TRUE’s Project X Storm hockey stick is touted as one of the smartest in the world—and we’ll see soon exactly why that is. As a Limited Edition stick, there aren’t a whole lot of these left, so we’ll quickly go over the stick’s specs to help you decide if it’s the right stick for you.

Graphics and Textured Grip

If you prefer more subtle and low-profile stick designs, then this is definitely a stick to consider. From a distance, the Project X Storm looks unassuming, and you’d barely catch the dark silver ‘TRUE’ logo. But you, as the player, will know for sure exactly what’s on this stick.

The Storm logo sits between movement lines, as if it’s trapped in the middle of a hurricane or tornado. These lines are all along the stick, at the same offset angle. At and near the centre are dark purple accents, which TRUE have also added what appears to be a sparkle to as well. These motion lines are indented, for better overall grip and feel.

Smartflex AI Kick Point

As a quick recap, the kick point on a stick is where the stick flexes, and it works on something of a spectrum: the higher the flex profile, the greater the power, while the lower the flex profile, the quicker the release.

That’s what makes the Smartflex AI flex profile one of the most exciting features on this model. Playing with it feels like a low kick, and it even says so right on the shaft. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

You probably noticed that the tech is kind of a play on words, being smart and AI. In a way, it kind of is like artificial intelligence. The stick’s flex point is actually more akin to a hybrid than a true low kick, and it’s designed to adapt to your game, whether the moment requires a low, mid, or high kick point. This means that when you need to release the shot quickly, the stick helps you load with speed and efficiency. At the same time, if the play requires a hard shot or accurate pass, then the stick is able to load higher up, giving you the power and precision that the play demands.

This effect is based around your hand placement, so if your hands are closer together, the stick releases quickly. For shots with increased power, your hands would be placed further away from each other.

Shaft and Geometry

The stick combines TRUE’s Resflo technology and Precision Laminate Design, or PLD, along the shaft to increase the overall durability of the stick. PLD has to do with ply angles to strengthen the laminate, while Resflo minimizes voids to make the laminate both stronger and more consistent. With a stick as light as this one, it’s reassuring to know that the weight can still be kept low without sacrificing its structural integrity.

The shaft shape is an optimized square shape to enhance responsiveness and control.

Blade

TRUE incorporated their highest level of Strategic Rib Technology, SRT4s, into the blade. The main idea is to mitigate torsional flex, which is when the blade twists as you shoot. It’s not just that twisting the blade kills your shot power, but it’s also super awkward on the ice to load up for a big shot, only to flub it. The carbon rib placement in the Storm’s design is based around keeping your shots and your control stable.

Final Thoughts - Is This Stick Right for You?

With limited stock left, now’s the time to decide if this stick fits your game. TRUE didn’t just have one demographic of player in mind when designing this stick, but all players, whether you’re a playmaker, defensive defenseman, or like to play up close. This is evidenced by the integration of the Smartflex AI kick point, which is designed to adapt to your play, no matter where you are on the ice.

It’s a small thing, but again, if you want a high-performance stick with an extremely low profile, then this is the perfect fit. Not everyone is the same, and confidence is a major factor in a lot of people’s games. Many of the best sticks on the market have very shiny and even flamboyant graphics, which is all fun and exciting, but maybe not the best fit for everyone. If you’re someone who wants to be a quiet but powerful force on the ice, this is a stick to consider. And this stick is limited edition—that’s pretty exciting all on its own.