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How To Buy A Hockey Stick
The hockey stick is an
extension of the hockey player's arm. This means the stick has to fit
properly, and the length, curve and lie angle need to match both your size and
body type as well as the type of game you play. Shaft types The shaft you
choose is largely a matter of personal choice. Shafts come in many different
materials for sticks with different weights and durability's.
Wood Sticks
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These are traditional sticks and are
usually less expensive than modern composite sticks
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You are able to fine tune your stick
by cutting or sanding it to make it more comfortable
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Wood sticks break more easily
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Wood sticks are heavier and tend to be
stiffer than other materials
Composites
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Modern shafts come in all sorts of
materials, including fiberglass, aluminum, carbon-graphite, kevlar and
titanium.
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The blades are usually still made of
wood and are attached to the composite stick with glue.
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These materials make for a lighter
stick, but are generally more expensive than wood.
Fiberglass
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Fiberglass sticks have a wooden core
and are wrapped/reinforced with a fiberglass outer coating
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They are the least expensive type of
composite sticks
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Their wooden core makes them somewhat
heavy
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They are not as strong as other types
of composite sticks
Aluminum
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The shaft is formed entirely of
aluminum
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Aluminum sticks are relatively
inexpensive
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They are also considered strong, but
not as strong as kevlar and titanium
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Compared to other composite sticks
they are considered heavy but are still much lighter than wood and
fiberglass
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They use replaceable blades
Graphite
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Graphite can be used many ways in
stick construction. It can be used to coat or reinforce a wooden core; it is
sometimes mixed with kevlar to form the shaft; and it can also be used
entirely on its own.
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Graphite is more expensive than
fiberglass and aluminum, but less expensive than kevlar and titanium
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Graphite sticks are considered strong
and lightweight
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They use replaceable blades
Kevlar
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Kevlar is often mixed with graphite to
form the shaft of a stick, but it can also be used on its own
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Kevlar sticks are one of the most
expensive
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One of the strongest and most
lightweight
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They use replaceable blades
Titanium
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Usually used alone for all-titanium
construction
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They are very expensive, similar in
price to Kevlar
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They are one of the strongest and most
lightweight, again similar to kevlar
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May use torch for blade insertion
Blades Blades are usually made of wood and attached to the composite stick
with glue. Some blades have Kevlar wraps on them.
Determining Your Blade Angle
Hockey sticks are identified
as "left," "right," or "straight." This refers to the curve of the blade.
Curved Blade
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You should buy a stick that has the
blade angled so that the puck is on the forehand during shooting
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A curved blade allows you to lift the
puck and put spin on it but makes it more difficult to shoot or pass
backhand
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A blade with a smaller curve gives you
lower shots and better control
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Players just starting to learn the
game should choose a blade with a lesser curve. A curved blade may inhibit
backhand passing or shooting.
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Blades are described according to
their curve
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Heel Open, Small
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Mid Round, Small
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Mid Round, Big
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Mid Round, Open
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Heel Open
Big Determining Your Stick Lie
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The lie is the angle between the blade
and the shaft
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A lie number is printed on the front
of the stick's shaft and ranges from 4 to 8
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The higher the number, the narrower
the angle between the blade and the shaft. The smaller the number, the wider
the angle. For example, a lie 4 stick has a wide handle-to-blade angle,
while a lie 8 has a smaller angle.
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As a rule, lower lie angle sticks are
used for players who skate low to the ice and carry the puck out in front of
them
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Lies 7 and 8 are for players who skate
upright and carry the puck close to their skates
One way to determine if you have the
proper lie is to examine your old stick. If the blade is worn on the toe, you
should try a higher lie. If your stick is worn on the heel, you should try a
lower lie. If the blade wears evenly, you are using the correct lie.
About Goalie Sticks
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Goalie sticks are larger and heavier
than regular sticks and are always made of wood
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Goalie sticks have wider blades, which
can extend 24 inches up the shaft
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The blade of a goalie stick can be 3
1/2 inches wide and up to 15 1/2 inches in length
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Most goalies use a lie from 11 to 15.
A higher lie stick is usually used by a stand-up goalie.
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In choosing the length of a goalie
stick, remember not to buy one that is too short. The shaft can always be
cut down if it seems too long, or you can choke up on the shaft to make it
easier to handle
API Hockey Online Store...If you don't shop here, you're paying too
much!
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