Hockey Stick Buying Guide - How to Choose a Hockey Stick

Published 20th February 2024

Choosing the right hockey stick involves considering various factors that significantly impact your game. The perfect hockey stick can greatly enhance your shooting, stick handling, and overall game control. Utilize this guide to identify the ideal hockey stick tailored to your playing style and preferences.

* Choosing the Right Hockey Stick

* Types of Hockey Sticks

* Hockey Stick Length

* Hockey Stick Flex

* Picking a Blade Pattern or Curve

* Hockey Stick Kick Point

Choosing the Right Hockey Stick

To select the optimal hockey stick, understanding the available options and matching them to your size, build, and playing style is essential. It's remarkable how players might unknowingly use an ill-suited stick for years. While certain aspects depend on personal preference, adhering to fundamental guidelines guarantees superior on-ice performance. Familiarize yourself with the various types of sticks and learn how to choose the perfect one to elevate your game.

Hockey sticks can be separated into two subcategories:

* Composite sticks

* Wood sticks

Types of Hockey Sticks

Composite Hockey Sticks

Composite sticks are what most NHL players use today. Usually made from woven carbon fiber and fiberglass blends, they’re them incredibly lightweight making them a consistent, high-performing stick.

PROS: Composite sticks come in a wide range of price points with varying degrees of performance and features as their price gets higher.

CONS: Simply put, the biggest disadvantage to a composite stick is the lack of durability. While some sticks are better-built to increase durability, they still pale in comparison to how long a wooden stick will last you.

Wood Hockey Sticks

Wood sticks are largely thought of as “old school” these days, mostly due to the technological advances seen in the hockey industry – but they’re still around and are actually a great choice for certain players’ styles.

PROS: While it’s true that wooden sticks have been rendered all but obsolete in the world of the NHL, they’re still very much alive to many players who grew up on them. They’re well-regarded for their “feel” of the puck, long-lasting durability, and very cheap price.

CONS: A big con to the wooden stick, however, is the overwhelming weight. A wooden stick can weigh 2 – 3 times more than some of the composite sticks out there today. Another concern is performance, which can become inconsistent over time. The more a wooden stick is used, the more its performance will decline.

Which Type of Stick is Right for You?

Numerous factors contribute to finding the ideal hockey stick—it's not merely about size and fit. Each stick style has its advantages and drawbacks, and it's crucial to determine which aligns best with your playing style and budget. A player's weight, height, playing technique, and position on the ice can all influence the decision-making process. By considering these factors comprehensively, you can confidently select a stick that optimally enhances your performance while meeting your preferences and budgetary constraints.

Hockey Stick Length

You won’t be playing your best if you don’t have the right length stick. And while it depends somewhat on the position you play, determining how long your stick should be is actually very easy. Stand with your skates on and hold your stick in front of you. Your stick should be anywhere from 1 to 2 inches below or above your chin. Keep in mind that shorter sticks may be great for puck handling, but might not have a powerful shot. Long sticks give you reach and could even help you develop a commanding slap shot with minimal effort.

Hockey Stick Length Chart

Hockey Stick Flex

Stick flex measures how flexible or stiff a stick is when force is applied. Since the flex rating indicates how many pounds of force it takes to flex the stick one inch, you should know that some sticks are significantly easier to bend than others.

Proper stick flex can increase overall shot velocity since flex has what you can think of as a slingshot effect. There is no “right or wrong” flex – it varies among players. so you'll want to try out different options. The higher the flex number, the stiffer, or less bend a stick will have. Conversely, the smaller the flex number, the more bend and softer a stick will be.

Not sure where to start? Using a sizing chart is a good idea.

When determining your stick length and flex, several factors come into play. Considerations such as your height, weight, and age play a crucial role in selecting the optimal stick.

Shaft dimensions and overall stick height increase with each size variation. Youth sticks are characterized by their shorter and thinner profiles, while senior sticks are known for being longer and thicker.

