By K.C. Weldon
Hockey is without a doubt one of the most prolific sports on the planet. However, it takes more than just determination to partake in the sport. Not only do you need a helmet and skates, but also you need a stick. In fact, a stick is probably one of the most important parts of a player’s arsenal. And, there really are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing the right hockey stick. The right stick will not only make a difference in how you handle the puck, but it will play a factor in your shot.
Left Handed Or Right Handed Shooter
When it comes to choosing a hockey stick the first task will be deciding whether you are a left handed shooter or a right-handed shooter. If you are totally unsure the best way to solve the equation is to pick up a baseball bat. Which way do you swing? Keep in mind that there really is no right or wrong answer to this question. You want to try both positions and find out which one feels more natural to you. Do you have more power batting in the right hand position or in the left hand position? This will be the style of the hockey stick that you will want to go with.
Composite Hockey Stick
Some of the best hockey sticks are the composite hockey sticks. And, this is probably why you will find most NHL players using these sticks. They are constructed from woven carbon fiber and fiberglass blends. This unique combination of materials makes the sticks extremely light in weight with the ability to provide consistent performance. The only bad thing about these sticks is that they aren’t as durable as the other models available, but their performance offerings are unparalleled.
The Wood Hockey Stick
Wood hockey sticks these days are considered somewhat outdated, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t have a lot to offer. You won’t see these sticks in the NHL, but they are extremely cheap and offer a durability that cannot be matched. Some downsides to this type of stick are that it is two to three times heavier than other models and it provides inconsistent performance levels. The more the stick is used it will wear and cause the performance and accuracy to decline.
Choosing The Size And Flex
You will find that hockey sticks come available in a range of sixes and flexes. There are basically four different size categories and each category will require a certain class of stick flex. This would be the senior, intermediate, junior and youth. A senior stick will have a flex rating of 75 to 120. The intermediate will have a flex rating of 55 to 70. The junior stick will have a flex rating of 40 to 50 and the youth hockey stick will have a flex rating of 20 to 35.
When you hear the term flex this is just a basic representation of how flexible the stick is when force is applied. It indicates how many pounds it takes to flex the stick one inch. Utilizing the right flex will provide your shot with more velocity.