Riley G. "EZPuck"

By Riley Giauque
My name is Riley Giauque. I am in the 6th grade at Nativity Elementary School in Fargo, North Dakota. My invention is the EZPUCK. Please visit my website http://www.ezpuck.com.

When I was in 4th grade I had the opportunity to participate in Marketplace for Kids. I have always been somewhat of an entrepreneur and always very interested in learning more about business. I knew that Marketplace for Kids was for me. I was determined to invent a product to showcase at Marketplace for Kids. I just wasn’t sure what that product was going to be. My dad suggested that I solve a problem and keep it simple. So that is exactly what I set out to do.

I have a passion for hockey. I love to watch hockey, but most of all I love to play hockey. And in order to be really good at hockey you need to practice. One day I was practicing my stick handling when I got an idea. You see, I would always try to stick handle around pucks and cones, but that never really worked because they would always tip over or slide around. I would get so frustrated. That is when I came up with my invention.

I needed to figure out how I could get something simple to remain stationary on the ice so that I could practice my stick handling. It took a lot of thinking, asking questions, and many prototypes, but before  long I had the perfect solution. With help from my dad, we designed a product that would allow hockey players of all ages to improve stick handling and puck control. We created the only product on the market that remains stationary on the ice. A product that is easy to throw in a hockey bag and set up in a desired pattern in less than 30 seconds. And best of all EZPUCK is fun to play around with.

After many prototypes my invention was complete and just in time for me to showcase my invention at my school and at Marketplace for Kids. I was very excited about my invention, because I knew that it was something that everyone could actually use to improve their hockey skills. While at Marketplace, people asked me if my product was for sale. Others told me that I should patent my idea. After talking with my parents, my dad took me to visit Michael Neustel, who is a patent attorney in Fargo. Mr. Neustel was very helpful and encouraging. He gave me some suggestions and helped me write up my patent pending. He filed my patent pending and I was on my way.

I had some sales experience in the past. I was always the top sales person in school when it came to selling raffle tickets. And, I also had a vending business which I set up different accounts by cold calling businesses out of the phone book. This was a little different. I needed to come up with a business plan. Initially, I called my product Stix Trix, but that name was already used for a different kind of product. After some debate with my family we decided to call my product EZPUCK. We next had to find someone to manufacture my product. This is where I learned about tooling. We then had to come up with packaging. We put a lot of thought into packaging because I was certain that we would have to ship my product all over the world.

Marketing was next. We knew that it would be very important to create a website (www.ezpuck.com) in which the entire world could view my product, become educated on how my product worked, and then have the ability to order directly from my website. We chose to incorporate video on my website so that every hockey player could see exactly how my product worked. We also incorporated various drills for the convenience of coaches and players. And, we included testimonials.

At first, I wasn’t sure about the testimonial page because no one had really used my product. Well, let’s just say that has all changed. Since that time, I have had coaches, former Division I hockey players, and trainers tell me that this is the best puck handling and skating training tool that they have seen for a long time. They love the idea that players can practice advanced stick handling techniques without the hassle of constantly having to pick up cones. They think it is great to be able to pack up and set up within seconds.

One of the highlights of my business was when Doug Woog, whom I had never met before, told me that he wanted sets of EZPUCKS for his hockey camps and was willing to write a testimonial for me. For those of you that don’t know Doug Woog he has coached hockey for 31 years; was the Men’s Head Hockey Coach for the University of Minnesota from 1985 to 1999; assistant coach for the 1984 Olympic Hockey Team and he is a Fox Sports North TV Analyst. That was pretty cool!

I have sold my EZPUCKS throughout the United States, Canada, Germany and New Zealand. I have my EZPUCKS for purchase on my website (www.ezpuck.com), through Play It Again Sports, and in various outlets such as HockeyShot.com, IceWarehouse.com, etc. People are very satisfied with my product. We provide very good customer service and usually ship the product within 12 to 24 hours.

I just recently invented GRIPZ which is an attachment for the EZPUCKS. The GRIPZ allow for off ice training. They are rubber feet that attach to the EZPUCK that limit the movement of the EZPUCK while stick handling on various surfaces, such as your garage floor, synthetic ice, or wherever you need to practice your stick handling. It works great in the locker room to warm up your hands just before a big game. They will be available to purchase in the next few months.

In the last month, I signed a document that attorney Michael Neustel filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to ensure that my product has a patent. That was pretty cool too.

Creating a product and starting a business has been a good experience for me. I am grateful that Marketplace for Kids encourages young people, like myself, to be creative and entrepreneurial. Thanks Marketplace for Kids!

And for all the kids out there I would tell you that you can basically do anything you want to do if you believe in yourself and have the desire to succeed. Just whatever you do, don’t give up!!

Photo Gallery