How to Select the Correct Hockey Stick

Determine whether you need a right- or left-curved hockey stick blade. The blade should curve so the puck is on your forehand. When you hold the stick, one hand grips the end, also known as the butt, and the other is farther down the shaft. The lower hand determines which direction of curve you need and whether you're a right- or left-handed shooter.

This is really a matter of feeling. Try holding a right-handed stick as if you were playing, then repeat with a left-handed stick. Go with what feels right. More often than not, people who are right-handed choose left-curved, or left-handed, sticks, and left-handed people choose right-curved sticks. This is because the dominant hand should be at the top of the stick as the hand that coordinates stick movement.

Find the correct length. There are three standard lengths: junior, intermediate, senior. To find your fit, stand up straight and place the stick upright directly in front of you with the toe of the blade pointing away from your body. A stick that is the right length for you should come up to your nose.

Determine the degree of blade curve you want. A small curve allows for better puck control and easier backhand shots. A larger curve is beneficial for lifting the puck but hinders backhand passing and shooting. Many players choose a low to moderate curve for optimal puck handling.

Consider what type of shaft you want. This is a two-part decision. It will depend on the amount of flexibility and the material you want.

The amount of flex in a hockey stick controls the amount of energy you can apply from the stick to the puck. The flexibility allows the stick to bend and create a spring effect as you shoot by transferring the extra momentum to the puck on contact. Each stick has a shaft flex rating. A rating of 85 is a medium flex; this is generally a good starting point because it allows enough bend to accelerate the shot without reducing accuracy. The lower the number, the more flexible the shaft. Higher numbers indicate stiffer shafts. If a shaft is too flexible it will reduce the accuracy of your shot; if it is too stiff, it will result in a shot with less velocity.

Shaft material is largely a personal decision. The biggest differences among materials are weight and price. Wood is the traditional and cheapest material. New-style sticks are made of fiberglass, aluminum, Kevlar, titanium or graphite and are generally lighter and more expensive than wood. Composite sticks are a midrange option. They have wood blades (which can be interchanged), but the shafts are made of one of the new-style materials.