In time for the 2026-27 season, Sherwood has unveiled a new addition to the CODE family: the CODE Photon. With both new and returning tech, this stick is engineered for elite-level performance that holds up shift after shift, game after game. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Photon and see how every part fits together.

Sherwood CODE Photon Graphics

The stick features a sleek, black base with deep purple accents, finished with an iridescent sheen that changes colour in the light as you move. The other thing you’ll notice are the stripes running length-wise along the shaft, lining up with the other text logos and accents. Of course, the Sherwood text logo sits along the centre of the shaft, outlined in silver and iridescent accents. You can find the series’ text logo, CODE, above Sherwood, and the technologies in the stick are visibly marked along the stick in darker purples for a subtle, non-distracting look.

The stick’s name comes from photon, which is a tiny particle of light that doesn’t carry an electric charge, nor does it have any mass at rest. Photons are also known for travelling at the speed of light in a vacuum. You might find that looking through the stick’s tech, its design is also loosely based on this concept—it’s lightweight with minimal graphics and offers power, speed, and precise accuracy while keeping to the basics of what’s needed in a hockey stick.

Hybrid Kick Point and Energized Velocity Taper (EVT)

Sherwood’s CODE series is their hybrid kick point line, which makes it a solid choice for players who find themselves in a variety of positions and situations on the ice. Hybrid kick point sticks work best with playmakers—a note you’ll see along the bottom of the shaft as well.

The hybrid kick point is designed to be a middle ground between low and mid kick point sticks, meaning it adapts to your game, whether you need power in your shot or speed in your release.

The stick carries over the Energized Velocity taper (EVT), seen previously on other CODE sticks like the Encrypt 2. This taper has been refined on the Photon for even better energy transfer and precision on shots and passes. With the hybrid kick point, these qualities are especially ideal for smoother loading and quicker releases while still fully energizing your shot.

Shaft Design, Blackline NXT, and Dual Carbon Frame (DCF)

Sherwood built the CODE Photon with Blackline NXT, an aerospace-grade carbon fibre layered consistently throughout. The material keeps the stick’s structure durable and able to withstand quick and powerful shooting.

If you’ve followed Sherwood, particularly their Rekker line, then you may have seen their Dual Carbon Frame (DCF) build before, which has now made its way into the CODE Photon. The concept behind DCF revolves around the shaft’s internal and external carbon layup, and how the fibres are woven together in a unified structural framework, rather than separate layers. This tech is primarily what makes the stick last a long time.

Sticks break down naturally over time as micro-fractures develop in the carbon; to address this, the weave in DCF distributes stress more evenly across the shaft, preserving the flex profile and pop much better than a standard stick. The consistency and strength that comes out of the weave keep the performance consistent and enduring across many consecutive ice sessions.

To complement all the tech along the shaft, the stick is also designed with rounded corners and a corner tactile grip. This combination is ideal for those who want a comfortable, traditional feel that also promotes quick and precise adjustments.

Feather Lite XT and Balance Point

You’ll find the little Feather Lite XT logo along the bottom of the shaft, the implication being exactly as it sounds. Sitting somewhere around 367g in weight, the CODE Photon is one of Sherwood’s lightest sticks to date and one of the lightest on the market. The lighter build helps make the stick feel seamless during stickhandling, especially with tougher, more technical moves.

The stick also features an adjusted balance point, sitting higher than usual for a hybrid kick point. This positioning translates into even greater energy load and improved puck control.

VR92 Dampened Blade

As seen in other Sherwood sticks, the VR92 Dampened Blade has been carried over to the CODE Photon as well.

One key component of a high-quality stick is in the blade’s construction; a good blade will help you shoot hard, but a great blade can help you catch passes and shots cleanly, too. VR92 puts dampening material in the blade that disperses and weakens vibration when the puck hits your stick, making it much more comfortable to catch your teammates’ passes and handle the puck with ease.

Dampening tech is great for performance, but can occasionally cause the blade to wear down quicker, depending on the materials used, both internal and external. The CODE Photon counters this with reinforcement material in both the heel and toe for greater impact resistance and blade durability.

Final Thoughts

I love the overall construction and planning that went into the design of this hockey stick. The rounded shape and tactile grip make for one of my favourite feels on a stick, and when you factor in the balance adjustments, it’s clear why this stick is one of the most anticipated equipment releases for the upcoming season. As an athlete who competes across a wide range of teams and levels, I greatly appreciate how each piece of high-end tech is paired with durability-focused tweaks, giving you that elite feel on a stick built to last. We are excited to see where the CODE Photon goes from here.

See our video review of the Sherwood CODE Photon: