Hockey Stick Buying Guide- Which Hockey Stick Is Best For You?
Hockey Stick Buying Guide- Which Hockey Stick Is Best For You?
When purchasing a hockeys stick many factors are taken into consideration. Having the correct hockey stick makes a huge impact on your game. Your hockey stick controls shooting, stick handling, puck control, and passing. Use this hockey stick buying guide to find the correct hockey stick for you.
- Determining the Correct Type of Hockey Stick
- Types of Hockey Sticks
- Hockey Stick Length
- Hockey Stick Flex
- Choosing the correct Pattern or Curve
- Choosing the correct Kick Point
Determining the Correct Type of Hockey Stick
Before you can determine what is the correct hockey stick for you as a player, you need to understand what kind of sticks are available. Additionally, it is important to pick the best stick for your height, weight, build, and playing style. Using the correct hockey stick is important for optimal performance at the rink. Some preferences of a player’s hockey stick are up to the player. However, if you follow the fundamental guidelines you can make sure that you have the ideal hockey stick for performance on the rink.
Types of Hockey Sticks
Hockey Sticks fall into three subcategories:
- Composite Hockey Sticks
- Wood Hockey Sticks
- Two-Piece Hockey Sticks (Shaft and Blade Combos)
Composite Hockey Sticks
Composite hockey sticks are what most hockey players are using today. Composite hockey sticks are composed of carbon fiber and fiberglass blends.
Pros: Composite sticks are the lightest hockey sticks on the market. Composite sticks come in a wide range of prices. As the performance and features of each composite stick get better the price increases.
Cons: The most expensive composite hockey sticks are expensive. And they don’t guarantee long-term durability.
Wood Hockey Sticks
Wood Hockey Sticks are thought of as the older generation’s hockey stick. This is due to the technological advancements with composite hockey sticks. Wood Hockey Sticks are still around and used by hockey players.
Pros: Wood Hockey Sticks are an inexpensive option for any hockey player. Wood sticks are known for having long-lasting durability as well.
Cons: The biggest con with a wood hockey stick is the weight of it. Oftentimes wood hockey sticks are 2 or 3 times heavier than its composite counterparts. Also, the performance of wood hockey sticks declines the more the stick is used.
Two-Piece Hockey Sticks
The two-piece hockey stick route is one that consists of a blade and a shaft.
Shafts are made up of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The same materials as a composite hockey stick. The blades are made up of either wood or composite.
Pros: Two pieces can be cost-effective since both the shaft and blade can be replaced if it has broken.
Cons: Two-Piece sticks are often bottom heavy if they have a wooden blade in them. This takes time to get used to. Also, the blade and shaft will loosen up over time.
Blade Note- Blades come in either tapered or standard. Make sure you get the correct blade for your shaft.
Hockey Stick Length
Having the correct stick wont matter unless it is the correct stick length. Correct stick length depends on your height, position of play and style of play. To determine the correct stick height you should stand with your skate on and hold your stick in front of you. Your stick should be 1-2 either above or below your chin. Generally shorter sticks are better for stick handling, but may hurt the hardness of your shot. Longer sticks give you more reach, and help you delivery a harder slap shot with less effort. Longer sticks make it harder to handle the puck.
|
Age Group |
Height |
Stick Length |
|
Youth (3-5) |
3'0" - 3'10" |
38" - 44" |
|
Youth (6-8) |
3'10" - 4'8" |
45" - 49" |
|
Junior (7-13) |
4'4" - 5'1" |
50" - 54" |
|
Intermediate (11-14) |
4'11" - 5'4" |
55" - 58" |
|
Intermediate (12-14) |
5'2" - 5'8" |
55" - 58" |
|
Senior (14+) |
5'5" - 5'10" |
57" - 61" |
|
Senior (14+) |
5'7" - 6'1" |
58 - 62" |
|
Senior (14+) |
5'10" - 6'4" |
60" - 63" |
|
Senior (14+) |
6'1" + |
60" - 63" |
Hockey Stick Flex
Hockey Stick flex measures how much force is needed to bend or flex a hockey stick. The flex rating states how many pounds of force are needed to flex the hockey stick one inch. Some hockey sticks are easier to flex then other hockey sticks.
Using the correct flex can increase a players overall shot speed, accuracy, and shot release. The general rule for flex is a player should be 50-65% of a players weight. There is no correct or wrong flex for any player. It varies player by player. The higher the flex the more force it takes to flex the stick. The lower the flex the easier it is to flex the stick.
