The Ultimate Off-Ice Training Aid

Xenopuck Training Aid

With the Xenopuck, you get to practice with a puck that actually simulates the on-ice experience

Some time ago, a Florida hockey dad came up with an idea for a training aid. He was simply looking for something that weighs the same as a regulation hockey puck, something that would glide on off-ice surfaces and be durable enough to shoot with. And so the Xenopuck was born.  

What is Xenopuck?

At a regulation weight of 6 ounces, with a diameter of 3 inches and 1 inch in height, the Xenopuck was made to help hockey players work off-ice with a realistic training device. 

Anyone who has played with regular roller hockey pucks will quickly discover how different it is. With the Xenopuck you get to fly around the rink with a puck that simulates the on-ice feel. 

Some might think that a standard rubber hockey puck would suffice, but it doesn’t make the cut. If you try to pass or stickhandle a puck, it will bounce, roll, and generally not work as expected. Hence, there was a need for something better. As one blogger recently wrote, “It’s almost too slick, which is great for learning puck control. It’s the closest to on-ice experience, off the ice.” 

Off-Ice Surfaces: Where It Works

Xenopucks originally were developed for the slick surface of South Florida roller rinks. With long stretches of polished concrete, the Xenopuck seemingly would glide forever. But as time went on, it became apparent that the puck worked on more than just a perfectly flat surface. People started using it on both smooth or rough asphalt; concrete driveways; synthetic ice; wood floors; tile; carpet; rink rubber; tennis courts—even empty swimming pools.

When it comes right down to it, the Xenopuck works on almost every surface. Some work better than others, but the dexterity latent within the puck offers the hockey player many places where they can train or just have some fun. 

The Benefits

Most every hockey player looks to incorporate a little extra stickhandling or passing in their routine. This is where an off-ice puck like the Xenopuck comes in handy. With training, you want your effort to effectively translate to the ice. Since much of hockey is muscle memory, it is unwise to use a lightweight roller hockey puck. That’s why using a properly weighted puck is essential.  

For most players, ice hockey has one major drawback: the cost of ice time. For almost everyone (except high-level players) there is only a limited amount of ice time available. This is often the case, even when it comes to people who live in Canada or the northern US states. For people in the south, the situation is even more dire as there is little to no natural ice available.

That’s where an off-ice “dryland” puck comes in. This functionality, paired with a realistically weighted puck like the Xenopuck, allows for the chance to practice even when no ice time is available. 

While Xenopucks are primarily made to simulate a regulation ice hockey puck, another use case has been for the competitive roller hockey player. Since roller pucks are generally half the standard 6-oz weight of ice pucks, the Xenopuck effectively acts as a weighted puck.

The benefit of a weighted puck is analogous to that of lifting weights. The added stressors increase strength, speed, and endurance. When roller hockey players go back and use a normal roller hockey puck, the gains can quickly be noticeable. This type of training pushes the limits of what you thought possible, and also increases the fundamental skill and strength of your game. 

What Not To Do With the Xenopuck

As with everything in life there is a balance, and the Xenopuck is no exception. Some things the Xenopuck should not be used for are: 

• The puck is very hard, so using it during play is not advised. It should be solely used for training. The same goes for shooting on goalies, who wouldn’t want to get hit in a soft spot. 
• Smooth surfaces are best because the puck will roll on super rough asphalt. In short, making a clean sauce requires skill, not luck. The same applies for most off-ice pucks, but worth mentioning. 
• Finally, be careful when shooting because the puck will rebound hard off the post or other stationary object. To reiterate: it is very hard. 

The Xenopuck Company

Xenopucks is a two-man shop, with Steve and Carter manning the posts day and night. Founded in January of 2022 in South Florida, the pucks were originally only sold in Florida. Four years later, the pucks are now helping hockey players improve their skills worldwide and are available for purchase in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the UK, Australia, Brazil, Korea, and other countries.

The founders credit the company’s success to word of mouth. To date, there has been no major corporate backing or advertising spend invested, just those who brought them up thus far. Further, it is the customers who provide the best idea enhancements for the Xenopucks. The company expects the release of new product lines this year, with some very exciting new developments in the works.

Conclusion

In essence, the Xenopuck should be used by every hockey player who would like to see significant gains in their on-ice performance. As with all training aids, it is only as good as the person using it. But the Xenopuck can be a big help on that journey.