Hockey Stick Reviews

[FlamesFanFromBC]

I'm a low-mid level rec hockey player looking to pickup a composite stick. I've always liked Easton 85 flex, Sakic/Hall/E3 curve pattern. My current stick is an Easton Stealth 65s.

A buddy recently switched to Bauer Vapor I think 77 flex & equivalent curve in Bauer (P92 Ovechkin/Backstrom) and is pretty happy with it.

So many different models to choose from and really how can you tell by holding it at the store. Does anyone have some other suggestions in the $75 to $150 range that I should consider?

Or maybe a decent budget composite stick I should consider for backup.

[Gundo]

I'm a big fan of Warrior composite sticks, I find them to be "whippy" I'm a big guy but never use my slapshot and they are deadly for one timers and wrist shots. I've used 4-5 of their sticks right now I use a Dynasty model I got at Sportchek for $90.

[Northendzone]

You realize that this is a difficult to recommend, as a stick I really like, you may hate....

[Weitz]

I'd suggest going to store where you can shoot some pucks like Pro Hockey Life or something similar and get a feel.

I did that and just buy the same stick now when I need one.

[Coach]

Tough to recommend, everyones tastes are different. I would say look at getting last years models and get high-end sticks for 1/2 price.

Personally I'm partial to a "feel" vs a brand. I like the "powder" grip feel, a stiff stick and a relatively flat curve. I've found Easton and CCM meeting the requirements lately.

[CroFlames]

Sooooo subjective.

I'm a huge Easton fan, and when they discontinued the Stealth I was in no man's land (like Mike Green). Couldn't find a stick I liked. A lot of it is in your head I find.

I caved and bought a $300 Warrior, thinking there's no way a top of the line stick won't work. Wrong. Couldn't even shoot with it. My mind must have subconsciously just decided it's too different, and it was game over.

Found myself another Easton brand (Can't recall brand right now, but its mostly black) that serves me well. Bought two at once.

[calgaryblood]

I love the Warriors.

[nickerjones]

I have really been digging the secondary stick makers. The sticks are practically the same and it makes me feel good knowing Im supporting small business interested in making good hockey products. Shottec is local Calgary company that makes sticks. I have used them for the past few months and BASE hockey sticks for the past few years.

[awildermode]

Easton (at least the hockey division) was bought by Bauer early this year, or was it last year. So, no more Easton as they are being phased out.

As for 'cheap' sticks, have you considered using Intermediate sticks? If you are a smaller player, try that. Intermediate sticks usually come in same curves as Seniors and have flexes between 55-75, with a slightly smaller shaft profile...and way cheaper.

I switched to Intermediate sticks and am benefiting from the size and flex of them.

[Hockeyguy15]

I know with Bauer the different “names” are for different types of players because they have different kick points and such.

Supreme is for guys with big shots, Vapor is for quick/snap shots, Nexus is a bit of both.

[dubc80]

The Sherwood T90 or T100 are good value sticks. Always seemed super-light compared to others in their price range and they always seemed to be on sale.

You can always get cheap higher end sticks at Sport Chek if you watch for their sales.

Edit: In fact you can get the T120 which is their highest end stick I believe for $99 right now.

https://www.sportchek.ca/categories/...332305109.html

[manwiches]

Warrior Dolomites or Warrior HD2 are the ones I use. Love them both, haven’t found a comparable. When they go on sale, I bought every sport check I could find, out of them. I have 3 Dolomites and 4 HD2s in my garage. The way I play now (no more slap shots), that’s like 7 years worth of stocks.

Wish they still had that Lindros Titan I played with growing up. I would buy that in a second. Lol. Not sure if I’d like it as much as I think I might.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sl888]

@FlamesFanFromBC
What position do you play and what kind of shots do you usually play? How much do you weigh?

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I know with Bauer the different “names” are for different types of players because they have different kick points and such.
Supreme is for guys with big shots, Vapor is for quick/snap shots, Nexus is a bit of both.

Bauer has a stick fit guide on their website.
https://issuu.com/bauer-hockey/docs/..._guide_2015_en
Good explanation about flex profiles offered by Bauer plus a chart to compare offerings from other companies.

