Stick length tends to be a preference, but you can use these general guidelines to help determine what is best for you. Sticks come in Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Youth lengths with corresponding flex options. You will need to consider your weight and height or the person you are buying for in order to choose the correct size. Junior, Youth and Intermediate sticks will have smaller shaft dimensions, making them easier for young players to hold and control.
A stick can always be cut down in length, and will usually be cut down for kids, however selecting too big of a size can hinder performance. For kids, junior, intermediate and senior all come in roughly standards length. Look at each and compare the height of the player. You will want to pick the closest length to their full height. Next look at the flex, each size has set flex options, you can think of these numbers as pounds of force. Typically, if the flex of the stick is too close to the player’s weight, the stick will be too stiff and with restrict performance.
Sizing after Purchase
Once you have received the stick you selected, it is time to make sure it is dialed in. To determine your proper height stand with your shoes off and the stick against your body with the toe on the ground. As a general rule of thumb we recommend sticks to come up to between your mouth and nose. For kids, or players who are still growing, the maximum height we recommend is eye level.
Mark the shaft of the stick where the height is desired and cut it down to length. Re-inserting the plug from the top if it is a composite stick. Keep in mind that the shorter you cut a stick, the stiffer it becomes. As a general rule, a stick increases 3% in stiffness for every inch cut off.
Information to Consider
Flex Options
Players want to be able to fully flex the stick. If a stick is too soft, the resulting shot will be inaccurate and weak. If a stick is too stiff, there will be no power behind the shot. Think of the flex number as pounds of force. This is the number of pounds that need to be put into the stick to fully flex it.
Senior Flexes: 75, 85, 95, 100, 110 - Shaft Dimensions: 3cm x 2 cm
Intermediate Flexes: 75, 70, 65, 60, 55 - Shaft Dimensions: 2.7cm x 1.7cm
Junior Flexes: 40, 45, 50 - Shaft Dimensions: 2.7cm x 1.7cm
Youth Flexes: 40, 30, 20 - Shaft Dimensions: 2.5cm x 1.5cm
Curve Options
Players want to be able to fully flex the stick. If a stick is too soft, the resulting shot will be inaccurate and weak. If a stick is too stiff, there will be no power behind the shot. Think of the flex number as pounds of force. This is the number of pounds that need to be put into the stick to fully flex it.
Lie
The blade lie describes the angle of the blade in relation to the shaft. A Lie 5 is a 135 degree angle and each lie increase is an angle decrease of 2 degrees (the higher the lie the greater the angle). A player’s body positioning impacts the lie needed. The straighter up the player stands, the more the toe of the blade will be on the ice. The deeper the player bends down the more heel of the blade will be on the ice. A lower lie is more recommended for a player that skates really bent over or uses a longer stick. A higher lie is recommended for a player that skates more upright and prefers a shorter stick.
If you’re noticing too much wear on the heel or the toe of your stick then it might be a good idea to get a different lie. Go to a lower lie if you’re experiencing a lot of heel wear and go to a higher lie if that wear is appearing closer to the toe.
Kick Point
Mid-Kick sticks & Low-Kick sticks: a mid-kick stick will have a stiffer taper so that it flexes more in the middle of the shaft. These sticks have a longer loading time but offer a more powerful shot, perfect for players taking a lot of slap shots.
A low-kick stick will have a stiffer middle of the shaft and softer taper so that it flexes at the bottom of the shaft closer to the blade. These sticks will have a much quicker release perfect for quick snap shots and writs shots.
Grip
There are two options when it comes to the finish on sticks: clear or grip. A traditional clear finish on a stick will allow for easy movement of the players hand up and down the shaft of the stick. A grip option is a “sticky” feeling down the shaft that will give the player better control when shooting. Leaning into a slap shot, the grip option will not allow the stick to twist in the players hand when the stick makes contact with the puck for a more accurate shot. Grip on a stick is a personal preference option that each player will have a different opinion on.
