DC Shoes: The Nocturnal Kalynx

Since everything old is new again, I was stoked to come across a pair of the DC Nocturnal x Kalynx at Switch. The backstory to this model was when Josh Kalis desgined his first pro model for DC Shoes back in 1998. He was sent him a sample with the upper he designed and a Lynx [a very popular team model] outsole. When the sample was posted on social media, the feedback was positive enough to release a limited run exclusively at Nocturnal in Pennsylvania and select indy skateboard shops.

The upper consists of mesh, suede, rubber and 3M reflective materials and a lace loop system. It also bares the Nocturnal shop logo on the side panel and the DC logo on the back.

The outsole is a translucent runner cupsole with DC's classic pill pattern. It really combines the best of both worlds for on both the technical and nostalgic side.

Zero Skateboards x Jamie Thomas "Living Dead"

Always been down for Zero Skateboards and the feeling's more satisfying when you can grab a new Jamie Thomas deck at secondhand prices.

Zero or die!

DC Shoe Co. Lynx Zero

What I love about DC Shoes are the crazy discounts they offer customers if you sign up for their mailing list. The team and shoes are also a huge plus. Not too long ago, I grabbed two pairs of Lynx Zeros. I encourage you to support a company founded by skaters.

Santa Cruz Skateboards x Jeff Kendall "End of the World"

I've had my eye on this Santa Cruz Jeff Kendall deck since I first saw it on the Switch website months ago. Thankfully, it was still available during the Black Friday sale and nabbed it right when they opened. I wanted to set this up immediately, but might keep this on the wall. This board measures 10" x 29.7" with Cruise Missle II concave and a matte finish. The best truck width I'd recommend is an 8.75" axle.

Support your independent skate shop this Christmas season.

Birdhouse Skateboards x Tony Hawk Complete [Early-2000s Recreation]

For as long as I can recall, I've always wanted to find my first pro complete skateboard in any type of capacity. In the spring of 2001, my mom and I went to two skate shops [bad idea] to build my first setup. It was a 7.75" Birdhouse Willy Santos "Huster Will-E" deck with 775 black/polished Fury Trucks and 55.5mm Spitfire Wheels "Charred Remains," which my mom picked out. Although finding the exact components are impossible today, I still felt like I can create something close. Luckily, thanks to Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and patience - I was able to scoop this 7.75" Tony Hawk deck and finally complete my first board.

As stated above, I originally had Fury Trucks with a black hanger, silver baseplate, and red bushings. Unfortunately, I sold my only pair years ago, but substituted them for a pair of Thunder Trucks with rearranged pieces. It's a really clean cut/paste.

As for the wheels, they too are impossible to find. Throughout the years, I obtained 2 sets which were either sold, stolen, or given away - I can't remember. So as a quick filler, some generic Scorchers with orange Bronson bearings will suffice.

The deck above was what I owned back in the day. How I departed with it is a pretty crappy story. But with how reissues are going, I won't be surprised if this ever comes out of Willy's Workshop. Below are the trucks and wheels that helped me roll, turn, slide and grind. Maybe I will skate these shoes in the not too distant future.

Vans x Willy Santos

This week ended off with a bang when a deadstock pair Vans Willy Santos pro model shoes were dropped to the front door. These were my first pro skate shoes [albeit different colour] I've ever owned back in 2001 and are definitely not going anywhere. I believe Willy Santos is the first Filipino with their own signature shoe. As a skateboarder though, I'm itching to skate these one more time.

From top to bottom, inside and out, these shoes were definitel a product of the time. Originally released in 1998, they feature a suede and nubuck upper with 3M reflective piping.

The tongue and collar are heavily padded. The triple stitched toe adds reinforcement and the cupsole construction helps reduce impact.

This was a trading card that came with the shoes and actually used it in a presentation for famous Filipinos back in the ninth grade.

Krooked Zip Zinger

Super Duper Skateboards is run by a really great shop owner and I encourage anyone in Toronto to check them out. Throwing it back to the glory days of skate shops, I was able to trade some popsicle shaped decks for a few cruisers. One of them is this Krooked Zip Zinger.

Measuring 7.6" x 30", this is one of the most versatile cruiser decks out there. I may keep this on ice until my nephew feels like skating, otherwise it'll be added to my quiver.

DC Shoes x Kalis Lite

DC Shoes has always been a favourite brand of mine since I started skating. Josh Kalis has always been one my favourite pros when I started skating. When these Kalis Lite shoes went on sale, I quickly grabbed a pair just because the price was right along with the look.

Alien Workshop x Strobe Series x Josh Kalis

Here's a pretty sweet find online, a seller was letting go of a vintage Alien Workshop Josh Kalis deck. It dates around Mindfield era with some other legendary names on the board. Josh Kalis has been one of my favourites for years and I'm very stoked to add this to the collection.

Quasi Skateboards Pickups

Grand Trading, Canada's distributor of Quasi Skateboards, had a contest this winter when you purchase one of their decks. One deck I purchase is an 8.38" Dick Rizzo "Run" and an 8.38" Justin Henry "BIG" deck.
Although I didn't receive the grand prize, they won a very generous "Participation Award."

