Exclusive On Ice Review: Warrior Ritual GT2 Pro Custom Leg Pads, Glove and Blocker!

Brand new for 2019, Warrior Goalie is proud to introduce the 2nd generation of the Ritual GT line and showcase the Warrior Ritual GT2 Pro line. The Ritual GT2 Pro is designed for today’s goaltender that is looking for a light pad, encompassed with elastic and Velcro strapping all with strategic and hybrid flex throughout.

Starting with the graphic, Warrior has reshaped the graphic to create a long, clean and sleek visual to make the goaltender look taller. With 9 large zones across the face of the pad, there are endless opportunities to create your own custom look. We find that the graphic can create unique shapes and designs, which we are always a fan of. The large chunk of White Weave sectioned around the set is designed to “confuse” the shooter to lead them to believe that there are potential openings or holes to try and bait them to shoot there. This could be up to debate, but we like to think it helps out!

Accompanying the last color zone on the face of the pad, there are three knee rolls running horizontally across the pad which aid in the overall look that today’s hybrid goalie prefers. Traditionally, knee rolls were designed to provide extra torsion and flex in the pad, but the Ritual GT2 Pro has strategic cuts within the internal core which now provides all of that flex. Above the knee section, Warrior has added HyperComp material throughout the thigh rise to provide better coverage and seal at the five hole.

For the internal core, there are two breaks above and below the knee which provide a curved shape to help close the five hole when in the butterfly. Externally, there is one break below the knee to further provide a softer feel. These pads have a serious S-Curve and bend to them. With the double internal breaks, we were able to find supreme and easy five hole closure without having to seriously squeeze or hurt the body.

Not only is there an external boot taper, but there are specific internal angled cuts in the core to let the pad flex vertically and allow for the pad to move with the goaltenders foot allowing for easy movements around the crease and when dropping into the butterfly. Keeping in sync with the GT predecessor, the GT2 Pro features a standard outer roll which helps keep the hybrid look, however it does provide extra stopping power and surface area so low angle shots do not skip over the pad.

Despite the traditional look of the face of the pad, the back of the pad features Warrior’s key leg channel designs which makes the pad rotate with ease. The 360 active drop leg channel features plush foams between the back of the pad and the goaltenders shin to promote a seamless rotation without any rough materials to grab against the goaltenders leg. The inner and outer calf wrap are now built to match that of the Ritual G4 line, where the calf strap is now fully adjustable and the calf wraps are laced in to move and flow with the goaltenders leg in all movements.

At the knee, Warrior has extended the length of the knee block to be longer than the original GT but slightly shorter than that of the G4 line. This knee block length is specifically designed to create the optimal seal on the ice, but not clip into each other when the goalie is in their stance or moving around the crease.

Continuing on the knee design, Warrior has kept a traditional looking sliding surface for today’s hybrid goaltender. However, the internal materials used in the knee wing are made of harder HD foams which create a solid and stiff sliding surface. This design extends throughout the calf wrap which will make for a solid seal on the ice and consistent sliding speed.

Finishing off the pad, the boot section continues with Warrior’s bindingless design which provides unmatched durability at the toe. For the strapping, Warrior continues their design of all removal and adjustable elastic toe and boot straps. The boot strap can be adjusted to run under the skate, positioned to run behind the heel or removed entirely. Stock, the GT2 Pro will have skate lace but the elastic toe strap can be attached based on the goaltenders preference. In addition to the boot taper, we have found that adding some extra slack to the toe tie, our skate was able to perfectly engage in all movements and did not have any blowouts during recoveries or feel that the skate edge was not locked in.

Just to add, New for the GT2, and subsequently retro-added to the G4 line, Warrior has reintroduced Weave material. Here at GoalieMonkey, we are big fans of this addition as now we can create unique color on color moments that showcase depth, angles and design.

The Ritual GT2 is an entirely bindingless design that goes around the full face of the board but along the sidewall. This bindingless design promotes great durability with the removal of extra material and seams. Both the face and sidewall are reinforced with Warrior’s HyperComp material which provides a lightweight feel and extra stopping power to push pucks away from the net.

The sidewall is specifically designed to rest comfortably against the stick and to provide extra protection. The GT2 Pro comes with an adjustable finger rail that can be placed for the goaltenders preference, or removed entirely. Following the same design as the GT, the GT2 Pro comes with a fully removable palm which can be adjusted and moved up or down on the blocker board all depending on the goalies preference.

The GT2 Pro blocker features an adjustable open cuff which allows the goaltender to get their hand in the right position to make key saves. Also, the open cuff provides ample room for the goaltenders chest protector to integrate into the blocker so there are no issues during play.

Forever, I will sing the song that a blocker is NOT just a blocker. There are specific and key pieces to a goaltenders blocker that helps seal the body, hold the stick, and support their proper stance. The GT2 blocker has an incredibly light weight, superb balance and a fully removable liner which makes for great durability over time. Not only does this liner come out to be washed or changed out, but it can be repositioned higher or lower depending on the goalies preference.

While the Ritual GT predecessor was a polarizing glove, the GT2 Pro features new key upgrades throughout the thumb, pocket and liner to make catching even easier. With the all new forward thumb shape, goaltenders will find a more traditional feel on their hand. This upgraded feel makes the hand sit naturally in the glove, allowing the goaltender to utilize all of their hand strength to close the glove effectively.

Now, the GT2 Pro features a 75 degree closure, which is similar to the other stock breaks that Warrior offers, however the entire palm is laced in and not removable. This 75 degree closure feels like your index and middle finger are pulling right to the tip of your thumb. While the palm is not removable, it is laced in and creates more space inside the glove and more adjustment space with the internal straps.

On the back of the glove, the open wrist allows for easy articulation so the goaltender can easily present their glove to the shooter. Also, this opening allows for a better fit between the chest protector and glove so there is less interference during play.

Moving to the palm, the GT2 Pro has HyperComp material added throughout the palm to provide even more protection without sacrificing an easy closure. Aiding in the snappy closure, there is a redefined break in the Double Tee. This new break has been moved from the finger side of the Tee to the thumb side of the Tee to make for a seamless, flat and easy closure.

For the actual pocket of the Double Tee, the spines have been thinned out to create the widest and deepest visual look that is almost all lace. This pocket has just enough material in it to keep its shape, but the lace in the Double Tee helps deaden the puck for ultimate retention.

Plain and simple, this GT2 glove might be the best Warrior glove we have worn to date. The redesigned hinge of the Tee, overall larger visual pocket, incredibly snappy closure and the most protective palm to date… it’s hard to beat! Whether you are visually tracking or need to make a desperation save, we find that the visual presentation of the glove is fully maximized to help reduce any gaps a shooter might see.

Warrior has perfectly encapsulated the knee rolled style pad for today’s hybrid goaltender. While we consider ourselves a strict butterfly goalie, sometimes having the more flexible or torsional pad will help allow you to get into better position without having to “fight” the stiffer equipment. With the glove and blocker, we were perfectly able to control rebounds to safe areas or grab pucks for easy whistles. Check out our on Ice Review, visit GoalieMonkey.com today to find the GT2 set of your dreams or pick up a set in any of our MonkeySports locations!

This article was originally published on March 29, 2019, and has been updated with new information.