About Hockey Sticks

In the midst of a hard-fought hockey game, hockey sticks take the punishment of multiple slaps against the ice with every pass of the puck. In ice hockey, the stick is the extension of the arm of a player zipping around the ice rink. Slap shots and backhands force contact between the hockey stick and ice, constantly placing stress on the stick.

  1. History

    • The first known hockey sticks were made in the 1850s by Mi'Kmaq carvers in Canada. These master carvers created hockey sticks from horn beam or yellow birch tree wood, the hardest wood available. With a long shaft handle and uniform blade, these earliest hockey sticks allowed early hockey players to perfect their shots with a reliable piece of equipment. During this time, there was no regulation in stick length. Instead, the length of shaft and blade was based on the preference of the player.

    Stik Length

    • Hockey stick length first became an issue during the 1927-28 National Hockey League (NHL) season. For the first time, the NHL regulated stick length to 63 inches. Most hockey players choose the longest stick that they can handle well. NHL regulations have retained the 63-inch maximum stick length.

    Stick Blades

    • During the 1926-27 season, players began dipping the wooden blade of their hockey sticks in hot water to bend the blade. This slight bend to the blade provided accurate shooting as well as more shot power. Curved blades came on the scene in the 1950s as manufacturers began bending blades to player preferences. Bent hockey stick blades allow players to shoot from different shot angles with more power. However, player shots became very unpredictable and extremely hard to defend.

      Up until the 1967-68 season, the NHL allowed a one-inch curve between the shaft and blade of a hockey stick. In the 1970-71 season, the measurement of this curve was lowered to one-half inch. The NHL has retained this blade curve allowance.

    Terminology

    • The hockey stick shaft represents the longest length of the hockey stick from the connection with the blade to the end of the shaft. The shaft is essentially the "handle" of the hockey stick.

      Blades are the portion of the stick that makes contact with the ice and puck. Hockey sticks are available with the shaft and blade separate to allow players to mix and match the construction to their preference.

      Blade lie refers to the angle of the blade in relation to the hockey stick shaft. Blade lie is measured as a hockey player assumes his regular stance and places his stick on the ice to simulate play.

      The blade curve is the amount of curve to the blade. Curve is affected by the location of the curve on the blade itself. Blade curve choices are greatly affected by how a player makes contact with the puck.

      The blade heel is the edge of the blade where the blade and shaft meet. Blade toe refers to the shape at the very end of the blade. Hockey stick flex refers to the amount of flexibility in the stick when applying force.

    Construction

    • Hockey sticks can be made of hard woods, aluminum, graphite or fiberglass. Some sticks are composed of layers of wood with a wrapping of fiberglass to increase strength. Blades and shafts are constructed separately. Blades are constructed of extremely strong ash wood and are covered with a fiberglass sheathing for strength.

      Shafts are composed of dried wood that is cured completely to inhibit warping. Sheets of dried wood are glued together in multiple layers to increase strength. The hockey stick is then cut to the correct shape with a joint included to allow for the attachment of the blade to the shaft.