CATHARINE SOLOMON/THE VARSITY
The technology of sports equipment has improved significantly over the past decade or two. With older sports such as hockey, the changes between the first pieces of equipment used and what is currently being used and improved upon are drastic.
Let’s take a look at the hockey stick’s evolutionary journey: the oldest known sticks, dating back to the mid-1800s, were made out of hornbeam wood. In the 1920s, ash became the preferred material for hockey stick manufacturing, being very durable but also extremely heavy. These sticks were not curved, and the blade was inserted into a notch in the shaft and glued together.
In 1927, Cy Denneny, from the Ottawa Senators, was the first to “banana blade” or curve his blade, but this did not become popular until the 1960s.
In the 1950s, wood blades were wrapped in fiberglass, and the usage of fiberglass made sticks cheaper, lighter, and more durable.
Quebec’s Sher-Wood and Canadien companies started the revolution of becoming less dependent on wood sticks and more on fiberglass. When they began using lightweight aspen wood reinforced with fiberglass.
By the 1980s, aluminum sticks were being made. In 1981, they were made legal in the NHL.
The aluminum sticks were even more durable and lightweight than their wood and fiberglass counterparts, and blades were separate from the shaft, making replacements easy and reducing cost.
The 1990s brought another revolutionary change to the hockey stick, by introducing carbon fiber as the main material. These sticks allowed players to adjust their own blade, however, they were not very cost effective.
In 1995, the first composite blade was introduced, and today it is this very stick that dominates the game.
Composite sticks are crafted from a multitude of different materials making them light and flexible, but they are known to break easily, which is why NHL players go through many per season.
While there are still elements of the stick that can be improved, all of the recent developments indicate a light and durable stick being created in the very near future.
As a seasoned sports equipment enthusiast with a deep understanding of the evolution of hockey sticks, I can provide valuable insights into the technological advancements that have shaped the industry. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of historical developments, material science, and the practical implications of these changes on the game of hockey.
The evolution of hockey sticks, as outlined in the article, reflects a fascinating journey marked by continuous innovation and improvement. The transition from hornbeam wood in the mid-1800s to the contemporary composite materials showcases a commitment to enhancing performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
The shift from ash to fiberglass-wrapped wood in the 1950s, pioneered by companies like Quebec’s Sher-Wood and Canadien, was a pivotal moment. This development not only lightened the sticks but also made them more durable and affordable. The introduction of aluminum sticks in the 1980s, subsequently legalized in the NHL in 1981, represented another leap forward. Aluminum sticks were even more durable and lightweight, with a design that allowed for easy blade replacements, thereby reducing costs.
The adoption of carbon fiber as the primary material in the 1990s marked a significant milestone. While these sticks offered players the ability to adjust their blades, cost-effectiveness remained a challenge. The breakthrough came in 1995 with the introduction of the first composite blade. This innovation, made from a combination of different materials, resulted in a lightweight and flexible stick that dominates the game today. However, the article notes that these composite sticks are prone to breakage, leading NHL players to go through many per season.
In summary, the journey of the hockey stick's evolution encompasses a rich history of material experimentation and design innovations. From wood to fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber, and finally composite materials, each era has brought about improvements in terms of weight, durability, and performance. The anticipation for a future with even lighter and more durable sticks suggests that the trajectory of innovation in sports equipment is far from reaching its peak.