Picking a Blade Pattern/Curve

What type of pattern suits your style? Do you prefer a toe, mid, or heel pattern? Are you the type to aim for corners in tight situations, or do you enjoy unleashing powerful shots from the point? If you're new to hockey, these terms might seem confusing, but don't worry; we're here to guide you through it all.

Years ago, it was easy for players to choose a blade pattern…because they didn’t have a choice! Sticks were all straight blades up until the 1960s, when Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull popularized the curved blade. Today, curves are available in so many different shapes and sizes, it can be overwhelming for novice players to make sense of it all.

Let’s start with what makes a blade curve. Curves are shaped and differentiated by three factors:

* Curve Type

* Curve Depth

* Face Angle

Types of Blade Patterns

Blade patterns typically offer a range of 3 to 6 styles per manufacturer. While the names may vary, it's common for different brands to offer patterns that are very similar, if not identical. However, it's also worth noting that many brands have unique patterns of their own. It's beneficial to invest time and effort in experimenting with various blade patterns. You may discover significant improvements in your shooting accuracy or puck handling skills that pleasantly surprise you.

Toe Curve

With a toe curve, most of the curve is in the top 1/3 of the blade.

Mid Curve

Just like you may be thinking, the mid curve blade has a prominent curve in the middle of the blade.

Heel Curve

With a heel curve, the curve is most obvious in the last 1/3 of the blade.

Curve Depth

Curve depth relates to the depth or shallowness of the degree of the curve type. There are three depths to each of the three curve types:

* Deep

* Moderate

* Slight

The deep depth creates a larger “pocket” where the puck can sit, and the slighter depth has a smoother, gradual curve without an aggressive angle.

Curve Openness

Curve openness refers to the face angle of the blade and its loft creation. The face angle typically falls into three categories: closed, slight, and open. When looking directly down at a closed blade, the face or front side is clearly visible. Conversely, an open blade face appears more twisted, with the front side prominently visible. This twist results in increased loft, making it easier to lift or elevate the puck. Understanding these nuances can greatly impact your game and shooting technique.

Determining Hockey Stick Lie

The lie of a hockey stick is how the blade is angled in relation to the shaft of the stick. While playing, it’s important that the bottom of the blade lies flat on the surface in correlation to your height and skating style.

* A higher lie is great for taller players or players who skate more upright.

* A low lie is perfect for shorter players or players who skate low and forward-pitched.

While most blade patterns come with a pre-determined lie, determining the best lie for you can be a bit trickier. Typically, your height while wearing skates can provide a good starting point for finding the right lie.

The importance of lie is often overlooked by players, as many blade patterns are available in a single lie. However, it's worth noting that lie can be adjusted before purchasing a stick. Additionally, some patterns offer multiple lie options, providing players with more flexibility to find the perfect fit.

PRO TIP: The easiest way to identify if the stick lie you’re using is appropriate is to examine the wear of the tape on your blade.

* If the tape is wearing closer to the heel of the blade, you should consider using a lie that’s more upright or higher.

* If the tape is wearing closer to the toe of the blade, you may want to consider using a lie that’s flatter or lower.

Hockey Stick Kick Point

The kick point of a hockey stick is a huge selling point for composite sticks. Kick point is most associated with flex and the style of play you want to bring to the ice.

The kick point of a hockey stick refers to the spot where the stick flexes the most during shooting. There are three main types of kick points, each suited to different player preferences and playing styles: low-kick, mid-kick, and customized kick.

A low-kick stick is designed for players who prioritize lightning-fast release times. Tailored for quick wrist shots and snap shots, this kick point compresses and loads in the tapered area of the stick. It's engineered to swiftly propel the puck towards the net, particularly effective in close-range situations.

Mid-kick points are tailored for power players who excel at delivering hard slap shots and fully-loaded wrist shots. This kick point primarily compresses and bends in the middle of the shaft, providing optimal power for shots taken from greater distances.

The customized kick point represents the final type, although not all brands offer this option. Engineered to flex wherever the bottom hand is placed, customized kick point sticks optimize full-loading capabilities, enabling players to unleash powerful shots from any location on the rink.

