Best Hockey Sticks; The Ergonomics and Grip Your Game Needs
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Sher-Wood Hockey Stick -
CCM Crossover ABS Hockey Stick -
Cranbarry Hockey Stick -
Bauer Reactor Composite Hockey Stick -
CCM Jetspeed Hockey Stick -
STX Stallion Hockey Stick -
Warrior Senior Ritual Hockey Stick -
Buyer's Guide
A hockey player needs the perfect stick so they can be the best player they can be. Plain and simple. The right kind of stick can unlock a player’s true potential, and the wrong kind can limit and hurt it. There’s nothing worse than having a stick break or having a stick that can’t cater to your unique shot. So with hundreds available that all claim to be the best, how can a player really know which one is the best for them? Well look no further, because we’ve found the best hockey sticks in 2022 on the market, and they’ll truly elevate your game.
Comparing the Best Hockey Stick for 2022
Sher-Wood Hockey Stick - Best Hockey Sticks Overall
Most wooden sticks will leave a player worrying about using too much force on a shot. This is not one of those sticks. Not only can the 9950RG withstand slap shots, it encourages them. The 105 flex makes it a force to be reckoned with on heavy shots. Plus Sher-Wood has taken the necessary steps to make sure it will last longer than other wooden sticks by reinforcing the shaft with a double horizontal lamination cover on top of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The blade has also been reinforced with multi-directional impact resistant fiberglass. This stick can be used for street hockey, but it will make its biggest statement on the ice.
CCM Crossover ABS Hockey Stick - Runner Up
CCM brings us a great two way stick that can be used for both street and ice hockey. It’s a little longer than most other wooden sticks at 60 inches, so it feels comfortable and stable. The fiberglass reinforced aspen wood core adds extra durability and stiffness, and the reinforced blade will also hold up better than most. Players also have an Alex Ovechkin or Joe Thornton blade to choose from, which adds a great element of accuracy to an already dangerous stick. This is a great choice for power forwards.
Cranbarry Hockey Stick - Honorable Mention
To put simply, this is a basic stick to master the basic skills of hockey. It’s made to last longer than other wooden sticks, while still providing a small amount of flex to get a feel for how much pressure to apply to hard passes. It’s wonderful for practicing in the basement, or out on the pavement. But make no mistake, it can also can hold its own on the ice if you want to practice the basics without wearing down the blade on your composite stick.
Bauer Reactor Composite Hockey Stick - Consider
The best thing about this stick is its ability to just swallow and cushion incoming shots, which makes all the difference in protecting the five-hole. And it does so without causing a heavy vibration, which is a feature almost all other sticks have yet to perfect. Instead of decreasing the amount of carbon fiber, Bauer has placed designated air pockets throughout the shaft, which help keep the stick light, and staggers the inner fibers to allow the stick to last longer. It’s a little more expensive than some of the other options out there, but it truly is the best. And it will absolutely outlast other sticks.
CCM Jetspeed Hockey Stick - Best Goalie Stick
The easiest way to describe this stick is to call it well-rounded. It’s made to satisfy all types of goaltenders by complimenting any style of play. It’s outfitted with a terrific blade that can both slow down shots for rebound control and also aid in making accurate passes. But while most players will look directly to the blade, it’s the grip that may be the stick’s best feature. It’s made to work with the blocker’s palm to create a much wider range of motion than most are accustomed to. And that can make all the difference in quick diving stick saves.
STX Stallion Hockey Stick - Best Goalie Stick
The newest stick from Sher-Wood brings all of your favorite qualities from past models as well as a new level of comfort and durability. I was skeptical about how well this stick would last due to how thin the blade is, but it became a pleasant surprise when it held up without losing its power over time. In addition to being thin, it’s also very lightweight, but doesn’t go to light to the point where it feels insecure. The most interesting thing about this stick is the shaft design. Instead of running to the top of the blade, it runs entirely through the blade, which is what helps it to last so long.
Warrior Senior Ritual Hockey Stick - Best Goalie Stick
It should come as no surprise that Vaughn, a leader in goaltender equipment, would bring such a well put together stick. The 7900 embodies everything that a seasoned goaltender would look for in a top of the line stick. It has a rounded heel for optimal stick handling and shooting, EPP foam protection, and internal blade ribs to stop twisting. It has also been constructed with extra lightweight fiberglass and carbon fiber to absorb impacts with minimal vibration, which will help to reduce rebounds. The amazing price tag is just the icing on the cake.
