Hockey Stick Basics: Shaft and Materials

Sept 8, 2023 || By Katie Lakusta

Ice hockey is a thrilling and fast-paced sport that requires skill, athleticism, and top-quality equipment. Among the essential equipment for any hockey player, the hockey stick stands out as a critical tool that can make all the difference on the ice.

Over the years, the materials used to make hockey sticks have evolved; some materials stood the test of time, whereas some are best left forgotten. From traditional wooden sticks to modern composite materials, each material has its benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we'll explore the various materials used to make hockey sticks, their unique properties, and how they impact a player's performance on the ice.

Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner looking to buy your first stick, understanding the different options available can help you make an informed decision that will enhance your game.

Shaft

In terms of length, you will not only want to keep in mind your height, but also the flex you want. Before purchasing a stick, determine how long it will be once you cut it to your size.

Shaft height is about preference. When standing in skates, most players will have their sticks cut somewhere between their chin and their nose. Some will play with longer sticks than that; likewise, others may prefer shorter cuts. Generally, longer sticks complement defensive play, whereas shorter sticks will complement offensive play. If you’re not sure or are nervous about cutting your stick, you can always start with a longer stick and cut more of the shaft off later as needed. Any standard saw will work, or you can ask our professionals at The Hockey Shop to help you cut the stick if you’re in the area.

Do note that cutting off more of the stick will result in a stiffer stick, or higher flex. We’ll have another article on stick flex later; for now, it’s just important to note how cutting the stick can affect the flex.

Shaft geometry and grip may be other factors to consider when deciding on a stick. Lower-end sticks may only vary in having a soft gloss grip or none at all (clear finish). Higher-end or middle-grade sticks could differ in their entire shape and grip texture. With CCM’s Ribcor series, for example, the shaft varies in shape all across to balance certain areas and keep others more mobile. In the same vein, Bauer’s Nexus series features a pentagon-shaped shaft for anatomical control. Nexus is also grippier to further increase that control; TRUE’s HZRDUS series, on the other hand, has less grip for quicker hand transitions along the shaft.

Wood Sticks

Traditional sticks back in the day were all wood, and for the nostalgic player, these sticks have managed to stand the test of time. They may be pretty heavy (nearly 3 times as much) compared to modern sticks, but they make up for that with their durability and more budget-friendly price.

If you can find a good one—as they are a bit rare nowadays—wood sticks may be a decent option for younger players, despite the weight. These sticks work well for kids because they usually cost less than $50 at most and are not that much heavier than their composite counterparts at younger levels.

The stick’s weight and lack of features may affect performance as you or your child rises up in level, so it may be worth investing in a lighter, more advanced stick when they start to get better and want to play more regularly.

Composite Sticks

These sticks get the label “composite” from being made of varying types of materials, usually carbon fibre and fibreglass. These elements are much lighter in weight than wood, but they sacrifice some durability for better performance and ease of use. The materials and construction are overall more expensive than wood.

Generally speaking, the more carbon fibre in the stick, the more expensive and higher-quality it will be; likewise, the more the stick is made of fibreglass, the heavier and less expensive. Epoxy resin is used to fuse multiple layers of carbon fibre sheets together to form the stick, with foam cores used often in the blade (depending on the manufacturer and quality of the stick).

Composite sticks are designed to improve your game. In a game that is constantly speeding up, some of the most effective tactics to strengthen one’s play are to reduce stick weight and add new, optimized tech to equipment. These sticks are far more common than wood nowadays, and they are also better at flexing and on the energy transfer. Kick points are also more refined in composite sticks than wood, and their overall construction.

By Rick Dikeman - en:Image:Wayne gretzky 1997.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53224

Historical Mention: Aluminum Sticks

Aluminum hockey sticks were popular in ice hockey for their durable design and lighter weight compared to fiberglass and wooden sticks. The material’s high strength-to-weight ratio made these sticks highly resistant to damage, which was a significant advantage for players looking for a long-lasting stick. They were also two-piece, making it easy to swap either the blade or shaft when necessary. In the 1980s and 1990s, aluminum sticks became increasingly popular, and some professional players—like Wayne Gretzky himself—even endorsed them. However, with the introduction of composite sticks, their popularity quickly plummeted, and aluminum sticks are no longer used as often in hockey today.

Composite sticks revealed the shortcomings of aluminum sticks, much like aluminum did with fibreglass. The rigid nature of the material made it difficult for players to sense the puck's position and adjust their shots accordingly. Players often found the unique sound of aluminum sticks contacting the puck off-putting. Moreover, when these sticks did break, they were susceptible to denting and bending, leading to a loss of shape and affecting the player’s performance. Once players started switching to more responsive and customizable composite sticks, the use of aluminum sticks in ice hockey rapidly declined.

Further Innovations

As the game evolves, composite materials have become the preferred choice for numerous ice hockey players. Manufacturers are in a constant state of innovation, exploring novel materials and designs to elevate stick performance to new heights.

A good modern example of this is one of Bauer’s newest sticks, the AG5NT, which uses boron fibre as the main component of its composite weave. The resulting stick is incredibly light—at 335g, it is currently the lightest stick on the market—with a whippier feel and more of a dampening effect when handling the puck.

As more manufacturers continue to further their research into usable crafting materials, we may soon enter into another new era of hockey sticks.

One-Piece Sticks

One-piece hockey sticks will be on the higher end of performance and feel. They give a noticeable connection between you and the puck, making it easier to control every aspect of your gameplay. They also feature the most tech, with some extra stability in the hosel. This style, commonly found in higher-end options, tend to be pricier than two-piece sticks. They can be over twice the cost of buying the blade and shaft separately and assembling them yourself.

Two-Piece Sticks

Two-piece sticks are like a less expensive DIY project. In addition, if either piece breaks, all you need to do is buy a replacement without needing to budget for an entire stick. This option also comes with more customization; if you struggle to find the specs you like in the one-piece variation, looking for the specs individually between shaft and blade pieces can be a good idea.

However, it’s important to note that two-piece sticks tend to have a bit of a downgrade in performance. One-piece sticks offer enhanced shot velocity, since manufacturers have greater flexibility in determining kick points and hosel, which are crucial for precise shot release. They can also add more to the taper, another crucial element in shot release. Two-piece sticks tend to miss out a lot on the extra benefits.

Key Takeaways

This article was a quick overview of the hockey stick and its components, particularly in materials and overall construction.

When choosing a stick, players should consider both their height and the desired flex, which can impact the stick's stiffness. Shaft height preference varies among players, with longer sticks typically complementing defensive play and shorter sticks favoring offensive play.

Different sticks may have varying shaft shapes and grip textures. Higher-end sticks often feature advanced shaft designs to balance different performance aspects.

Wooden sticks are traditional and durable but can be heavier than modern composite sticks. They are budget-friendly, making them suitable for younger players, but players may consider transitioning to a lighter stick as they advance in skill. Aluminum sticks were popular in the past due to their durability and lightweight design; however, they lost popularity with the introduction of composite sticks, which offered better performance and customization.

Composite sticks overall are lighter and offer better performance than their predecessors. The proportion of carbon fibre in the stick affects its cost and quality. Composite sticks are the preferred choice for most players due to their flexibility, energy transfer, and more advanced technology. Manufacturers are continually experimenting with new materials and designs to enhance stick performance.

One-piece sticks provide a strong connection between the player and the puck, offering better control. They are typically higher in performance and feature advanced technology, but they tend to be more expensive. Two-piece sticks offer more customization and can be more cost-effective, since players can replace individual components if they break. However, they may have slightly reduced performance compared to one-piece sticks, particularly in terms of shot velocity, release, and durability.