Skins, the leading gradient compression sportswear brand, has been selected as the “Official Recovery Compression” brand of the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues franchise.

Beginning last month, the full roster of Blues players was custom-fit with SKINS RY400 recovery compression equipment – designed specifically to accelerate muscle repair and reduce fatigue during the strenuous back-to-back NHL post-season training and competition schedule.

“We are proud and excited to partner with an elite team at the top of their game and conference. SKINS recovery compression is scientifically proven to reduce fatigue, post-exercise swelling, and speed up recovery time, and is particularly well suited for the physical demands the NHL athlete faces in his quest for the Stanley Cup,” said Steve Ozmai, Director of Marketing for SKINS North America. “This partnership showcases everything that SKINS stands for, helping athletes perform at their very best.”

In March, the Blues became the first team to reach 100 points and clinch a playoff berth in the 2011–12 NHL season. The SKINS RY400 product range is designed to help reduce exercise induced muscle damage, so athletes can quickly rebound to their maximum level of performance. SKINS compression clothing works by increasing circulation, accelerating the delivery of oxygen to muscles and improving the lactate shuttle. Unlike its A400 range designed for active use, SKINS RY400 product line is designed specifically to apply the compression needs of muscles in the passive, rebuilding state.

“SKINS provides a valuable asset to our players and helps them perform at their peak as the regular season intensifies and transitions into the post season,” said Mike Hannegan, assistant athletic trainer for the Blues. “As the game and travel schedule escalates into the playoffs, SKINS are an integral component of an aggressive training program that our players use to recover as quickly as possible and help prevent risk of DVT and dehydration in the gruelling travel schedule and frequent long flights that are a standard component of the NHL post-season.”