Itech

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ITECH logo
ITECH logo

Itech Is an ice hockey equipment company. One of the world leaders in manufacturing goalie masks[citation needed], they are known for the smooth paint finishes and durability. National Hockey League goaltenders who wear Itech equipment include Rick DiPietro, Chris Osgood, Martin Gerber, Ty Conklin, Manny Fernandez, and Kevin Weekes. Although they are well known for their goaltender equipment, they produce player's gear also. Their main competition is CCM, as they produce a similar product.

Itech's equipment before the year 2001 was mostly only suitable for minor hockey, but in 2001, Itech introduced their 4.8 line, keeping a niche in the price department from past years but vastly improved quality has made Itech the world's fastest growing ice hockey manufacturer. For goaltenders, Itech's 5 main lines are Prodigy, X-factor, Vamp and X-Wing, and Reflex.

In 2004, Itech merged with Mission, a leading manufacturer of roller hockey equipment. The move allowed for Mission–Itech to compete with hockey giant RBK who in the same year purchased the Hockey Company (Koho, CCM, JOFA). Itech was founded by Robyn Burns (cousin to former NHL head coach Pat Burns) and is currently owned by he and Naegele family, principal owners of the NHL Minnesota Wild, and Kevin Compton, principal owner of the NHL San Jose Sharks.

Mission-Itech rivals include The Hockey Company/RBK, Easton, Nike-Bauer and the up and coming quickly growing Warrior Hockey Company.[citation needed]

Almost all professional goaltenders who aren't either sponsored by another company, or have masks custom made, use Itech masks[citation needed],some of these goalies include: Rick DiPietro, Jose Theodore, Manny Fernandez, Andrew Raycroft, Martin Gerber, Ryan Bach, Zak Bierk, Martin Biron, Jason Bacashihua, Brian Boucher, Fred Brathwaite, Ilya Bryzgalov, Sean Burke, Peter Budaj, Mathieu Chouinard, Ty Conklin, Cristobal Huet, Byron Dafoe, Marc Denis, Mike Dunham, Marc-Andre Fleury, Robert Esche, Jason Labarbera, Jussi Markkanen, Henrik Lundqvist, Ilya Bryzgalov, and Miikka Kiprusoff. Itech will also make custom made versions of their popular Profile masks, for considerably more money.[citation needed]