Learning About Ice Hockey Sticks

If you are an ice hockey player, then you know that aside from skates or your protective uniform, ice hockey sticks also form part of the essential equipment needed so you can play the sport. On the ice, you can see two types of sticks. One is the regular hockey stick and the other is the goalie hockey stick.

Their difference lies mainly in their structure. The goalie hockey sticks, which are used mainly for defense do not have the curved blades that are found on the regular hockey sticks. They are mainly used for blocking shots as opposed to calculating and making them.

Early hockey sticks were made from wood, the most popular of which was the ash wood. So durable was it that it was said to last for the duration of a player’s career. They are much heavier though. Later on, other styles of hockey sticks, such as the laminated ones, came out. These had synthetic materials as coatings.

Currently, composite hockey sticks are said to be the most popular. They are also a bit more expensive. They combine the durability of wood with the lightness of aluminum. Wood is still more durable, however. Still, their heaviness may be a factor as to why composites are much more popular.

An ice hockey stick has three parts, namely the shaft, the blade and the toe. The lie is a term used to refer to the angle between the shaft and the blade. A bigger lie is much more suited for tall players while a smaller lie is for smaller players or those who tend to play in a crouching position.

It is important, too, that an ice hockey stick be flexible. The hockey stick flex measures the stiffness or flexibility of an ice hockey stick when pressure is applied to it.

The flexibility of a hockey stick will depend very much on the player using it and what position they are playing. More flexible ice hockey sticks will work to the advantage of forwards while stiffer ones work best for those in defense. This is also due to the fact that they take different types of shots.

It is generally recommended that a good combination between flexibility and stiffness be considered when selecting an ice hockey stick. Too much stiffness will compromise the accelerating effects the stick can have while too much flexibility will reduce accuracy of shot.

There are two main parts of Easton hockey sticks, the Easton hockey shafts and the hockey blade. Some sticks come together as a one piece stick and others can be bought as a separate shaft and blade.