Micron (Skate Company)
Encyclopedia
Micron produced ice hockey
equipment in the 1980s and were based in Canada
.
They were probably best known for their 'Mega' range of Ice skates and most notably the Micron Mega 10-90, Micron Mega 10-70 and Micron Mega 10-50.
They were a pioneer of their unique 'Power Clip' technology that claimed to give increased power to the skater. The 'Power Clip' was a white plastic square attached to the sole of the boot on the inside of the foot and had the first three (for small-medium sizes) or four (for large sizes) lace holes of the boot in it.
The design of the boots made the skater lean forward slightly when skating which meant they were ideal skates for balancing weight when skating backwards. This proved popular with ice hockey
players that played defence. Another popular skate of this time was the Daoust 501, which also had a lean forward footbed, although to a lesser degree than the 10-90s.
Micron was eventually purchased by Bauer Hockey
in 1994.
The 10-50 versions were the mid range junior skates (sizes 1-5) and 10-70s were the mid range adult skates (sizes 6 and up). They were comparable to the Daoust 301 or the Bauer 200/300 series and used similar construction materials. While the 10-90 was the top of the line, it came in two completely different configurations: Street & Pro. Within the Pro version there were two configurations; an early/initial version and a later modified second/final version. The early version of the 10-90 PRO (red stripe) was distinguished by a "white" chevron on the ankle/quarter area. On the final modified version the chevron was black and there was a small notch added to the lace hole area between the 3rd and 4th eyelet to improve front to rear ankle movement. Also added was a much improved tongue. The final version with the black chevron ankle package is condsidered the superior version.
The Mega 10-90 came in two versions: The retail store "street" version and the specialty store "Pro" version, distinguished by the Red Stripe down the side of the skate boot. The Pro versions were priced at $350–$400 in the early 1990s, came with a pro level rear quarter package and a pro extra thick tongue. The Pro version was available with either the one piece ICM holder (lower price option) and carbon steel blade combo or the TUUK holder that provided the option of using V2 stainless blades (highest price option) or standard stainless blades. The V2 blades, which were only available for two years in the early 1990s were about half the thickness of a standard blade and very similar to that used by Olympic speed skaters. At the front or toe end (1-1.5") of the blade the steel was regular thickness. which provided a unique "kick" when changing direction or starting from a dead stop. Due to high cost (and high selling price) to produce these blades and the poor acceptance at the pro level they were eventually discontinued.
The Micron Mega 10-90 Pro version also had a unique inner boot with soft lambskin leather and memory-gel ankle padding. The 10-90's were available in a wide range of widths as they catered to the high-end player who wanted an exact fit. They were particularly designed for taller, heavier skaters.
Micron Mega 10-90 skates were used at various points by such high-profile NHL players as Mario Lemieux
, Ray Bourque
, Cam Neely
, Pavel Bure
and Bernie Nicholls
.
The Mega 10-90 Pro version skates remain sought after for play and by collectors even 15 years after being discontinued. Nike bought out Bauer-Canstar in the late 1990s. The replacement skate for the 10-90 was the Canstar-Bauer Mega Air 90. (The term mega was dropped the following year). Bauer did not use the "last" or basic footbead of the original Micron Mega 10-90 in the production of the Bauer Mega Air 90 or the Bauer Air 90.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
equipment in the 1980s and were based in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
They were probably best known for their 'Mega' range of Ice skates and most notably the Micron Mega 10-90, Micron Mega 10-70 and Micron Mega 10-50.
They were a pioneer of their unique 'Power Clip' technology that claimed to give increased power to the skater. The 'Power Clip' was a white plastic square attached to the sole of the boot on the inside of the foot and had the first three (for small-medium sizes) or four (for large sizes) lace holes of the boot in it.
The design of the boots made the skater lean forward slightly when skating which meant they were ideal skates for balancing weight when skating backwards. This proved popular with ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
players that played defence. Another popular skate of this time was the Daoust 501, which also had a lean forward footbed, although to a lesser degree than the 10-90s.
Micron was eventually purchased by Bauer Hockey
Bauer Hockey
Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of ice hockey equipment, fitness and recreational skates, and apparel. Bauer produces helmets, gloves, sticks, skates, shin guards, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, as well as goalie equipment...
in 1994.
The 10-50 versions were the mid range junior skates (sizes 1-5) and 10-70s were the mid range adult skates (sizes 6 and up). They were comparable to the Daoust 301 or the Bauer 200/300 series and used similar construction materials. While the 10-90 was the top of the line, it came in two completely different configurations: Street & Pro. Within the Pro version there were two configurations; an early/initial version and a later modified second/final version. The early version of the 10-90 PRO (red stripe) was distinguished by a "white" chevron on the ankle/quarter area. On the final modified version the chevron was black and there was a small notch added to the lace hole area between the 3rd and 4th eyelet to improve front to rear ankle movement. Also added was a much improved tongue. The final version with the black chevron ankle package is condsidered the superior version.
The Mega 10-90 came in two versions: The retail store "street" version and the specialty store "Pro" version, distinguished by the Red Stripe down the side of the skate boot. The Pro versions were priced at $350–$400 in the early 1990s, came with a pro level rear quarter package and a pro extra thick tongue. The Pro version was available with either the one piece ICM holder (lower price option) and carbon steel blade combo or the TUUK holder that provided the option of using V2 stainless blades (highest price option) or standard stainless blades. The V2 blades, which were only available for two years in the early 1990s were about half the thickness of a standard blade and very similar to that used by Olympic speed skaters. At the front or toe end (1-1.5") of the blade the steel was regular thickness. which provided a unique "kick" when changing direction or starting from a dead stop. Due to high cost (and high selling price) to produce these blades and the poor acceptance at the pro level they were eventually discontinued.
The Micron Mega 10-90 Pro version also had a unique inner boot with soft lambskin leather and memory-gel ankle padding. The 10-90's were available in a wide range of widths as they catered to the high-end player who wanted an exact fit. They were particularly designed for taller, heavier skaters.
Micron Mega 10-90 skates were used at various points by such high-profile NHL players as Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, Ray Bourque
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean "Ray" Bourque is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League . Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and...
, Cam Neely
Cam Neely
Cameron Michael Neely is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. He currently serves as the president of the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Cam Neely was born in Comox,...
, Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
and Bernie Nicholls
Bernie Nicholls
Bernard Irvine Nicholls is a former professional ice hockey centre. His junior career was spent with the Kingston Canadians, where he established himself as a dynamic scorer and a multi-faceted talent. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 73rd...
.
The Mega 10-90 Pro version skates remain sought after for play and by collectors even 15 years after being discontinued. Nike bought out Bauer-Canstar in the late 1990s. The replacement skate for the 10-90 was the Canstar-Bauer Mega Air 90. (The term mega was dropped the following year). Bauer did not use the "last" or basic footbead of the original Micron Mega 10-90 in the production of the Bauer Mega Air 90 or the Bauer Air 90.