How To Choose Hockey Sticks

Choosing the right hockey stick can be tricky. Do you need a wood or composite stick? Are you playing roller hockey or ice? How tall should the stick be? Choosing the right hockey stick can be simple as long as you know a few guidelines before buying one.

1. The first thing to consider is the type of hockey you are planning on playing. If its ice hockey your choices are wood or composite, but if you are playing roller hockey you will want a stick made of a composite material or plastic.
2. Wood sticks are easy to handle and cost much less than their modern counterparts. The size of the stick is also easy to adjust to the individual player; as the stick can be cut down to the correct size with a saw. On the other hand, wooden sticks also weigh more and break easier. If you are just playing hockey for fun or in a recreational league, wood may be the way to go.
3. Composite hockey sticks are now the norm in competitive hockey. Composite materials commonly used in hockey sticks are graphite, fiberglass, aluminum, Kevlar, and titanium. Fiberglass and graphite sticks are usually made of a wood core and then covered in the material. You can also purchase composite shafts that have interchangeable blades. If you're playing street hockey, this is the way to go because asphalt will shred blades.
4. Choosing the correct height for your stick can be difficult. When going to pick out a hockey stick make sure to bring your skates/blades with you. When at the store, lace up your skates and hold the hockey stick in front of you, blade down. The top of the shaft should come up between your chin and the tip of your nose. If it is out of this range you will have difficulties handling the stick well.
5. The final thing to consider is blade angle. The correct angle is determined by the position you play and what hand you shoot with. If you play a forward position you will want more of a curve in the blade than you would if you play defense. The angles help sharpen shots at the goal, while the straighter blade can stop the puck without too much residual bounce. All angles come in both left and right facing positions. Take angle into careful consideration when choosing your hockey stick.

Follow these few guidelines and you'll have no problem in knowing how to choose the right hockey stick.