Hockey Stick Blade Curve & Pattern Chart: Which Lie is Right for You? (2024)

FAQs

What hockey blade curve should I get? ›

A moderate curve depth (1/2”) is the most popular and will help improve puck control, improve the ability to lift the puck easier (compared to slight), all while still having a good backhand. A deep curve depth will provide the most control thanks to the blade being able to really cup the puck.

If it's flat on the floor, you're good. If the toe is off the floor, you need a lower lie (a lower number). If the heel is in the air, you need a more upright lie (a higher number). If you already have a stick and are wondering if you're using the right lie, go to the tape.

Mid Curves:

Mid curves are the most popular out of the curves. They are best for stick handlers, passers and snipers. Mid curves are best for beginners because it helps keep control while stick handling, and accuracy with all types of shots. An example of a mid curve is the Bauer P88.

The P92 is great for puck control, toe drags, saucer passes, and for firing both high and low shots.

If you really like to stick handle a lot or you are a beginner you should try a mid curve or a mid-toe curve. (Like the P88) they give you the most comfort stick handling as well as shooting forehand and back hand. You will also have the most accuracy. If you like to snipe corners you want a mid-toe to toe curve.

So, the CCM P29 (Crosby) is essentially the same as the Bauer P92 -- they're crazy similar and, all told, it's a good curve for kids. The other option, the P28 (McDavid) is another banana curve -- hardly different from the similarly named P29 -- but the toe is different.

Mid-curves are the most common. They're better for stick-handling than heel curves while retaining a decent sweet spot on both the forehand and backhand. Toe curves twist down as they bend, making them great for danglers who favor quick wrist shots.

Defensem*n prefer a mid-curve or heel curve which provides greater control for handling the puck and improves accuracy for heavy shooting (slap shots and clear outs) Players who pass more than shoot often prefer a heel curve which enhances their ability to stick handle and make saucer passes (passing through the air)

Bauer P92. Equivalents: CCM P29 “Crosby” (formerly “Nugent-Hopkins” or Reebok P87A “Crosby”), Easton E3 “Hall”, Sherwood PP26“Stastny”, Warrior W03 “Backstrom”, (formerly “Draper/Kopitar/Henrique”), True “TC2” and All Black “AB92”. Pros: This is also known as the “Sakic” curve.

Did Gretzky use a curved stick? ›

Other superstar forwards like Patrick Kane, Pavel Datsyuk and Wayne Gretzky have also used mild curves throughout their careers... none of which had any trouble scoring.

HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT HOCKEY STICKS WITH A HIGHER BLADE APPEAR NEWLY - THE MARK IS FOR EXAMPLE P92M (MAX BLADE HEIGHT) - WE MARK THE HOCKEY STICKS AS A MAX BLADE!

Toe Curves

Blades that are more curved near the toe area of the blade are referred to as toe curves. This is the type of curve predominantly used by forwards — as they allow the player to shoot the puck from confined spaces and to lift the puck easier.

Is a Line of Best Fit Always Straight? By definition a line is always straight, so a best fit line is linear. However, a curve may also be used to describe the best fit in a set of data.

They are all the same.

TLDR; Entry level players will likely play better with a P92 curve, but could grow in skill-set by using the P28 for one stick-life. Advanced players can choose either based on preference on the ice. P92: Easy to aim high, and low shots are very easily managed by rolling the wrists to close the blade.

Sidney Crosby uses a 100 flex stick, higher than you may imagine for a skilled player. In his case this may have some advantages as a stiffer stick can be better in face-offs, and flex really doesn't factor heavily into backhand shooting.

Description: A massive open spoon curve, a mix of heel and toe, beginning from the heel and opening up more and more throughout the blade. It is the ultimate one-timer and wrist shot curve. This curve is great for heavy shooters, and players who need a curve that they can rely on to get the puck upstairs quickly.

The curvature of the blade of the stick shall be restricted in such a way that the distance of a perpendicular line measured from a straight line drawn from any point at the heel to the end of the blade to the point of maximum curvature shall not exceed three-quarter of an inch (¾”). NHL Rulebook 2007.

