Duzter Hockey Update | Shark Tank Season 16

Martin Negron was watching his son play hockey when he saw a problem. Even with all the gear kids wear, some body parts like the neck, arms, and legs were still open to injuries. Extra protection was usually too big, heavy, or made only for adults. To fix this, Martin and his son Martin E. created Duzter Hockey, comfortable shirts and pants that protect kids from cuts without slowing them down. Will the sharks get behind this father-son idea? Let’s find out in our Duzter Hockey update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Duzter Hockey after Shark Tank.

Martin A. and Martin E. pitched Duzter Hockey on Shark Tank Season 16. They sought $200,000 for 10% equity. After their pitch, they landed a deal with Mark Cuban for $200,000 for 20% equity.

In terms of a Duzter Hockey update, the company earned recognition from USA Hockey Magazine as a “Hot Product” for its flagship Duzter Armor line. Further, they expanded their reach through a partnership with the Eastern Hockey League to supply protective gear. 

Shark	Result
Mark Cuban	Accepted offer of $200,000 for 20% equity
Kevin O’Leary	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Rashaun Williams	No offer
Daymond John	No offer

Shark Tank Duzter Hockey Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Martin A. and Martin E. Negron
• Business: Protective clothing for hockey players
• Ask: $200,000 for 10% equity
• Result: $200,000 for 20% equity
• Shark: Mark Cuban

Father and son team Martin A. and Martin E. entered Shark Tank with a clear mission: to make youth hockey safer.

Their company, Duzter Hockey, creates high-performance protective gear designed specifically for young players.

They explained that despite all the gear hockey players wear, many are still at serious risk of injury from skate blades, especially around the neck, arms, and legs.

Most existing options are bulky, uncomfortable, and made for adults, pushing them to develop solutions.

Their product line includes compression shirts and pants made with cut-resistant fabric rated at the highest standard in hockey—A5 level. 

The shirts protect the neck and arms, while the pants guard the thighs and ankles without limiting movement.

Unlike Kevlar, their polymer-based material holds up well under heat, humidity, and repeated washing, maintaining its protective qualities. 

They’ve also filed three patent applications to protect their unique design.

To show how strong their product is, they performed a skate-blade test. Guest shark Rashaun Williams first sliced into an unprotected pool noodle, cutting it easily. 

He then tried again with a noodle wrapped in Duzter’s fabric, and this time, the noodle stayed intact, impressing all the sharks.

Kevin O’Leary questioned their ability to compete in an industry dominated by a few big players, noting that no new brand had broken into hockey gear in over 30 years.

Daymond John asked about the fabric material, while Lori Greiner complimented the product but raised concerns about the company’s growth strategy. 

Kevin dug deeper into their sales model and suggested they consider licensing the technology to major brands instead of trying to scale alone.

In response, the Negrons shared that Duzter Hockey had made $326,000 in sales in less than two years.

Their shirts cost $26 to produce and sell for $85, with sales split between direct-to-consumer and hockey pro shops.

Moreover, six NHL teams were already testing their gear, and the company experienced a massive spike in demand after a recent fatal skate-blade incident in the sport. 

They were also preparing to meet with NHL and AHL equipment managers.

Despite their strong pitch, most sharks backed out. Daymond didn’t see a fit due to his limited knowledge of the sport.

Kevin doubted their ability to scale and believed the best path forward was licensing. 

Rashaun, though inspired by the father-son partnership, also passed due to his lack of experience in the space. Lori praised the product but echoed the others’ concerns.

However, Mark Cuban saw the potential and offered $200,000 for 20% equity. The Negrons tried to counter, but Mark held firm.

Encouraged by the opportunity to work with a shark, they accepted the deal.

Now, let’s check in for a Duzter Hockey update.

Shark Tank Duzter Hockey Update

Our Duzter Hockey update found that the company’s flagship product line, Duzter Armor, was recognized as one of the Hot Products by USA Hockey Magazine. 

In a strategic move to expand its reach, Duzter Hockey partnered with the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) to get its gear in the hands of players. 

This collaboration aims to provide EHL players with advanced protective equipment.

At the time of writing our Duzter Hockey update, the company is preparing to launch a new product line, building upon the success of its initial offerings. 

While specific details remain under wraps, the company has hinted at upcoming innovations that will continue to prioritize player safety and comfort.

You can find all the gear on the Duzter Hockey website.

When there’s more to share, we’ll be back with another Duzter Hockey update.

For other company updates from Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 14, look below:

• Firefly Recovery Update
• BlackDot Update
• BAM Buckwheat Milk Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 16 products.