CCM Jetspeed FT7 Pro Hockey Stick Review: Feel the speed, control the game
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Time to read 7 min
We love a Jetspeed launch. Meet the FT7 Pro.
Our first CCM stick launch of the year! Exciting times. The shop is buzzing with excitement. Sometimes it feels like Christmas Eve here at The Hockey Shop when a fresh batch of sticks rolls in the back door. Lucky for us, this stick is a smasher. People have been calling to ask about the FT7 Pro for months. Jetspeed stick launches are the best because that means we get Connor McDavid content! Woohoo! He tends to like using gear from the stone age (looking at you, OG Jetspeed skates) but nonetheless, he'll always be willing to model the latest and greatest for our friends at CCM. Even though he might not use it, non-NHL legends like us will DEFINITELY be using it. So, let's talk about the FT7 Pro.
"Feel the puck, Feel versatile, Feel more."
This is CCM’s slogan for the FT7 Pro launch and it’s a perfect callback to what’s made everyone fall in love with the Jetspeed stick family. It’s the Goldilocks of CCM sticks. Everything is just right. My gut feeling is that every player falls into one of three categories. Pop, power, or feel. I know we all love cereal so it’s like the snap, crackle, pop of hockey sticks. If you love pop, you go Ribcor. If you want more power, you go Tacks. But if you want to truly, madly, deeply FEEL the puck then you go with ‘ol faithful, Jetspeed. In this case, the FT7 Pro. It’s the most popular at the professional and amateur level for good reason. It’s a jack of all trades. While some of us were meant to be specialists on the ice, most of us need every possible advantage to light the lamp. That’s where the FT7 Pro steps up. Thanks, CCM! CCM sent some copy to introduce the stick so let’s go through those snippets quick.
"Whether you’re about to snipe from the top of the circle or make a game-changing play, the new CCM Jetspeed FT7 Pro stick has got your back."
Totally agree - the Jetspeed family has been a huge hit, and the FT7 Pro will be popular too. When somebody is looking for a stick recommendation, we often ask what they’re using right now. At the end of the day, you want the stick to feel like an extension of your body. In the biggest moments you want to feel locked and loaded with the puck. No bobbles or slips. You want surefire confidence that you’re about to rip the puck past the goalie. So, if you’re coming from FT5 Pro or FT6 Pro you’ll be locked in with the FT7 Pro. While it is a slightly rounded shaft geometry, we still view it as a Goldilocks in that area. It feels secure and comfortable in your hands.
"With its trusted hybrid kick point and new RR-110 blade with Helicoid Technology, this stick can take it all and keep performing at the highest level."
Hockey is a chaotic sport. Anything can happen. I do love the hybrid kick point on the Jetspeed sticks. It just feels like you can get all kinds of shots off and don't have to worry about hand placement or flex style as much. With a low kick you need to keep your hand a bit higher to get the full whip, but with the FT7 Pro I feel like I can shoot quicker without needing to change the hand placement. And the blade goes hand in hand with that style. I think that has been the biggest improvement over the last 10 years is that the companies are doing such a good job matching the blade feel to the kick points. Without getting into the weeds too much, the Helicoid tech on the FT7 Pro helps make the blade resistant to softening over time. We like that!
"Made from a proven method of stacking carbon layers, this blade is engineered to withstand even the toughest abuse on the ice, while enabling new levels of control and feel when passing or handling the puck."
People are always going to talk about stick durability, but we obviously sell a ton of sticks, and the breakage rate isn't nearly as high as people think. Considering how lightweight and high performing these sticks are, they're incredibly durable. Sure, you'll see the odd one break on an off balance slapshot with the stick torqued a weird way or after getting slashed but under normal use these things take a beating. Keep in mind that usually if a stick breaks on a harmless play, it was likely banged up on a harsher play before that. And if it truly does break on your first pass, that's what the warranty is for. The other benefit of the FT7 Pro featuring Sigma STP spread tow carbon weave (try saying that 10 times fast) is that the carbon is extremely consistent throughout the stick. Consistency is obviously a huge plus. The main benefit? A perfectly balanced feel with the FT7 Pro. We like that too!
"This incredibly agile and responsive stick will give you the speed and maneuverability you need to stay ahead of the competition."
This comes back to that hybrid kick point. It's the bread and butter of the FT7 Pro. I truly feel like this style lets you drive wide and get your bottom hand up high to protect the puck, but it still lets you fire one short side without too much downforce. At the same time if you're moving to hit a one timer on the backdoor and are forced to crouch down low (say the pass is a bit too far ahead) then you can still get a full force shot off with your hand set a bit lower. No issue with the FT7 Pro. That versatility is what makes this stick so popular at the NHL level. And it’s not just about shooting. Sometimes with a stick you need to adjust your stickhandling and passing a bit as you adjust to the new model. The stick’s raised FT Microfeel grip compliments the shaft geometry perfectly. It’s like a symphony in your hands. Okay, a bit over the top, but it does feel fantastic.
“Okay fine, but does it look cool?”
CCM didn’t write that part – I made that up. But I do really want to talk about the graphics. Graphics are cool! It’s the first thing we see and the first thing we talk about when we see a new stick. The FT7 Pro graphics are MUCH more toned down compared to the FT6 Pro. CCM went a bit bold with lots of white accents on the FT6 Pro but the FT7 Pro reverts to a darker look that we saw with the FT5 Pro. Hockey players might have bright personalities in the locker room but on the ice we’re serious all business - make it sleek - make it clean. That’s the M.O. here with the FT7 Pro. It’s mostly dark with the signature Jetspeed red sprinkled in. It does show off the carbon weave which I love. It’s incredible technology and deserves to be shown off. For a top end stick, I also love to see some shiny. It gives it a premium feel. We don’t want to see any top end sticks without the shiny. The FT7 Pro has the perfect amount of shiny so call it a hat trick. Clean and sleek, show off the guts, make it shiny. It ticks all three boxes.
“Love it. Does it come in a heel curve?”
No! This is 2024. Heel curve enthusiasts need to get with the times! Only the elite shooting curves for the FT7 Pro. As a former Iginla curve fanatic, I got tired of scouring the web looking for pro stock sticks. I’d end up buying a 3 pack on eBay off a kid playing D1 in the states. His career just ended, and he needed money for a laptop at his new job selling insurance. When that supply ran out, I was doomed. But… I moved to the P29 and have never looked back. You can learn to shoot with any curve and the current selection has been curated by the top players. NHL stars aren’t using a blowtorch and a door jam anymore, they’ve perfected going top shelf with the core four curves. Here are the options for the FT7 Pro:
- P28: Best for players who favor quick, lifting shots.
- P29: Offers excellent all-around capabilities, ideal for puck handling in confined spaces.
- P88: A traditional curve that excels in stickhandling and rapid wrist shots.
- P90TM: A blend of P29 and P28 features, providing a taller blade for a unique playing experience.
“Zzzzz c'mon - wrap it up!”
In conclusion, we love the FT7 Pro! Staff have been raving about it in the shooting room. Pre-orders are flying off the shelves. It feels good to start the launch season on such a high note. If you’re a Jetspeed player, the FT7 Pro is a no brainer. If you’re missing high and wide a bit more than usual, maybe you should be a Jetspeed player. Official launch is May 10th, 2024. We’ll do our best to keep these stocked up and if you have any questions give us a call, we love to talk shop!
We will have custom colours offered with the FT7 Pro at some point during the Summer so stay tuned for that! The ETA is June 28th, 2024.
