Wielded by players to control and shoot the puck, the hockey stick is an essential part of the game of hockey. From its inception, the hockey stick has been a highly personalized piece of sports equipment. Each hockey player selects and modifies the stick to suit the requirements of the individual. Today, hockey sticks are available in a range of sizes, flex strengths and materials to accommodate the needs of any player and help obtain a competitive edge in the sport.
History
Originally hockey sticks were made by the players themselves and varied greatly in form. As the sport progressed, the National Hockey League established rules to limit the length and shape of hockey sticks. In the early 1920s, hockey sticks with curved blades were introduced, providing a higher level of control when handling the puck. Shooting, however, was difficult with blades that were bent beyond a certain point and in the 1960s the NHL implemented a rule limiting the curve of a blade to 1 inch or less. Throughout the latter part of the 20th century continuing to this day, new materials, designs and engineering allow the hockey stick to become lighter more flexible and more durable.
Form
Hockey sticks typically consist of a long shaft with a rectangular cross section that acts as the handle of the stick. The handle is typically 4 to 6 feet long, depending upon the size and needs of the player. At one end of the handle is the blade, a long and flat section of the stick that angles away from the end of the handle. The blade of the hockey stick is curved to provide better puck control. Tape is frequently added to the handle to provide better grip. Only the goalie hockey stick vary significantly from other hockey sticks, possessing a wider blade that runs part way up the handle.
Materials
Many hockey sticks are still made of wood, which was the original material of choice when the sport began. Solid wood handles and blades have been replaced by more stable and flexible laminate woods held together with epoxy resin. In the 1970s, aluminum shafts with plastic blades became popular. Hockey sticks made of lightweight and durable titanium, graphite, Kevlar and carbon fiber are also available.
Use
Hockey sticks are designed to take a lot of punishment. The stick must be light and flexible to provide easy handling, yet rigid enough to withstand and transmit the force of a slap shot to the puck. players often tune their sticks. They adjust the length, angle of the blade to the shaft, blade width and curvature and taping styles to suit their playing individual playing style. Offense players, according to Dick's Sporting Goods, use a shorter stick that offers better puck control, while defense players prefer the increased reach of longer sticks.
Member Comments