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When it comes down to selecting a hockey stick, the material and shaft are the two things you must prioritize. The right hockey stick as much about precision of sizing as it is about the ‘feel’ of the stick. Remember, a good hockey stick will give you control and comfort so you can manipulate the puck as you want.
MATERIAL
Material is a matter of taste and preference along with budget. Wooden sticks give a nice feel as they are the original equipment of the game. But composite sticks also offer a lot more power and control and are lighter and durable in comparison. Composite sticks are also more expensive. Since they’re high on durability, if you can go for it, get a composite stick.
You will also find wood and aluminium hockey sticks with aluminium shafts and replaceable wooden blades. While the combination is still a popular choice, the durability of aluminium has ensured most players opting for an entirely aluminium stick with metal shaft and blades. However, the weight of an aluminium stick is countered by sticks made from Kevlar that offer the same flexibility and strength with the additional benefit of being lightweight.hockeysticks
Composite sticks combine all these features into one. So even though they are on the expensive end of the ladder, you should consider opting for one if you looking to play professionally and not recreationally.
CONSTRUCTION
The cool thing about hockey sticks is that they come in One Piece and Two Piece formats. In one piece, you have a pre-designed hockey stick with a blade and a shaft. But in a two piece hockey stick you can design your own combination of blade and shaft to create a stick that suits your requirements best. You can select and combine separate blades and shafts but remember that two piece sticks are also heavier.
The reason why people want to customize their hockey stick is because the weight of the shaft in a hockey stick corresponds directly to the weight of the player. If you are on the heavier side you’ll want a shaft with a higher number that can support your weight. Lighter players opt for a lower number shaft as it is made to support their flexibility. Shafts are numbered from 40 to 110 and based on your weight and frame you can select a shaft that works best.
Blade curve of a hockey stick is customized because it’s affected by the player’s position on the field. Defence players go for blades with moderate heel curve that gives them control and the ability to shoot low because of a closed or only marginally open face angle. For forward position players, wristwork with hockey balls is most important so the face angle can be open or closed but the blade curve should be a toe curve.
A lot about a hockey stick comes down to the ‘feel’ of the stick. At the end of the day, it’s all about player preferences. If you’re starting out, you can play with a standard stick but as you progress in the game, take time out to understand the demands of your position on the field and find the right blades and shafts for it.
