How to Buy a Hockey Stick (2024)

Your hockey stick is arguably your most important tool on the ice: it allows you to control the puck, make shots and passes, and block or intercept pucks from your opponent. To find your ideal hockey stick, you’ll want to consider several factors including your own body size along with the stick length, flex rating, kick point, blade pattern, materials, and price.

This guide on how to buy a hockey stick explains the different parts of a stick and some of the optional features you’ll find at various price points. For parents, we offer a special section on how to buy a hockey stick for your child. We also give you tips on how to tape a hockey stick and how to know when you need a replacement.

• What are hockey sticks made of?
• What are the parts of a hockey stick?
• How do I choose a hockey stick?
• How much do hockey sticks cost?
• Which hockey sticks are best for my style of play?
• How to buy kids’ hockey sticks
• How long do hockey sticks last?
• Street hockey sticks vs. ice hockey sticks

What are hockey sticks made of?

Modern hockey sticks are made from composite materials or wood.

Composite hockey sticks are built from various lightweight, high-tech materials designed to improve the stick’s flexibility and kick point, resulting in a more effective transfer of energy during shots and passes. Composite sticks are far more common than wood.

Wood hockey sticks tend to be heavier than composites and don’t offer the same high-tech bells and whistles, but they still have their appeal: some players prefer the puck feel of a wood stick, and these sticks come at wallet-friendly prices (you can fetch a new twig for under $20.) There’s also the nostalgia and style factor of playing with a wood hockey stick given their lengthy history in the game.

Deciding between wood or composite hockey sticks is a matter of personal preference, which we’ll explore in more detail below. Major brands such as Bauer and CCM offer several options in both composite and wood to suit any number of player preferences. But regardless of the brand or the performance features, all hockey sticks have the same basic design.

What are the parts of a hockey stick?

A hockey stick may look simple, but there are several parts to it, and there are some subtle differences to consider when shopping for a new stick.

• The long, straight part of the stick is the shaft. Most players hold the top or butt end of the shaft with their dominant hand and place their other hand on the shaft itself (there are exceptions.)
• The kick point of a hockey stick is the area of the shaft that flexes the most during shots and passes. Higher kick points allow for increased energy loads, creating more powerful shots and passes, while lower kick points allow for a quicker puck release. Some composite sticks have a tapered shaft designed to lower the kick point.
• A grip shaft includes a sticky coating or textured finish to improve grip. A clear shaft is a gloss or matte (non-grip) finish to help players move their hands up and down the shaft easier.
• The hosel is the area where the hockey stick shaft meets the blade.
• The blade is the thin part of the stick at the bottom, angled from the shaft, that controls the puck. The blade face is the forward-facing side of the blade; the blade toe is the end of the blade farthest from the heel; and the blade heel is the rear part, where it meets the hosel.

It’s also worth noting that hockey sticks come in one-piece or two-piece designs. One-piece hockey sticks have the shaft and blade fused together, while two-piece hockey sticks have the shaft and blade as separate components. Most players tend to use one-piece designs, but some players prefer the ability to swap out or replace the individual components in a two-piece stick.

How do I choose a hockey stick?

When buying a new hockey stick, base your selection on performance and affordability. The stick that provides the feel and the performance features you want—and fits your budget—is the best hockey stick for you.

Our related guide on How to Size a Hockey Stick has more detailed information about stick length, flex, kick point, blade patterns, and blade lie, but here are a few important factors to consider when shopping for a new stick:

Hockey Stick Materials

Wood or composite, you get to decide. There are pros and cons to both, as we mentioned: wood hockey sticks are heavier and less flexible than composites, but they’re durable, affordable, and offer a puck feel that some players prefer. Composite sticks are generally more expensive, but they’re lightweight and flexible, with high-tech materials and features designed to optimize the power and quickness of the puck release.

Hockey Stick Shaft Geometry & Grip

Hockey stick shafts come with various grips and contours to suit different player preferences. Shafts come with square edges, rounded corners, and straight or concave side walls—you’ll want to try holding a few different options to find a stick shaft geometry that’s comfortable for you.

There are also different types of hockey stick grips available. In general, grip shafts employ either a sticky or tacky coating, or a textured surface to improve grip. Grip shafts are more common, but some players may prefer the freedom of movement found in a clear (non-grip) shaft, or the middle ground of a matte shaft. The drawback to non-grip shafts: the extra movement of the hands can sometimes result in less powerful shots and passes.

