Karlsson injury causes NHL business boost for Swiftwick Socks

Move over deer antler spray. The newest craze in sports products? Cut-resistant socks.

Last week, the Senators all-star defensemen, Erik Karlsson, had his Achilles heel sliced by the skate of the Penguins Matt Cooke. It was a fluke play — depending on who you ask — but it was a play which made more NHL teams take preventative measures to ensure the safety of their team. Enter, Swiftwick Socks. The Tennessee based company focuses on creating cut-resistant socks, using the latest in ‘sock technology’ — including the usage of Kevlar. The company has experienced a significant increase in sales over the past few days, with CEO Mark Cleveland’s phone ringing off the hook,

“I’ve been off the phone to shower today,” he said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.” (via )

Swiftwick’s compression socks which feature a high Achilles pad and sweat wicking technology are now high demand from at least five NHL teams, and more than 70% of the Nashville Predators current roster have been wearing the socks since last Thursday game.

With an injury like Karlsson’s the potential for a blade-slicing injury became real. It is that real risk that Cleveland believes is driving the demand in his business,

“Now every player out there is looking at the next guy, asking ‘What do you wear?’ ” Cleveland said. “The risk became real and personal to the players.”