How to Buy Ice Hockey Sticks

Ice Hockey Sticks are used to score a goal in icemore. When one is going for superior durability, one
hockey. It is used to propel, control, pass and carry theshould grab a stick that has a shaft made up of
puck around the rink. It has two main parts; the shaftaluminum or titanium. Titanium offers more flexibility
and the blade. The shaft is the long part of the stickthan aluminum and is lighter, but as expected, they are
held directly by the player. At the end of the shaft, itmore expensive. Kevlar was originally used for
extends at one end to a flat wide surface and givesenforcing the strength of aluminum, but are now
way for the blade. The official stick measurements areavailable as the lone material for shaft.
as follows: the shaft should not be longer thanWhen buying a stick, try to get a good look while at
sixty-three inches; the blade should not be longer thanthe store. Hold it like how you would on the ice to
twelve inches and the width should be 2 to 3 inches.determine the lie of the stick and gauge if you are
Sticks of the goalkeeper differ from other players. Thecomfortable with it. It should have a 5-degree angle
blades are wider measuring 3-4 inches and longer, upwith the floor; otherwise, the shaft stands straighter,
to fifteen inches. The shaft also contains a protectivemaking it hard to maneuver. Also check for the sticks
knob at the tip.flexibility, which is printed on the shaft. The higher the
When buying, consider the materials used for the stick.number, the more durable it is. This is of particular
Ice hockey sticks can be made of fiberglass, wood,concern for defensemen as their job includes
graphite, aluminum, Kevlar, or titanium. Sticks madeattempting to snatch the puck from the opponents
from wood are the cheapest and have a good fit forwhere hitting the sticks of other players in inevitable.
young players. This is best for amateurs who are yetThe most advisable stick is the one with detachable
to start their lessons on ice hockey. Wooden sticksblades and shaft. One-piece sticks are not ideal for
have acceptable flexibility and durability and from this,beginners as they do not offer much adaptability. Use
the player can gauge the properties he would want forit only when you are sure of your preferences.
his permanent stick. The disadvantage of wood is thatChoosing ones stick is something only the user can do.
its strength fades overtime and therefore weakensThere are no hard and fast rules. The stick should
and becomes easily broken. They are also the leastcomplement the position of the player and the player
standardized.himself. Before sealing the deal with the buyer, make
Graphite sticks also offer the same familiarity as thesure that you are able to evaluate the stick and that
wood, but quite stronger and is more expensive. Foryou are comfortable with it so that it becomes a part
professional players, this is impractical since theof your body during the play.
durability does not differ much from wood but costs