Left-handed or Right-handed Hockey Stick?

For novice skaters, determining which handed stick is suitable can be more challenging than initially anticipated. While seasoned players may instinctively gravitate towards their preferred stick, beginners might find the decision-making process a bit more daunting. However, understanding your dominant hand and shooting preference can simplify the selection process.

"If you're unsure of your dominant hand for hockey, a simple trick is to pick up a baseball bat and see which way you naturally swing. Remember, there's no definitive right or wrong choice in hockey. The key is to prioritize comfort and natural feel. When in doubt, opt for the choice that feels most comfortable and intuitive to you.

It’s interesting to look at the lopsided ratio of left-handed to right-handed shooters in the NHL. Left-handed players crush the number of right-handed players in the NHL today by a ratio of nearly 70 to 30, but why?

Choosing between a left-handed or right-handed hockey stick can be confusing for new buyers. The designation of left or right hand refers to which hand is closest to the blade of the stick. For instance, if your left hand is lower when holding the stick comfortably, you're a left-handed player. Conversely, if your right hand is lower, you'll need a right-handed stick. The primary consideration should be how comfortable and natural the stick feels in your hands. Experiment with stickhandling using a puck or tennis ball to determine which hand feels more natural. It's important to note that your dominant writing hand doesn't always dictate hockey stick handedness.

Though it might seem perplexing at first, the logic behind stick-handedness becomes clear when considering control. If your dominant hand controls the top of the stick, it's easier to manage the rest of the stick. Conversely, for left-handed individuals, the reverse is true. Mastering stick control is crucial on the ice, which is why we often see professional players shooting left-handed. This preference aligns with the fact that approximately 90% of the global population is right-handed.

It's important to reiterate that the choice between a left- or right-handed stick ultimately comes down to comfort. If you're predominantly right-handed and feel more at ease with a right-handed stick, then go with that option and give it a try. There's no definitive right or wrong way to determine your shooting style. For many players, the stick that feels most natural in their hands is the best choice. So, it's advisable to experiment with both options and see which one feels most comfortable for you.

Hockey Stick Shaft Finish

Most sticks come with two different finishes to the shaft, either grip or clear (non-grip). The purpose of adding a grip coating to the shaft is to optimize the amount of control a player has over the stick with their bottom hand.

You may have experienced your bottom hand shifting up and down the stick while stickhandling. With a non-grip finish, sliding your hands over the shaft is effortless. However, the drawback of not having a grip is that if your handle on the stick isn't tight enough while shooting, your hand can slip, thereby reducing the power generated from your shot.

Conversely, a stick with grip presents a different scenario—the grip coating may be overly tacky, hindering your ability to slide your hands up and down the shaft smoothly. Nonetheless, the advantage lies in the additional grip provided during shooting, effectively securing your bottom hand in place and facilitating maximum power generation for your shots.

Each manufacturer has their own type of grip and non-grip finishes that differ from other brands. Once again, it really comes down to preference. So when you start looking for your next stick, be sure to check out the finishes and understand how each one can benefit (or hinder) your game.

Determine Your Price Range

An effective approach to determining your price point is to begin by establishing your budget for a stick. Each brand offers various price points, and as with any product, quality tends to increase with higher prices. Setting a specific budget upfront helps streamline your options, making it easier to choose from a more manageable selection based on your preferences and needs.

Hockey Stick FAQs

Left-handed or right-handed hockey stick?

In general terms, if you’re predominantly left-handed in your daily life, most likely you’ll be a right-handed player. If you’re usually right-handed, you’ll probably want a left-handed stick.

Hockey Stick Sizing by Age Group

Hockey stick sizing depends on height, weight, and age. A chart can help you get started.

What type of player should use a lower lie?

Lower lies are most often beneficial for players who skate low to the ice and carry the puck right in front of them.

Are Hockey Sticks warranted against breakage?

Composite Hockey Sticks generally include a 30 day warranty from the date of purchase. Wood Hockey sticks do not include any kind of warranty.