The Hockey Stick
The Inner Workings Of The Hockey Stick
The hockey stick is a complicated work of art. It has to be sleek, light, and affordable. There are many different materials to use, and players can pick and choose which one they want. They are wildly customizable, and almost everyone will be able to find a fit for themselves.
Sticks at a professional level are much different than amateur or backyard games. They have parameters to keep the playing field (or ice) fair and clean. They must have a shaft length under 63 inches tall, equivalent to 5 feet 3 inches. The blades are allowed a max length of 12.5 inches, a minimum of 2 inches, and no more than 3 inches high. Originally, sticks were straight and provided little to no competitive advantage, but in recent years curving the blade has become more popular, which can help with passing, shooting, and stickhandling. Professional-level sticks are different than regular sticks at Pure Hockey or pro shops. Even when you are sporting the same one as your favorite player, they still have varying quality. Players have each of them custom-made and designed for them, being able to change the height, blade curve, and even the weight of the stick.
Sticks have a few differences from each other, but the ones they do have to make great contrast from each other. At a commercial level, they can have different flex, length, blade, kick point, weights, weave, finish, and hands. Flex is the amount of weight it takes to bend a stick. Lower flex entails generating more power comes with less effort.
Changing the blade can come in many different styles and ways you can change the curve, blade length, and the height. Kick point is the area of the shaft of a stick that will bend the most when pressure is applied. Low kick point is better for wrist and snap-shots, while mid kick point allows for slightly more power than the low one. There are other, more specific, kick points but it that would take too long to explain them all. Differences in each stick make every player unique and can help players specialize in their strong areas.
The main material used in hockey sticks is carbon fiber, but to be more specific, carbon fiber reduced polymer. The fiber helps with tensile strength while the polymer helps with compressive strength. These materials allow for a sleek, light design, while also keeping room for strength and integrity of the stick.
In conclusion, the hockey stick has many factors which account for its design and strength. It is difficult to find the one that is precisely for you, but with the wide range of available sticks it is quite efficient to find the correct one.
Related Stories
https://www.purehockey.com/c/what-are-hockey-sticks-made-of
https://www.gunzos.com/blog/what-are-hockey-sticks-made-of/
https://www.prostockhockey.com/sticks/what-is-a-hockey-stick-made-of/
https://flex.hockey/pages/what-are-hockey-sticks-made-of
https://allblackhockeysticks.com/product/custom-ice-hockey-sticks/#length-size
Take Action
Purchase a stick of your own!
