Hockey Sticks - Choose the Right Stick to Improve Your Game

By Johan Friedman

Hockey sticks come in different sizes, compositions, and materials. Choosing the best combination is vital to staying comfortable throughout the game without sacrificing performance. Here are some of important factors to consider when buying a hockey stick:

Size

Hockey sticks come in junior and senior sizes. Junior hockey sticks are about 46 to 54 inches long, while senior hockey sticks measure 56 to 62 inches. The slanted end usually extends 10 to 15 centimeters from the shaft. Generally, shorter sticks offer better control, but longer ones make more powerful hits.

Stiffness

The shaft also has different flex or stiffness levels, classified as medium, stiff and extra stiff. Forward players usually prefer more flexible shafts, while defensemen can play better with stiff shafts. If you're a beginner, start with a medium shaft and move to stiffer ones as you get better.

Lie

The lie is the angle between the shaft and the blade. This is measured with the numbers 4 to 8; the smaller the lie number, the wider the angle. Use a lower lie stick if you prefer to skate close to the ground with the puck in front.

Materials

Wood. Wooden hockey sticks are usually stiff and heavy, so they are best for strong players. They also tend to break more easily.

Fiberglass. These hockey sticks have a wooden core with a fiberglass coating, making them a lot heavier than other composites. They are the cheapest but least durable, making them ideal for practice but not for actual games.

Aluminum. Aluminum sticks have an aluminum shaft with replaceable blades. They are lighter than fiberglass and wood but heavier than Kevlar and titanium. They are ideal for those with various blade preferences.

Graphite. Graphite hockey sticks can be made of pure graphite, have a wooden core and graphite coating, or a composite of graphite and Kevlar. They are more expensive than fiberglass and aluminum, and are relatively lightweight and durable.

Kevlar. Kevlar is made from aramid fibers, either pure or mixed with graphite. They are light and highly durable, but they are the most expensive.

Titanium. Titanium sticks cost about the same as Kevlar. They are lightweight and highly durable, and usually have replaceable blades that can also be installed with torches.

More information

Picky Guide has a complete guide to hockey sticks. Picky Guide is one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

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