Shaft Types
Blades
Determining Shaft Stiffness
Determining Stick Length

About Hockey Sticks

and angle of the blade to match your playing style. With all of the combinations and styles of sticks available, take a little time and do some research to decide what works for you. Two piece sticks, one piece sticks, aluminum, wood, graphite, and fiberglass a few options to keep in mind when buying.

Shaft Types

   There is no real science to selecting a shaft. Your personal preference, as well as your budget, will be the main factors here. Shafts come in many different materials with different weights and durabilities.

Wood Sticks

• These are traditional sticks and are usually less expensive than modern composite sticks

• You are able to fine tune your stick by cutting or sanding it to make it more comfortable
• Wood sticks break more easily
• Wood sticks are heavier and tend to be stiffer than other materials

Composites

Modern shafts come in all sorts of materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, carbon-graphite, kevlar and titanium. The blades are usually still made of wood and are attached to the composite stick with glue. These materials make for a lighter stick, but are generally more expensive than wood.

1. Fiberglass
   • Fiberglass sticks have a wooden core and are wrapped/reinforced with a fiberglass outer coating
   • They are the least expensive type of composite sticks
   • Their wooden core makes them somewhat heavy
   • They are not as strong as other types of composite sticks
2. Aluminum
   • The shaft is formed entirely of aluminum
   • Aluminum sticks are relatively inexpensive
   • They are also considered strong, but not as strong as kevlar and titanium
   • Compared to other composite sticks they are considered heavy but are still much lighter than wood and fiberglass
   • They use replaceable blades
3. Graphite
   • Graphite can be used many ways in stick construction. It can be used to coat or reinforce a wooden core; it is sometimes mixed with kevlar to form the shaft; and it can also be used entirely on its own.
   • Graphite is more expensive than fiberglass and aluminum, but less expensive than kevlar and titanium
   • Graphite sticks are considered strong and lightweight
   • They use replaceable blades
4. Kevlar
   • Kevlar is often mixed with graphite to form the shaft of a stick, but it can also be used on its own
   • Kevlar sticks are one of the most expensive
   • One of the strongest and most lightweight
   • They use replaceable blades

Blades

Blades are usually made of wood and attached to the composite stick with glue. Some blades have Kevlar wraps on them for extra durabilty. Blades with reinforcements will last longer and resist splintering and chipping.

Hockey sticks are identified as "left," "right," or "straight." This refers to the curve of the blade.

• You should buy a stick that has the blade angled so that the puck is on the forehand during shooting
• A curved blade allows you to lift the puck and put spin on it, but makes it more difficult to shoot or pass backhand
• A blade with a smaller curve gives you lower shots and better control
• Players just starting to learn the game should choose a blade with a lesser curve. A curved blade may inhibit backhand passing or shooting for beginning players.

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Determining Shaft Stiffness

• The stiffness, or flex, of a stick's shaft is important in determining control and performance
• Most stick shafts come in flexes of medium (85 stiffness), stiff measurement, or extra stiff (up to 110 stiff)
• Beginning players should look for a light stick with a medium stiffness rating
• Bigger, stronger players should choose a stick with a stiffer flex
• Defensemen should choose a stiffer, heavier stick, while forwards should choose a lighter, more flexible shaft

Determining Stick Length

• Since it is very difficult to control an oversized or undersized stick, the length of your hockey stick must be correct for your size
• Hockey sticks come in two basic sizes: junior and senior
• Junior sticks are generally between 46 - 54 inches long
• Senior stick are generally between 56 - 62 inches long
• Offensive players usually have a slightly shorter stick for better puck control
• Defensive players generally have a longer stick which is good for poking the puck away from an oncoming forward
• You will probably not be able to find a stick that is the exact right size. Generally buy your stick a little long so that you can cut it down to the perfect fit

To determine proper stick length

• Stand in your skates
• Put the toe of the stick on the ground
• The stick should reach somewhere between your chin and the tip of your nose
• Hockey regulations do not permit sticks longer than 63 inches from the heel (where the stick meets the blade) to the end of the shaft