Wood hockey sticks have been the tool of choice for many generations of ice hockey players, but that is changing. Composite hockey sticks have been penetrating every level of hockey from the NHL all the way to first year hockey players just starting out. At the NHL level composite hockey sticks are use by almost 100% of all players. Does that mean that you should be using a composite hockey stick too? As you will see, there are good reasons to go with either choice.
Composite sticks have a couple of key performance advantages over wood sticks and as stated earlier they have become very popular at all levels of play. I think the most significant improvement that composite sticks have made is the ability to change the flex dynamics of the hockey stick. These changes include moving the flex points so lower so that the loading up and releasing happens quicker. Composite stick are often weight significantly less than wood sticks and this translates into a more active stick for a player.
The disadvantages of composite sticks are their feel and their (perceived) durability and cost. There is a commonly held belief that a wood stick telegraphs the sense of the puck on the stick better than a composite stick does. This difference in feel between wood and composite is getting smaller all of the time, to the point that you should try both and make your own decision. It is also believed by many that composite sticks break more frequently than wood sticks do. Many NHL teams have conducted their own research on this and they have found that the sticks break at the same frequency. The thing that does happen is that the wood sticks would feel like they were beginning to give out so players would get a new one before the break was obvious during game play. With composite sticks, they players can't tell if one is about to break and so they tend to break in a very dramatic fashion during games.
The biggest deciding factor for many players comes down to cost. Wood sticks run $15 to $50 for an excellent high end wood stick. Most composite sticks run $100 to almost $300. You have to ask yourself if there is enough of a difference in the performance between a wood stick and a composite stick to make it worth the extra money. If you are a fairly new player then it is unlikely that a composite stick will significantly improve your performance and many folks believe that you are better off learning with a wood stick due to the increase feel of a wood stick.
After making your selection you still need to choose the blade pattern to match your preferences and whether you shoot right or left handed. Your stick will need to be long enough to come up to your chin area when you are standing in skates and hold the stick vertically with one end on the ice in front of you. Hockey sticks also have a flex to their shafts just like golf clubs do. You will need a flex that woks for your skill, style on overall body weight and strength.
In the end it all comes to personal choice. You need to try out a large variety of sticks to find the one that is best suited to your skills and your budget. As your skills and experience improve over time you "perfect" hockey stick will evolve as well. - 15255
Composite sticks have a couple of key performance advantages over wood sticks and as stated earlier they have become very popular at all levels of play. I think the most significant improvement that composite sticks have made is the ability to change the flex dynamics of the hockey stick. These changes include moving the flex points so lower so that the loading up and releasing happens quicker. Composite stick are often weight significantly less than wood sticks and this translates into a more active stick for a player.
The disadvantages of composite sticks are their feel and their (perceived) durability and cost. There is a commonly held belief that a wood stick telegraphs the sense of the puck on the stick better than a composite stick does. This difference in feel between wood and composite is getting smaller all of the time, to the point that you should try both and make your own decision. It is also believed by many that composite sticks break more frequently than wood sticks do. Many NHL teams have conducted their own research on this and they have found that the sticks break at the same frequency. The thing that does happen is that the wood sticks would feel like they were beginning to give out so players would get a new one before the break was obvious during game play. With composite sticks, they players can't tell if one is about to break and so they tend to break in a very dramatic fashion during games.
The biggest deciding factor for many players comes down to cost. Wood sticks run $15 to $50 for an excellent high end wood stick. Most composite sticks run $100 to almost $300. You have to ask yourself if there is enough of a difference in the performance between a wood stick and a composite stick to make it worth the extra money. If you are a fairly new player then it is unlikely that a composite stick will significantly improve your performance and many folks believe that you are better off learning with a wood stick due to the increase feel of a wood stick.
After making your selection you still need to choose the blade pattern to match your preferences and whether you shoot right or left handed. Your stick will need to be long enough to come up to your chin area when you are standing in skates and hold the stick vertically with one end on the ice in front of you. Hockey sticks also have a flex to their shafts just like golf clubs do. You will need a flex that woks for your skill, style on overall body weight and strength.
In the end it all comes to personal choice. You need to try out a large variety of sticks to find the one that is best suited to your skills and your budget. As your skills and experience improve over time you "perfect" hockey stick will evolve as well. - 15255
About the Author:
Do you want to find the perfect Ice Hockey Stick for you? Spend a little time with Paul at Ice Hockey Stick Expert to learn all that you need to know to make at smart hockey stick choice.
