Slice Guard was born from a simple, powerful idea: protect players without sacrificing performance. As a lifelong hockey player, I understand the thrill of competition — but also the hidden dangers that come with it. After witnessing the devastating impact of laceration injuries to Adam Johnson, Teddy Balkind, and others, I realized there was a critical gap in player safety. It wasn’t just about adding protection — it was about doing so in a way that players could trust, feel comfortable wearing, and integrate seamlessly into their game.
In 2024, during my freshman year at Clarkson University, Slice Guard was first conceptualized in SB113, an introductory entrepreneurship course where students are challenged to identify a real-world problem and pitch a business solution. What started as a classroom project quickly evolved into a mission. Encouraged by early positive feedback and driven by a deep commitment to player safety, I dove headfirst into developing Slice Guard into a tangible, real-world innovation.
The Process
Building Slice Guard has been a journey of persistence, innovation, and learning. From designing initial prototypes to consulting with engineers and hockey professionals, every step has been fueled by the determination to create a product that genuinely makes a difference. I partnered with material experts to source high-grade cut-resistant fabrics and created a design that balances maximum protection with minimal interference in performance.
Simultaneously, I pursued patent protection to safeguard the technology behind Slice Guard and ensure that we could maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation. Throughout this process, I balanced full-time Division I athletics, an accelerated course load, and entrepreneurship — an experience that taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic leadership.
The validation from the broader community came quickly. Slice Guard proudly won first place in the New York State Business Plan Competition, securing top honors in the Safety, Power, and Mobility track. This award, coupled with the Concept Stage Award for undergraduate innovation, reinforced our belief that Slice Guard wasn’t just an idea — it was a company with real potential to change the game.
Where We Are Now
Today, Slice Guard stands on the cusp of launch. Our products are actively being tested, refined, and will soon be ready for market introduction. We’ve built a growing network of brand ambassadors, including elite athletes competing at the highest levels of junior, collegiate, and international hockey. Our early partnerships with premier hockey programs and training centers affirm that the demand for high-performance laceration protection is real and growing.
Behind the scenes, we are finalizing manufacturing partnerships, expanding our marketing presence across social media and grassroots channels, and preparing to officially open our first sales window. Every decision we make is rooted in our core mission: protecting players without compromising their performance.
Where We Are Going
The future for Slice Guard is about more than just launching a product — it’s about building a movement. We envision a future where protective gear is as essential and accepted as skates or helmets, and where no player ever has to choose between performance and safety.
In the next year, we will:
Long-term, Slice Guard aspires to become a leader in player safety across all contact sports, continually raising the standard for protective gear while honoring the spirit and performance of the game.
This is just the beginning. Slice Guard was founded to solve a problem — but today, it represents something bigger: innovation, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of protecting the players who love the game as much as we do.
I'm proud of how far we’ve come. And I'm even more excited about where we’re going.
Welcome to Slice Guard — Built for Performance. Designed for Protection. Inspired by Players.
Slice Guard Hockey
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