See our Hockey Stick Flex Chart below:
|
Age Group |
Flex |
|||
|
Senior |
75 - 120 |
|||
|
Intermediate |
55 - 70 |
|||
|
Junior |
40 - 50 |
|||
|
Youth |
20 - 35 |
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|
Age Group |
Height |
Weight |
Recommended Shaft Flex |
Stick Length |
|
Youth (3-5) |
3'0" - 3'10" |
60 - 65 lbs. |
35 Flex |
38" - 44" |
|
Youth (6-8) |
50 - 80 lbs. |
40/45 Flex |
3'10" - 4'8" |
45" - 49" |
|
Junior (7-13) |
70 - 110 lbs. |
50/55 Flex |
4'4" - 5'1" |
50" - 54" |
|
Intermediate (11-14) |
95 - 125 lbs. |
60 Flex |
4'11" - 5'4" |
55" - 58" |
|
Intermediate (12-14) |
100 - 140 lbs. |
65/70 Flex (Light Flex) |
5'2" - 5'8" |
55" - 58" |
|
Senior (14+) |
125 - 175 lbs. |
75/80 Flex (Mid Flex) |
5'5" - 5'10" |
57" - 61" |
|
Senior (14+) |
150 - 200 lbs. |
85/90/95 Flex (Regular Flex) |
5'7" - 6'1" |
58 - 62" |
|
Senior (14+) |
180 - 235 lbs. |
100/105 Flex (Stiff Flex) |
5'10" - 6'4" |
60" - 63" |
|
Senior (14+) |
210 lbs. + |
110/115 Flex (X-Stiff Flex) |
6'1" + |
60" - 63" |
A players height, weight, and age are factors in determining the best hockey stick for you. The dimensions of a hockey sticks shaft vary with size. Youth hockey sticks have thinner shafts, and senior hockey sticks have the thickest shaft.
Choosing the correct Pattern or Curve
Every player has a different style of play. Are you a goal scorer? Are you a shut down defenseman? Are you a third line grinder? If you are new to hockey this may sound like a foreign language to you. However, if you are a veteran of the game you know exactly what we are talking about. The style of player that you are affects what type of pattern/curve you want to use. Three factors determine a hockey stick curve. They are curve type, curve depth and face angle.
Types of Blade Patterns
While each hockey stick company has multiply stick patterns with different names, and number for each pattern most patterns fall into 3 main patterns. They are listed below:
Toe Curve
A toe curve is a curve with most of the curve being at the top ⅓ of the blade.
Mid Curve
The mid curve is a blade that curves in the middle of the blade.
Heel Curve
The heel curve has most of the curve at the last ⅓ of the blade.
Curve Depth
Curve depth is based on the depth or shallowness of the degree of the curve. There are three depth to each curve.
Deep Depth - Largest pocket for the puck to sit in.
Moderate Depth- Mild pocket for the puck to sit in.
Slight Depth-Smallest pocket for the puck to sit in.
Curve Openness
Curve openness is the face of the handle that the blade, and how much loft it creates. The face angle comes in three types of loft:
Closed Openness
Slight Openness
Open Openness
Determining Hockey Stick Lie
Hockey Stick Lie is how the blade is angled in relation to the shaft of the hockey stick. While playing it is important that the hockey stick blade lies flat on the rink. The blade lie is in correlation to the players height and skating style.
Higher lies are better for taller players or players who skate more upright.
Lower lies are better for shorter players, or players who skate low and forward-pitched.
Most patterns have a preset lie. Many blade patterns only come in one lie. Your height with your skates on can determine the correct lie for you.
One way to determine if you are using the correct lie can be found with your tape. If you tape is wearing down closer to the heel of you hockey stick blade you should be using a lie that is more upright. If your tape is wearing down closer to the toe you should be using a lie that is lower.
Hockey Stick Kick Point
Hockey Stick Kick Point is the area of the hockey stick in which the stick flexes. Having the correct kick point is important and it is based off a players style of play on the ice. There are three different kick points:
Low-Kick Point- This is on the lower section of the shaft. Low-Kick Points are made for players who want a quick release. Low-Kick Points are made for quick wrist shots and snap shots.
Mid-Kick Point-This is on the middle section of the shaft. Mid-Kick Points are made for players who take hard slap shots, and fully loaded wrist shots. Mid-Kick Point offers powerful shot for player who shot from farther distances from the net.