.

Most goalies go through multiple sets of pads a season. Former Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood told me that he keeps three sets of pads on hand throughout the season.

Leg pad set 1: least used but not unused – Game pads.
Set 2: a little more used – practice and morning skate pads.
Set 3: unused- Once set 2 is worn out, set 1 becomes set 2, and set 3 becomes set 1.

Although it is unclear how many pads he or any NHL netminder goes through in a season, it is a safe bet to say a lot.

Leg pads: $1,899.99
Glove: $599.99
Blocker: N/A
Skates: $869.99
Stick: $339.99
Helmet: $1,649.99

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