Not even we knew what this stick was going to look like before it hit our shelves.

Meet the Ribcor Trigger Unleashed Pro hockey stick, CCM’s newest top-end model in the Trigger series. Built with an ultralow kick point, stiff blade profile, and new Nitrocoil Fuze technology, this stick is engineered to be their snappiest, most responsive stick yet. We’ll take a closer look at the Unleashed’s features and then evaluate whether this stick is the right one to elevate your game.

First Impressions: Graphics

The graphics were a huge mystery to us when we first heard about the stick, and they did not disappoint. Like current Ribcor sticks, it uses a black colouration for the base, with some visibility on the carbon weave. That's when it gets a little more exciting along the accents, which are probably the first parts you’ll notice. With the release of the Ribcor Trigger 10 stick, the Ribcor family has had a bit of a makeover, now with teal accents rather than purple. With teal, there’s a bit more pop against the black backdrop, and for some added colour, the Unleashed also uses a vibrant pink as a secondary colour. As an additional pattern, CCM added small flecks, almost like rain or emphasis lines that appear to shoot out from the Ribcor text logo, which is both clean and original.

If the colours are a bit too flashy for your tastes though, it’s not a huge deal—the gear comes in a chrome colourway too.

Grip and Geometry

Now we’re looking at the feel of the stick in your hand. On paper, the stick has “EC shaft geometry” and a “Microfeel grip.” We can break it down a little.

The Microfeel grip includes a raised, ribbed texture where it matters most, along where your bottom hand will move along the shaft. It does end around the taper, but not in an area where your hand will reach anyway.

The EC shaft is a hybrid of two of CCM's grip designs. It combines their Ergonomic shaft, the signature shape of the Ribcor series, with their Contoured shaft, which mirrors a traditional profile but features slightly rounder edges. The stick does feel exactly like that—very traditional when you full-hand grip it, but you do also feel and even see the roundness on the corners.

The ergonomic profile sits lower on the shaft around the hosel, where the shape shifts into an asymmetrical taper, a familiar feature on E shafts and one that carries over here as well. This deep, concave hosel design is actually one of CCM's new techs: Nitrocoil Fuze, but we'll talk more about that when we look at the blade of the stick. Overall, the taper is designed to enhance the stick’s release while strengthening it with a powerful frame post design.

(Ultra)Low Kick Point

Unleashed is a Ribcor Trigger stick, which is CCM’s low kick point stick family. As a recap, low kick point—or low flex point—means the stick is designed for quick release rather than maximizing power. You’ll notice when you flex the stick, it’ll bend closer to the hosel and blade rather than the middle where a mid kick would flex. Less potential energy builds up, but that also means the snap on the shot happens much faster (hence, the higher responsiveness).

This isn't just a low kick stick—it's an ultralow kick, meaning the flex point sits even lower on the taper for a faster, snappier release. The sharper rib on the taper is designed to be rigid, which means less effort from you is required to release a hard shot.

Shaft

The stick uses CCM’s tried and true Nanolite Shield Technology, which is the carbon layering tech (how the plies are arranged) they use on their top models to keep the stick both strong and lightweight in your hands. They also use a Sigma ST2x carbon weave (how individual carbon filaments are interlaced), for consistency and durability. Not a whole lot to talk about here, since most of this is pretty standard for CCM highest price point.

Blade and Hosel

The Nitrocoil Fuze hosel in the Trigger Unleashed is an extra stiff hosel meant to complement the stick’s low kick point.

As mentioned earlier, the low kick point is designed to flex lower on the shaft for a quick release. This is because the energy you’re putting into the stick requires less time to travel from the shaft (at the flex point) to the blade before the shot is made. If you look at how this appears on the stick, though, you can imagine how much force is being put on a single spot near the bottom, and how easily it would break if it were soft.

To add, since flexing occurs further away from your hands on a low kick, it’s harder to control, which could cause unwanted torque. Torque  refers to the blade twisting on the puck, which is probably one of the most uncomfortable mishaps while shooting; you could have the biggest shot lined up, but then the blade twists, and suddenly all that built-up energy is off to float in the wind rather than empower your shot.

Especially with an ultralow kick point, the hosel and blade areas need to be stiff not only to withstand that focused power, but also to add some extra control and snap to the shot. Nitrocoil Fuze is meant to add some balance to the stick and provide greater responsiveness, accuracy, and consistency.

Final Thoughts - Is This Stick Right for You?

I’ve loved Ribcor sticks ever since I was a kid, even as a defenseman. Normally, low kick hockey sticks—and especially since this one is ultralow—are preferred by forwards, since their quick release greatly benefits fast shots up close to the net. If you’re someone who enjoys working and snapping the puck off in closer corners, then this is the stick for you.

And snap this stick does. I love the ultralow design paired with Nitrocoil Fuze. It feels like some architectural science at work, creating a stronger base that holds everything together. Of course, when you shoot, you’re pushing against that base to bend it, and the constant push and pull is what creates a nice, hard snap on release. That entire system would appeal greatly to anyone who wants to bump their snap shot game to the next level.