Buyer's Guide
Any professional hockey player will tell you, being great at hockey is about more than having mad skills. You need the skills, but you won’t get very far with a bad hockey stick. A hockey player needs the stick to make passes, control the puck, shoot, and intercept passes. Also, it’s important for hockey players to use hockey sticks that match their skill level and style of play.
Most hockey players make the mistake of using sticks that are too stiff for them. This is supposed to make them look tough, but a stiff hockey stick actually limits a player’s performance.
There are important things to consider before buying a hockey stick and we will look at them. But first, let’s consider the parts of a hockey stick.
What are the Parts of a Hockey Stick?
There are three basic parts of a hockey stick: the butt end, the shaft, and the blade.
The Butt End/Handle
This part is also known as the knob. It’s the part of the hockey stick the player places their hand when playing. The hand he places here is his non-dominant hand, and he does so for stability and control of the stick.
The Shaft
This is the entire middle and flexible part of the stick. It’s flexible because it's used by the player to control the other parts of the stick. With this part of the stick, the player can control passing, shooting, and interceptions. Also, the sides of the shaft are designed to help the player with grip and support.
The Blade
The blade is the part of the hockey stick that makes contact with the ice. The area where the shaft meets the blade is called a hosel. This part of the blade affects the kick-point, and it determines how much the blade will bend under the torque. The blade is also divided into two parts: the toe and the heel.
The toe part of the blade is the end of the stick and it comes in two shapes, round and square. It is also known as the striking surface of the stick. While the heel is the part of the stick, that connects to the toe.
These parts of the hockey stick are expertly shaped by manufacturers to give the players the best stick possible, and modern technology has made it easier. Hockey sticks used to be handcrafted and made of wood, but today, additional materials have been introduced to create lighter hockey sticks.
Things to Consider When Buying a Hockey Stick
The Stick Length
The length of a hockey stick determines how well the player will handle it. It can’t be too long or short, it has to be the right size. The wrong stick size could break easily or it could limit the player when he/she tries to make a shot or pass. There’s a simple way to determine if the length of the stick is the right one for the player. The stick is placed on the floor, between the player’s legs while the shaft runs parallel to his/her body. If the end of the stick comes to the player’s nose when he/she isn’t wearing skates, then it’s the right size. Most players prefer a shorter or longer stick, which is why a stick can be cut short or a plug can be added at the end to make it longer.
The Kick-Point
For most hockey players, the kick-point is their first focus when choosing a hockey stick, and rightly so. The kick-point is divided into three, the low point, mid-point, and high point. The kick-point is the part of the stick that determines where the shaft bends the most during passing and shooting. The kick-point is important because it creates the force that generates the velocity to fire the puck.
When buying your hockey stick, consider what kind of player you and your style of play. If you are a player that prefers release speed over power and you take quick motion shots, then a low kick-point is perfect for you. If you prefer power over release speed and you take full motion shots, get a high kick-point stick. If you are versatile and comfortable with both styles, then get a mid kick-point stick.
Shaft/Material
Hockey sticks are made from two kinds of materials: wood and composite.
Wooden Hockey Sticks
Hockey sticks were traditionally made from wood, but modern-day hockey techniques demanded for a hockey stick with advanced curvature, and this could not be accomplished with just wood. There are still hockey sticks made from just wood, however, manufacturers can add a blend of materials to enhance the features of the stick. Wooden sticks are more affordable and have excellent quality; however, their quality depends on the wood used. Also, unlike composite sticks, wooden hockey sticks are prone to wear and tear.
Composite Hockey Sticks
These are made from a variety of woven fibers. Composite hockey sticks weigh less, provide more power, and are more durable than wooden hockey sticks. They also have a custom kick-point. Compared to composite hockey sticks, wooden hockey sticks are stiffer, and that can limit play performance for players.
Blade Curve
The main blade curves are the toe curve, mid curve, and mid-heel curve. The blade curve is the part of the blade that controls the puck, so plenty of consideration has to be given before you buy. Some professional hockey players prefer blades that allow them get the puck off the ice faster, but your blade choice depends on your style of play, it’s largely about personal preference.
FAQs
Q: What size of hockey sticks should I buy?
This is largely dependent on your height. The perfect size hockey stick for you would be one that touches your nose (when you aren’t wearing skates). However, the average size for an adult is 36.5 inches.
Q: Is a lighter hockey stick better?
This depends on your preference. Some hockey players prefer lighter hockey sticks because they are easier to maneuvers. Others prefer heavier sticks because it allows for more power on shots.
Q: How much do hockey sticks cost?
Hockey sticks will sit anywhere between $25-300 depending on the brand and extra features.
