How To Buy The Right Hockey Stick
The hockey stick is an extension of the hockey players arm. This means the stick needs to fit properly. Follow these tips to buy the right hockey stick.
There are several types of materials used for shaft types. These include wood and other composite materials including fiberglass, aluminum, graphite, Kevlar, and titanium.
You'll also need to determine the correct blade angle, the stick lie, stick stiffness, and stick length.
The shaft type is a personal choice. Different materials have different advantages and disadvantages. Which you prefer is entirely up to you.
Wood sticks
are the traditional material for hockey sticks. They are easily sized with a few cuts or some sanding and they are very cheap. The disadvantage is that they break easily and they are considerably heavier than some of the new composite materials.
Fiberglass sticks
have a wooden core that is then reinforced with a fiberglass exterior. Because the inner core is wood they are still heavy and still break quite easily. They are however inexpensive.
Aluminum shafts
are relatively cheap and they are quite a bit stronger than wood or fiberglass, although not as strong as titanium or Kevlar. Compared to other composite materials they are considered heavy but they are much lighter than wood hockey sticks.
Kevlar
is sometimes mixed with graphite but it can also be used by itself. Kevlar is expensive but it is light and it is one of the strongest materials. You can also replace the blades.
Titanium
is used alone and it costs about the same as Kevlar. IT is lightweight and strong and you can also replace the blades.
The blade on the hockey stick is normally made of wood and attached to the shaft with glue. Some blades have a Kevlar finish on them. There are straight, left, and right curved blades available.
You should choose a blade angle that the puck will on the forehand during the shot. A curved blade lets you lift the puck and put a spin on it but it is more difficult to pass or shoot with.
For those just starting to play hockey, a straight blade or a blade with only a slight curve is best.
Each player also needs to determine the angle between the blade and the shaft that works best for them. This is called the lie. Each stick has a lie number printed on the shaft ranging from 4 to 8.
The lower the number the wider the angle, where as the higher the number the less the angle. A lower lie is recommended for players that skate close to the ice and that carry the puck out in front. Where as a higher lie is recommended for players that skate standing upright and that carry the puck close to their body.
You also need to determine the correct shaft stiffness or shaft flex. The flex is very important to control and performance. 85 is a medium flex. The higher the number the stiffer the shaft is and the lower the number the more flexible it is.
Beginners should use a medium flex or lighter, where as big strong players should use a stiffer shaft. Defense men should also use a stiffer heavier stick, while forwards should use a flexible lighter stick.
The last thing you need to determine is the length of the stick. It is critical that the stick size match the player's size. A stick that's the wrong size makes it difficult to play and impossible to play good.
Junior sticks range in length from 46 to 54 inches, while senior sticks range from 56 to 62 inches. Offense men should use a slightly shorter stick to give them the best puck control. While defense men should use a longer stick which is great for poking the puck away from the other guy.
It's very rare to find a stick that's exactly the right size for you but if you buy it a little too long than you can cut it to the right length. To determine the right stick for your size you need to put your skates on then put the toe of the stick on the ground. The stick should end somewhere between your chin and your nose.
Regulations will not allow you to use a stick that is longer than 63 inches from the heel.
The correct stick can make the difference between you being an okay player and a hockey star. The stick really does make the boy or the man! So be sure to follow these tips to make sure you buy the right hockey stick.
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