There are three things a beginner should consider when choosing a hockey stick:
- Which size? Hockey sticks come in adult and junior sizes.
For very young skaters the shaft size of a junior stick is more
proportional to their hand size. Do not buy an adult stick for a
young player and cut it down.
Sticks are available in all-wood or aluminum and composite shafts with replaceable wood blades. Beginners should keep it simple and choose a wooden stick.
- Right or left? It is not necessarily true that if a player is right-handed, he/she shoots right. Whichever feels natural is "correct." Pick up a stick and notice where the bottom hand is. If the bottom hand is the left hand, then you shoot left and need a left hand stick. If the bottom hand is right, then you shoot right.
- Length? A good rule of thumb to determine proper stick length is — with your skates on — to hold the stick straight up and down in front of you with the toe of the stick touching the ground. Mark the stick just below the chin and cut with a saw.
Other stick considerations as you become more experienced:
- Taping the blade helps control the puck. Players also tape the end of the shaft, creating a knob for a better grip and making it easier to pick up a dropped stick
- Generally speaking, the selection of junior size sticks is limited. As players move into adult sizes, choices in blade curves, or patterns, and lies (the angle between the blade and shaft) are greater.
Stick Types
- Wood Sticks: Generally manufactured with a standard square shape. These are generally the heaviest sticks. They have good value but have poor shaft consistency and may break easier.
- Aluminum Shaft: They are higher priced than wood but are more durable with consistent shaft flex. You also have a choice as to the degree of flex in the shaft, usually, medium stiff and extra stiff.
- Composite Shafts: Can be found in different shapes, weights and flexes. A composite shaft should be purchased for improved shaft consistency, shot speed accuracy and its lighter weight. These are usually more expensive and have less durability than Aluminum.