Hockey sticks are known to be one of the players’ most essential and private items, along with skates. Even if you just hold the puck on the stick for a couple of seconds in the game, you won’t count it!
A hockey stick comprises many different factors, such as the brand making it, the manufacture and design, weight, substances, length, flex, curve, lie, and flex points.
Those dimensions of a hockey stick are based on your needs, personal measurements, location, and also on your individual taste. Here are some guidelines for you to choose your own hockey sticks
Which material of hockey sticks should you choose?
Many kinds of sticks are available since distinct materials were used to make them. The most commonly used type of sticks is carbon fiber. You can also use those made from wood, fiberglass, or even metal, and some composite materials.
Wood
Wooden hockey sticks are usually the cheapest, but keep in mind that those cheaper wooden sticks may not perform as well. It is great for a beginner so you can easily replace it without breaking your bank, however, you will usually find a short- to medium-range composite stick with better durability for the price of a decent wood stick.
Because wooden sticks are suitable for street hockey and people like the sensation of holding wood, they are still purchased by players.
Composite
Nearly any professional player is currently having a composite stick. They can be found in one or two pieces structure, but almost exclusively a single piece is preferred. Composite sticks are far more versatile than wooden ones and allow flexible profiles such as medium, central or high kick points to be predetermined.
The majority of hockey players choose a single piece brace, ignore the fact that they can be costly and still can splinter. The idea that the more you pay the better your stick will be is a wrong assumption.
Generally, the more expensive composite sticks are from lightweight materials and can split quicker, whereas the cheaper ones are mixed with fiberglass, which makes them slightly heavier but can endure further.
Fiberglass
Usually, these are wooden sticks that are strengthened by a fiberglass layer for protection. These were an innovative movement from wooden sticks years ago, but are slowly disappearing now.
Aluminum
Usually, these are wooden sticks that are strengthened by a fiberglass layer for protection. These were an innovative movement from wooden sticks years ago, but are slowly disappearing now.
The shafts of these sticks are made of metal with steel or wooden blades incorporated into. The sticks are more lightweight than fiberglass and wooden ones. Rarely any brands make them nowadays and they are not used by professional athletes.
Carbon Fiber
The higher-end sticks are 100 % carbon fiber. Nowadays, most hockey sticks either are made from only carbon fiber or a combination of carbon fiber with other materials. Commonly, the mixed ones are the most budget-friendly.
There are also some other types of hockey sticks such as Kevlar or reinforced ones, but those are not common.
Read more: CCM Tacks Hockey Stick Review
How to choose a Hockey Stick? Based on what criteria
Price tag
There are four popular price levels for a hockey stick. The accompanying instructions will show you what to expect.
$50 or so
Wood sticks and heavy composite sticks are what commonly sold for this price
- Products – The composite sticks are often mixed ones that are not well structured and strong enough.
- Technology – Often no unique technology.
- Design – Often two-piece construction which is not durable
- Feeling – heavy
About 100 dollars
You can find a decent stick for beginners or even an advanced stick for sale
- Materials — carbon fiber or a mix
- Technology – maybe you can find sticks with newer technique
- Design – Usually two-piece glued together.
- Feeling – a little heavier
$200 or so.
At this stage, you ‘re going to find a nice stick.
- Materials – The material in this situation would be almost 100 percent carbon fiber.
- Technology – Sticks will share the latest technologies with the top of the line sticks
- Construction – Most of the sticks will be one-piece.
- Feeling – Lighter, more stable, better puck feeling
Around 300 dollars
You get the top of the line equipment at this price.
- Materials — 100% carbon fiber and other specialized strength or feeling material.
- Technology – Companies generally offer factors that enhance power, give better sensation or improve precision.
- Building – one-piece design
- Feel – great feeling and balance
Stick Length
Your stick should be your choice of its length and weight. Some hockey players choose shorter and thinner shafts so that they can move in a crowd and unleash their shots easier. Meanwhile, defenders tend to prioritize longer and harder handles in order to control opposition from a larger distance. You can be influenced by your role and your skating style.
Most specialists suggest that when you’re skating, the tip of the handle should meet your chin. But it’s your choice to choose what suits you the most that’s relaxed and effective to match your playing style irrespective of length, weight, curve type, flex, and the hockey stick lie.
Read more: Cool hockey sticks to purchase 2020
Hockey Stick Weight
Players often prefer lighter hockey sticks as they are more convenient for releasing shots. Meanwhile, longer and heavier ones are normally chosen by defenders.
Hockey Stick curves
You can choose the stick with the edge bent on the foot, middle, or heel of the edge. Either you are left or right-handed, there are numerous selections for you.
Hockey Stick Lie
The hockey stick’s lie is defined as the angle between the stick ‘s blade and the handle. The lie of sticks are varied from 4 to 7 and each lie is a two-degree angle disparity. To exemplify, a four lie is 137 °, and a five lie is 135 ° and so on.
Lower lies are also safer for players who pull the puck out and skate at a low position to the surface. Those skating higher often use high stick lies.
To sum up, the information mentioned above is all about basic concepts when it comes to such a difficult sport like ice hockey.
Hopefully, Puckdrawn can help you to choose your own suitable hockey stick, based on weight, height, curves, or lie.