In its earliest form, a hockey stick was carved out of a solid piece of wood. It was the player's responsibility to build it, take care of it and replace it. After that, the production of hockey sticks became big business, particularly in Canada where the game is more of a religion than it is a sport. Today, technology has turned simple one-piece wood hockey stick into an amalgam of wood, aluminum and composites. The idea behind the change in the materials used is to produce a stick that is light, strong and capable of responding to a player's subtle hand movements when it comes to passing the puck and receiving a pass. Hockey sticks are manufactured in two parts--the shaft and the blade. Since the blade is in consistent contact with the ice, the puck and other player's sticks, it gets worn out quickly and needs to be replaced. Blades are usually made from a combination of wood and composite material and they must meet certain dimensions in order to be legal. The National Hockey League requires a blade that is no longer than 12.5 inches, 2 to 3 inches in height and with a curve of a 1/2 inch or less.
What to Look for
Comfort and feel are the most important part of any hockey stick. A player can't perform well if the stick he is using is either too long or too short or too heavy. A player needs to find a stick that is built to the basic specifications of the way he plays. For example, a defenseman needs a longer stick that gives him a greater reach when attempting to block a shot or intercept a pass. Hockey is a sport in which offensive players need time and space to score goals, so a longer stick giving a defenseman greater reach can take away much of that space.
Offensive players usually want a shorter stick than defenseman. A shorter stick gives a player greater "feel" for the puck, allowing him to make intricate moves while still maintaining control. A playmaker, usually a center, may also want a stick that does not have much of a curve to it so he can pass equally well off of his forehand or backhand side. An explosive shooter will look for a stick with a steep curve (but no more ? an inc) that will allow him to fire the puck harder and put action on it. A curved stick can make a puck traveling at better than 95 miles per hour dip and dive, making a goalie's job very difficult.
Common Pitfalls
Younger players often make the mistake of looking for a particular stick because it is the same one that he may see a star player using on television. "If Alexander Ovechkin has a big curve on his stick, I want it also. It it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me." That kind of thinking has gotten young hockey players into trouble. The most important thing is fit and size. Having a big curve on a stick is almost never the right thing for a young player who has to work on his passing, stick handling and receiving skills just as much as his shooting. A stick that is lighter and shorter with a somewhat flat blade is usually better for those skills.
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