CCM Skates

In 1899, five bicycle-manufacturing companies combined their forces to compete against the encroaching American Bicycle Company. This company known as the Canadian Cycle and Motor Company Limited (CCM) manufactured high quality bicycles. The problem with bicycles was it catered to a seasonal market. In 1905, to address this issue, they decided to venture into a new sport – skating.

The first CCM skates were “automobile skates.” These CCM ice skates featured a steel blade and aluminum platform worn by attaching them to regular footwear with straps. They quickly became popular, but not as much as skates invented, during the same period, by George Tackaberry of Brandon, Manitoba.

Tackaberry created a special ice hockey skate for future NHL Hall-of-Famer, Joe Hall. Tackaberry took the basic skate and adapted it, reinforcing the heel and toes. As a result, custom-made Tackaberry skates became a favourite among professional hockey players.

CCM also began to innovate. They introduced “matched sets” of skate blades with skate boots. With the death of George Tackaberry in 1937, CCM took over the name. CCM pro Tack hockey skates became the most popular and most recognized name for skates among hockey players. They continued this run until the middle of the last century.

After acquiring the Tackaberry line, CCM did not rest on its laurels. They continued to improve the various features: The safety heel and added an elevated heelpiece to the skate to ease the strain on the front leg muscles. The company has since marketed different types of skates including CCM figure skates, CCM roller hockey skates and CCM inline skates. Popular lines of CCM ice hockey skates include the CCM Vector skates and CCM Vector Pro skates.

The CCM Pro Vector skate, a lightweight composite was designed for the elite-level hockey player.CCM Intruder hockey skates are flexible, comfortable and inexpensive. CCM Pro Tack hockey skates are composite, lightweight skates with drain vents in the outer sole. These skates are more expensive.

The company also has a youth and children’s line. They manufacture junior CCM inline skates, CCM tyke skates and, a bonus for parents, the popular CCM tykes adjustable skates. This last offering has an innovative adjustment system allowing the skate and he child to grow together.

CCM and skates have become synonymous with the public for years now. There record of innovation indicates they will continue to do so for many years to come.