Hockey Stick Length

Our guide on How to Fit a Hockey Stick has more detail, but the rule of thumb for determining how long your hockey stick should be is to stand with your skates on and hold your stick in front of you: the stick should be an inch or two above or below your chin. The exact length will be a matter of personal preference, but keep in mind that shorter shafts tend to improve puck control, while longer shafts tend to increase shot power.

For some general guidelines on what size hockey stick to get, Youth and Junior hockey sticks tend to range from 38” to 54”, Intermediate sticks from 55” to 58”, and Senior sticks from 57” to 63” in length.

It’s also possible to cut the shaft to decrease the length, or to add end plugs to increase the length of a hockey stick, so don’t worry if your preferred stick isn’t an immediate fit.

Hockey Stick Flex & Kick Point

If you choose a composite hockey stick, you’ll also have to choose the flex number and kick point. In short, a composite stick bends to create power for shots and passes. The flex is how much force it takes to bend the stick an inch; the kick point is where the shaft bends most—low, mid, or high on the shaft.

To determine what flex your hockey stick should be, the general rule is to choose the flex number that’s half your weight. So, if you’re 150 pounds, you’ll start with a 75 flex. Round down the flex number if you’re between sizes. The higher the flex number, the stiffer the stick, so an 85 flex is stiffer than a 75 flex and so on. Our related Hockey Stick Flex Guide explains how to determine which flex may be right for you based on your position, body size, strength, and stick length.

The kick point is where the shaft bends the most during passing and shooting, so it’s important to choose the right kick point for your hockey stick. A low kick point at the bottom of the stick works well for players who take quick-motion shots and prefer release speed over power. A high kick point at the top of the shaft uses the whole stick to load and release energy, which makes high kick sticks a good choice for players who take plenty of slap shots and other powerful shots further away from the net. Mid-kick sticks offer a balance of both power and quickness, with the ability to generate enough energy to take shots from anywhere on the ice.

Hockey Stick Curve & Blade Pattern

The blade controls the puck, so subtle variations in shape, angle, and size can greatly affect shooting and handling performance. The most common blade curves today are the toe curve, mid-heel curve, and the mid curve. Each category comes with a variety of patterns from major manufacturers like Bauer and CCM. Your style of play may determine which blade curve is right for you, but often it comes down to personal preference. For more detailed information by manufacturer, view our Hockey Stick Curves & Patterns charts.

Hockey Stick Blade Angle

The angle of the blade face (front of the blade) helps your game because it responds to your playing style. Blade face angles are referred to as “open” or “closed.” An open blade means you can see more of the front of the blade when looking down your stick. An open face blade lifts the puck easier and gets a shot off the ice quickly. A closed blade or a slightly open blade face angle is better for stick handling, catching passes, and using your backhand. Many coaches feel that developing players should use a less open pattern to help develop their shooting and stickhandling abilities.

Hockey Stick Blade Lie

The blade lie describes the angle at which the hockey stick blade attaches to the shaft. The bottom of the blade should be in contact with the ice as much as possible, so a player's height and stance will determine the best lie, but personal preference is also a factor. When fitting a new hockey stick, players tend to choose based on the blade pattern—including the blade lie—they prefer. Normally, blade lies range from 4.0 to 6.0 in one-half increments. Most sticks have a 4.5, 5.0, or 5.5 lie. The more upright the stick, the higher the lie number.

In general, a hockey stick with a lower lie may be better suited for defensem*n, taller players, or players who tend to keep the puck farther from the body. Greater stick lies are usually suited for forwards and players who keep the puck closer to the body.

As you can see, the different aspects of the blade can affect a hockey stick’s performance, and you need to get the right blade for your style of play. For more in depth information on choosing the best hockey stick blade, check out our Hockey Stick Blade Guide.

Also, shopping online for a hockey stick can seem daunting, so we created our Stick Finder Tool for customized recommendations about the best ice hockey stick for you.

How much do hockey sticks cost?

Composite hockey sticks start around $45 for an entry-level Youth stick and advance in features and technology to about $330 for an elite-level stick. Wood hockey sticks range from $16-$45 from entry-level to Senior players.

Which hockey sticks are best for my style of play?

The main differences between entry-level and elite-level hockey sticks are in construction materials and design technologies. Entry-level composite sticks use more fiberglass and other cost-saving materials, while elite-level sticks use high-tech carbon fiber and include advanced features like special shaft and taper designs for superior performance.

