In season nine of Rethink the Rink, 20 students from across Carnegie Mellon University competed in teams of four to design groundbreaking hockey goalie chest protector prototypes with guidance from experts at Covestro, a world-leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials, the Pittsburgh Penguins professional hockey team, and Bauer Hockey, the world’s leading hockey equipment manufacturer.
Students worked over the course of one week to solve issues associated with goalie chest protectors, including impact absorption, mobility, and functionality.
“The Penguins are proud to partner with Covestro, Carnegie Mellon University, and Bauer Hockey once again for our annual Rethink the Rink Make-a-Thon,” said Penguins Senior Vice President of Partnerships Steve Kelley. “Initiatives like Rethink the Rink are critical to ensuring that athletes’ equipment not only performs at the highest level but keeps them safe every time they step on the ice, and we’re thrilled to see how the creativity and fresh perspective from Carnegie Mellon University students can push protective equipment standards forward.”
The winning team impressed judges from Covestro, the Penguins, CMU, and Bauer Hockey with their innovative design that incorporated hexagonal impact plates and a unique cooling system—critical areas of focus in hockey goalie safety and comfort. The students drew inspiration from aerospace and motorsports applications, applying engineering concepts used in high-performance environments to improve protection and breathability for goalies.