I was a big Warrior fan. I have spent over $2,000 on their sticks. I LOVE the feel but I hate the durability. Every single one has broken within 2 months. I gave up on their sticks a while back.

I currently play True. I highly recommend their sticks especially if you're a mid flex guy.

BTW you can never go wrong with Bauer. I still rotate a few of their sticks with my Trues.

[moncton golden flames]

I used to spend upwards of $300 on a stick, until I tried the Sherwood t7 from Costco for $40. It's the right flex, 85, and curve, stastny.

For that price, you have to at least try it. I will not buy any other stick and I consider myself a bit of a gear snob.

[Lubicon]

Not sure if it's just the stores I am looking in but it sure seems like there are not a lot of 100 flex sticks out there anymore. I'm a big guy and used to play with a 110 but cannot find those anymore. Even a 100 flex is getting difficult to find and usually the blade patters selection is very limited. No shortage or 87 flex or whatever but those could be too whippy for me.

I used to love the old Easton Synergy but cannot find those anymore. The CCM/RBZ is good too but again I'm having trouble finding them in the flex I like. Also I like a 'soft' feel to the stick when handling the puck and it seems like a lot of sticks are very 'hard'. My cement hands are bad enough without a stick that doesn't feel right.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Not sure if it's just the stores I am looking in but it sure seems like there are not a lot of 100 flex sticks out there anymore. I'm a big guy and used to play with a 110 but cannot find those anymore. Even a 100 flex is getting difficult to find and usually the blade patters selection is very limited. No shortage or 87 flex or whatever but those could be too whippy for me.

I used to love the old Easton Synergy but cannot find those anymore. The CCM/RBZ is good too but again I'm having trouble finding them in the flex I like. Also I like a 'soft' feel to the stick when handling the puck and it seems like a lot of sticks are very 'hard'. My cement hands are bad enough without a stick that doesn't feel right.

They are hard to find (100 flex). I like it as well but find myself to resigning to a 85.

It can be worth it to ask. A lot of the bigger stores have quite a bit of stock in the back

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by MattyC

They are hard to find (100 flex). I like it as well but find myself to resigning to a 85.

It can be worth it to ask. A lot of the bigger stores have quite a bit of stock in the back

Sort of along these lines and I should have mentioned this in my first post. B & P Cycle on 52 Street SE has a basement full of older model sticks, I've found many of my sticks there over the years. It's totally worth checking out especially if you are not too fussy.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

Originally Posted by sl888

@FlamesFanFromBC
What position do you play and what kind of shots do you usually play? How much do you weigh?


Bauer has a stick fit guide on their website.
https://issuu.com/bauer-hockey/docs/..._guide_2015_en
Good explanation about flex profiles offered by Bauer plus a chart to compare offerings from other companies.

I was a big Warrior fan. I have spent over $2,000 on their sticks. I LOVE the feel but I hate the durability. Every single one has broken within 2 months. I gave up on their sticks a while back.

I currently play True. I highly recommend their sticks especially if you're a mid flex guy.

BTW you can never go wrong with Bauer. I still rotate a few of their sticks with my Trues.

Neat guide by Bauer and explanations of sticks, curves, kick points, etc.

5' 11", 185, mostly a winger, most of my shots are snap shots from top of circle in (shoot for top corners far more often than I should), 2nd would be wrist shot, 3rd backhand and rarely take slapshots (usually a half slap)

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanFromBC

Neat guide by Bauer and explanations of sticks, curves, kick points, etc.

5' 11", 185, mostly a winger, most of my shots are snap shots from top of circle in (shoot for top corners far more often than I should), 2nd would be wrist shot, 3rd backhand and rarely take slapshots (usually a half slap)

I am slightly taller than you and slightly lighter (an inch and 5 pounds), but your description of play style matches me almost exactly. I use the Bauer Nexus 8000, I just bought another one on Wednesday. Its a great stick.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

I have really been digging the secondary stick makers. The sticks are practically the same and it makes me feel good knowing Im supporting small business interested in making good hockey products. Shottec is local Calgary company that makes sticks. I have used them for the past few months and BASE hockey sticks for the past few years.

Yep, I just use BASE as well. They are awesome, fully custom, not crazy expensive (~$165per) and Canadian (made in Mexico I believe). I find they are the most durable stick I've ever played with.