Duzter is a Maryland-based hockey protective gear company founded by a father-and-son duo, Martin Negron Jr. and Martin Negron Sr., in 2022. The business emerged from their shared goal of making hockey safer and more affordable for young players. Headquartered in Annapolis, Duzter specializes in cut-resistant compression apparel that protects players from skate blade injuries while providing comfort on the ice.
The idea for Duzter was born when Martin Negron Jr., then a youth hockey player (14U level) in Annapolis, saw a serious safety gap firsthand. In his 8th-grade year, a teammate suffered a skate cut injury, and Martin Jr. realized there were no base-layer shirts offering both neck and arm cut protection. Frustrated by the lack of suitable gear in stores, he decided to develop his own protective compression clothing. He brought the idea to his father, Martin Negron Sr., who had over 25 years of experience as a production and manufacturing engineer. Combining Martin Jr.’s on-ice insight with Martin Sr.’s technical expertise, the pair began designing a new kind of hockey undergarment that would better safeguard players. By 2022, they officially launched Duzter, introducing their first product line of cut-resistant compression shirts and pants for hockey players.
From the start, the Negrons focused on engineering gear that “feels good, looks good and provides added protection”for young athletes. The signature Duzter compression shirt was designed with an integrated cut-resistant neck guard and cut-proof sleeves to shield vulnerable areas like the neck and arms. They also developed matching cut-resistant compression pants, extending protection to the legs (covering areas such as the Achilles tendon) without sacrificing mobility. Affordability was another core goal, since youth players quickly outgrow equipment – Duzter aimed to keep prices accessible for families while not compromising on safety features.
NHL Approval: Duzter’s compression apparel earned an official safety certification (A5 standard) and was cleared by the National Hockey League for use in NHL games. This nod meant even professional players could trust Duzter gear on the ice, validating its quality and design.
Product Line Expansion: Initially targeting youth hockey, the company expanded its range to serve older players as well. Duzter introduced a Pro line of compression shirts and jock pants for junior and adult players, developed with input from NHL and AHL professionals. By its second year, Duzter was offering sizes from the youngest “mites” up to adult leagues, alongside related apparel like performance hoodies.
Retail and International Reach: Beyond selling online, Duzter forged partnerships with hockey pro shops across multiple regions. Its protective gear became available in local stores in Maryland (its home state) and in hockey markets like Colorado, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, and even internationally in the United Kingdom. This expansion into brick-and-mortar retail shows how a small startup grew to reach players far beyond its Maryland roots.
Professional Team Adoption: The effectiveness of Duzter’s gear caught the attention of higher-level teams. Players on the Henderson Silver Knights – the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights – began using Duzter’s cut-resistant undershirts during games. Seeing their product on pro athletes was a proud moment for the Negrons, who described it as “surreal…when we go to a game and we know that one of the players is wearing something that we created”.
Innovation and Next Steps: Duzter continues to innovate on hockey safety. As of 2025, Martin Sr. revealed they have patent applications pending for their protective apparel designs and are developing new gear specifically for goaltenders. This hints at an expanded product line in the future, aiming to protect netminders who face unique risks on the ice.
The Founders
Martin Negron Jr. – Now a high school junior, Martin Jr. is the original catalyst for Duzter’s creation. He has played hockey for over a decade and used his firsthand knowledge of the sport’s safety needs to drive product development. Balancing school with entrepreneurship, he became a teen business owner and even a Shark Tank presenter before graduating high school. Martin Jr. often speaks about the importance of protecting fellow young players, embodying the customer perspective in Duzter’s mission.
Martin Negron Sr. – Martin Sr. brings a seasoned engineering and manufacturing background to Duzter. With 25+ years in production and quality control roles, he handled the technical side of turning his son’s idea into a tangible product. He managed sourcing materials, ensuring the cut-resistant fabric met safety standards, and overseeing production quality. In addition to mentoring his son through the startup process, Martin Sr. sees Duzter as a special bonding project: “It’s a different dynamic within the relationship…beyond the daily things of doing homework,” he said about working together on the business.
Together, the Negrons exemplify a unique family business dynamic. Their collaboration combines youthful passion with professional experience, which has been crucial to Duzter’s early success. As a team, they navigate challenges from product design to pitching investors, all while sharing a love of hockey.