I was sent two Quasi decks, the above is an 8.625" "A/B" team deck and an 8.5" Gilbert Crockett "Deuce" board seen below.

As for an added bonus, I received a set of 52mm SML Morgan Smith "Lucidity" wheels.

New Jersey Devils x Martin Brodeur [1992-07]

It looks as if my NHL jersey collecting days have come to an end. I have finally acquired a New Jersey Devils Martin Brodeur jersey in the dark red road style worn from the early-90s to the late-00s.

Cosmetically, it does have flaws - but that's expected when you're purchasing secondhand. Aesthetically, however, all of the numbers and letters on this beautiful sweater are embroidered in double layered tackle twill. Growing up in the 90s and 2000s, Martin Brodeur was one of the most talked about goaltenders in the league and knew full well as a collector, I had to obtain his jersey.

Born on 6 May 1972 in Montreal, QC, Martin Pierre Brodeur started goaltending at the age of 7. In 1989, he played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Saint-Hyacinthe Laser. In the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected 20th overall by the New Jersey Devils and play 4 NHL games that year. He'd make his full time roster debut in the 1993-94 season playing in 47 games and earn the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie. He'd register a 27-11-8 record with a 2.40 GAA and a .915 SV%

In his sophomore year during the lockout 1994-95 season, the New Jersey Devils won their first Stanley Cup Championship in a clean sweep series over Detroit. In 20 playoff games, he registered a 16-4 win-loss record with a .927 SV%.

Martin Brodeur continued dominating the league for the rest of the 1990s often finishing the season as the wins leader and playing in four straight All-Star Games from 1996-99.

At the end of the 1999-00 season, Martin Brodeur won his second Stanley Cup Championship in a 4-2 series win against the defending champion Dallas. The final 2 games of that series ended in triple and double overtime. In 23 postseason games, he finished with a 16-4 record with 1.61 GAA and a .927 SV%.

During the 2000s, Martin Brodeur would play in five straight All-Star Games from 2000-04. In 2001, the goaltender's dream match was made when he faced his idol; Patrick Roy, and the Colorado Avalanche, in the Stanley Cup Finals. Sadly, the Eastern Conference Champions lost in seven games.

In 2003, Martin Brodeur would win his first Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender and his third Stanley Cup Championship. He finished the season with a league leading 41 wins and 9 shutouts. In 24 playoff games, he recorded 16 wins and a still standing league record 7 shutouts. He'd win three more Vezina Trophies in 2004, 2007, and 2008. His final All-Star Game appearance took place in 2007.

During the mid-to-late 2000s, Martin Brodeur resumed making a name for himself statistically while helping his team make consecutive playoff appearances until 2010. In 2007, he set the record for most wins in a season with 48 and became the all time wins leader with 522 in 2009. The 2011-12 season would be the last time Martin Brodeur played in the Stanley Cup Finals in a losing effort to the LA Kings.

After the 2013-14 season, Martin Brodeur signed with the St. Louis Blues and played in 7 games before officially retiring from the NHL. At the end of his career, he was the NHL's all time leader in games played, wins, losses, minutes, regular season and playoff shutouts, and postseason GAA.

Martin Brodeur has represented Team Canada on eight different occassions. His most notable accomplishments were two gold medals in the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Winter Games and a gold medal at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

In February 2016, the New Jersey Devils retired #30 in his honour and erected a bronze statue of him at the Prudential Center.


In 2017, Martin Brodeur was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame as a player.

NHL Highlights & Accomplishments
1, 266 games played, 691 wins, 74, 438 minutes 125 shutouts, 2.24 GAA, .912 SV%
3x Stanley Cup Champion [2005, 2000, 2003]
1994 All Rookie Team
1994 Calder Trophy
First All-Star Team [2003, 2004, 2007]
9x NHL All-Star [1996-2001, 2003-04, 2007]
4x Vezina Trophy [2003, 2004, 2007, 2008]

“I just want to have fun doing what I’m doing. When the time comes that it is a drag to play hockey, that’s when I’ll say leave it to someone else to do this job for the Devils.” ~ Martin Brodeur

FA Skateboards x Ninetimes Skateshop II

The fine folks at Ninetimes Skateshop assisted me greatly with an issue on my last purchase. With that, I ordered 2 new FA decks from their sale. One is an Anthony Van Engelen Devil on Horseback graphic [left] and the Vortex team model [right]. Both boards have the embossed FA wordmark across the bottom.

I have never been more stoked on a skateboard company since the mid-2000s and whatever FA is doing, they're doing it right. Support your local skate shops.

FA Skateboards from Ninetimes Skate Shop

Ninetimes Skate Shop in Alberta had a sale on some hardgoods and I grabbed these 2 FA decks. Above is the AVE Archangel graphic and below is the Gino Iannucci Doll. Both have the embossed FA logo from top to bottom. Unfortunately, one deck was defected and the folks at Ninetimes helped out 100% in helping me obtain another board [which you will see very soon].