What skate radius do NHL players use? ›

Most skates are sharpened by cutting an arc in between the two edges, known as the radius of hollow (ROH). This is measured in inches. Hockey player and goalie skates are often sharpened with a ROH from 3/8” up to 1-1/2”.

It's a 3-millimeter-wide piece of steel hollowed out down the middle in an inverted U to create two edges. An NHL player uses both edges on both skates, like a skier shifting weight from side to side during turns. Most recreational players just want their skates sharpened. OK, fine.

The CCM Curve that's closest to Bauer's popular P88 curve would be the CCM Ovechkin P88 curve.

Defenseman usually prefer the stiffest sticks. Many defenseman take slap shots and do a lot of hacking with their sticks, on other players as well as the boards when forechecking.

I don't like my hockey sticks touching other sticks, and I don't like them crossing one another, and I kind of have them hidden in the corner. I put baby powder on the ends. I think it's essentially a matter of taking care of what takes care of you.

Sidney Crosby uses a unique two-piece hockey stick with a blade that's nearly straight. There's no wicked curve on the blade – it bends only slightly near the toe.

Retired goalie Henrik Lundqvist was the last to use a wood Bauer stick, switching to composite in 2018-19, almost 12 years after the company started leading the NHL trend toward composite goalie sticks.

Bauer Fit 1

The new Fit 1 is similar to the former Vapor D width that has been extremely popular over the years. Normal Vapor users will feel at home in the new Fit 1 which features a shallow heel pocket, low instep, and low volume to allow for the tightest fit around the ankle wrap as well as narrowest of the 3 fits.

The Vapor line is comprised of low-kick point sticks, built for players who take quick-motion shots, mostly shoot close to the net, and prefer release speed over power. One of the new features is the weight of the stick.

Generally speaking, Supreme is built for maximum power and control compared to Vapor which is built for ultimate quickness and agility. For players who are using Bauer's current sizing system, make sure you use the chart below to find out which fit best suits your foot.

What NHL players use the P28 curve? ›

Over the past few years you've no doubt taken notice of NHL players using what appears to be a massive hook! Most noticeably stars like Ovechkin, Doughty or Getzlaf are using what has become known as the Open Toe (P28 in most brands) pattern.

Slow down before you enter the curve. Braking on a curve may cause you to skid. Reduce speed before entering the curve, and slowly lighten the pressure on the brake until reaching the apex point (where the car is closest to the inside of the curve line).

Reduce your speed before approaching a curve. Watch out for road signs warning of approaching curves so that you have ample time to slow down before steering through the curve. It is advisable to drive below the posted speed limit as you approach and drive through curves.

The cycloid is the quickest curve and also has the property of isochronism by which Huygens improved on Galileo's pendulum.

Most skates are sharpened by cutting an arc in between the two edges, known as the radius of hollow (ROH). This is measured in inches. Hockey player and goalie skates are often sharpened with a ROH from 3/8” up to 1-1/2”.

Defensem*n prefer a mid-curve or heel curve which provides greater control for handling the puck and improves accuracy for heavy shooting (slap shots and clear outs) Players who pass more than shoot often prefer a heel curve which enhances their ability to stick handle and make saucer passes (passing through the air)

TLDR; Entry level players will likely play better with a P92 curve, but could grow in skill-set by using the P28 for one stick-life. Advanced players can choose either based on preference on the ice. P92: Easy to aim high, and low shots are very easily managed by rolling the wrists to close the blade.

Mid-curves are the most common. They're better for stick-handling than heel curves while retaining a decent sweet spot on both the forehand and backhand. Toe curves twist down as they bend, making them great for danglers who favor quick wrist shots.

Defensem*n will tend toward the stiff side, all the better for poke checks, slap shots and general mucking it up. Your strength has something to do with it, too. Two-hundred-pound bruisers who don't top 6 feet tall are probably going to use a stiffer stick than a lean, 6-foot-3, 200-pounder.

What kind of curve is P88? ›

P88 - Very simple blade with a mid-curve (curve of the blade occurs in the middle of the blade), and no opening (does not curve up). Great for stick handling and keeping the puck from flopping. Excellent for backhand shots. More difficult to lift puck over goalies in tight when close to the crease.