If you’re new to the sport and play infrequently—a few times a month or less—you may be happy with an entry-level composite stick that features solid performance and feel. The other option is a wood stick, which performs well at a remarkably inexpensive price. So if budget is an issue, or if you want the additional weight for training purposes or puck feel, a wood hockey stick might be for you.

If you're a new adult player who expects to play once a week or more, it makes sense to shop for a performance-level composite stick with some advanced performance features and added durability.

Moderately experienced players should take a look at both performance-level and elite-level sticks. Consider the performance features that would benefit you most, and see what models fall within your budget.

Advanced or pro-level players already know they need the best hockey stick they can get their hands on. At this level, what matters most is finding the stick with the specs and design that suit your position and style of play.

How to buy kids’ hockey sticks

Hockey parents will want to know how to buy the right size hockey stick for their kid and how much it’s going to cost. Our guide on How to Size a Hockey Stick will help you find the correct size and fit for your child, and our guide on Kids’ Hockey Gear has some additional information as well.

In general, you’ll need to get the proper length, flex, and blade curve pattern for your child’s size and position. For length, the stick should reach just under your child’s chin while they are in their skates. To pick the starting point for the flex of your child’s stick, use the same rule for adults: the flex number will be around half your child’s body weight. So, if your kid weighs 60 pounds, start with a 30 flex. Youth hockey sticks tend to start with a moderate/mid blade curve pattern, although heel curves are popular for defense and toe curves are popular for shooters.

Youth wood hockey sticks usually cost from $15 to $35, while Youth composite sticks range from $50 to $180. However, you can often find good hockey sticks for young players on sale or clearance.

How long do hockey sticks last?

How long a hockey stick lasts typically depends on the quality of the stick, your position, and how often you play. In general, the more frequently you’re on the ice and the lower the quality of the stick, the more often you’ll replace it. If your gameplay involves plenty of slap shots, blocks, and battling in front of the crease, that constant stress will probably mean you’ll need a new stick sooner rather than later. There’s also the chance that a sudden impact can break your stick, especially after the materials have started to weaken or degrade.

You can help preserve the life of your stick by taping the butt end, blade, and/or shaft. We talk about How To Tape a Hockey Stick to prepare it for the ice and offer accessories like hockey tape and stick wax to keep your twig in game shape.

Replace your stick when it shows significant wear or breaks. Also, if you change positions, consider buying a new stick with features better suited to your new role.

Street hockey sticks vs. ice hockey sticks

Street hockey sticks aren’t quite the same as ice hockey sticks, and you’ll look for different features in a street hockey stick. Choosing the best street hockey stick—which you’ll subject again and again to unforgiving outdoor surfaces—largely boils down to budget and getting the most bang for your buck.

Asphalt and concrete surfaces will chew up a street hockey stick blade, so dropping a bunch of money on a high-end twig just doesn’t make much sense. The best street hockey bladesare ultra-tough ABS plastic material; you can find street hockey sticks in the $15 to $25 range with ABS plastic blades and wood or composite shafts.

Some street hockey players take an old wood or composite ice hockey stick with a bad blade and simply add an ABS blade for street play. That’s a great option if you have an old ice hockey stick and don’t want to invest in a separate stick for outdoor play.

Players who really want to use their ice hockey stick for street hockey without damaging the blade should look into street hockey stick protectors. Products such as the Hockey Wrap Around allow you to fit your ice hockey blade with a plastic guard that protects it from the street surface. There are tradeoffs in weight and feel, but these products do offer the convenience of using your ice hockey stick on the street.

While many old ice hockey sticks can be used for street hockey, the reverse is not true. An ABS blade on a street hockey stick would not work for ice hockey because of the weight of the puck and the speed at which it moves on the ice. So, if you’re just stepping on the ice one time for fun and don’t want to buy a new stick, sure, use your street hockey stick. But for more frequent play on the ice, you’ll want an ice hockey stick that’s made for the job. There really is no comparison between street hockey and ice hockey sticks when it comes to performance, durability, and the quality of materials.

Are you in the market for a new hockey stick? Shop our full selection of hockey sticks online, or if you’re still unsure which one might be right for you, visit a Pure Hockey store near you for a full assessment from our staff.

If you’re shopping for other gear, too, be sure to check out our other hockey equipment buying & fitting guides so you can purchase with confidence.