The Most Used College Hockey Sticks (2024)

FAQs

Do college hockey players pay for their sticks? ›

All athletes are given sticks, pants, gloves, helmets, jerseys and socks. Each athlete is given a housing stipend. More than 200 tier 2 athletes make NCAA commitments per season.

Wood is also less consistent—every piece of wood is different, whereas several composite hockey sticks can be built with uniform qualities. But there are still devotees of wood hockey sticks. Some hockey players like the feel of the puck on a wood hockey stick.

Blackhawks equipment manager Troy Parchman said in 2015 that his team typically breaks at least two to three sticks per game. Regardless, some players, such as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, use a new stick each game.

Victor Hedman, a notable NHL player, reportedly gets new skates every 10 games and goes through around 100 sticks in a season. Another user, Santos L Halper, mentioned that Patrick Kane uses a brand new stick every game, which amounts to at least 82 sticks per season, not including playoffs and breakages.

CCM skates are often praised for their comfortable fit straight out of the box. CCM skates generally have a more voluminous fit, which can be beneficial for players with wider feet. On the other hand, Bauer skates are well-regarded for their performance and precision.

There are several NHL players who use STX gear, including Jiří Hudler, Matt Moulson, Vincent Trocheck, Ivan Barbashev, and Brandon Pirri.

Despite liking to tinker with his specs, Matthews usually ends up using the tried and true P29 curve with a whippy 80 flex, as is the case on this CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro. On this stick he utilizes a textured grip, and his preferred "PAPI 34" namebar. What makes this stick extra special is the custom graphics.

The CCM RibCor Reckoner is a lightweight stick that weighs in at 415 grams, one of the lightest sticks available with a construction using PopMatrix Technology that are performance fibers that are constantly in tension for a quick and efficient loading while being protected by outer layers.

Q&A: Adrian Aucoin, the last NHL player (probably) to use wooden sticks - The Athletic.

Are expensive hockey sticks worth it? ›

In conclusion, the price of a hockey stick is determined by the material used to make it and the brand. While more expensive sticks may have some advantages, they are not necessary for a player to perform well on the ice.

Over time, however, these materials can experience fatigue from repeated stress and impact; in fact, right from the initial shot, hockey sticks start to deteriorate internally. Repeated use can eventually lead to fractures or breaks— even in the best sticks.

Also, NCAA players get their sticks and gear for free, which is certainly a nice perk of playing for a top-end collegiate hockey program.

And unlike what would appear to be the case, NHL players do not pay for sticks. They are the responsibility of their teams. In case a specific player has an individual sponsorship deal with some brand, the team still must pick up its sticks from that brand.

NHL teams pay for every stick, glove and skate used on the ice, but that's only a fraction of the company's sales. They're far more concerned with the retail gains that can be made from outfitting the world's best.

Gear is covered by the team, but in many cases, gear companies sponsor a lot players. Elite players, goalies, and generally any decent player that is popular will often be sponsored for gear, especially helmets, skates, sticks, pants, and goalie pads.