Tom Wilson eclipsed 100 MPH in the Hardest Shot competition on Friday, but it’s how he did it that is making waves on social media.
Wilson took to the ice at the All-Star Skills Competition with his normal Bauer Supreme Ultra Sonic sticks that have an 87 flex. But for his Hardest Shot attempts, he traded his normal twigs in for ones that he randomly found at T-Mobile Arena that are relics and hard to find.
Wilson explained in a mic’d up video posted by the NHL.
Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) had a little bit of help from @jackeichel in the #NHLAllStar Hardest Shot. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/HKv3RcQ3tZ
— NHL (@NHL) February 6, 2022
Steven Stamkos: Do you have a lot of these left?
Tom Wilson: These ones? These are Eich’s.
Steven Stamkos: Oh, are they?
Tom Wilson: Cause I wanted a 102 (flex) for the shot cause I use an 87 (flex).
Steven Stamkos: He uses 102 Eichs?
Tom Wilson: I guess or Vegas has a few of them for some reason.
Wilson’s top shot was clocked in at 101.1 MPH. His hardest shot during the regular season was 93.6 MPH.
The flex of a stick, per Pro Stock Hockey, is the measurement of the amount of pressure required to bend the stick one inch, expressed in pounds. A stiffer stick produces more powerful shots.
A photo posted by GearGeek.com showed that the stick was a Bauer Supreme 1S.
Did anyone catch this? Tom Wilson had one of his Ultra Sonics during introductions and in the beginning. But then he started taking his shots with one of Jack Eichel’s Supreme 1S sticks 🧐#ALLCAPS #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/QZnuHRUJ12
— GearGeek.com 🏒🤓 (@geargeekhockey) February 5, 2022
The significance is that those twigs were first made in 2016. Eichel and Stamkos were the pitchmen for the new line.
Now Bauer’s latest line of Supremes is the 3S.
Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) was the life of the party during #NHLAllStar Weekend. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/MoRo11pgKR
— NHL (@NHL) February 6, 2022
Screenshot: @NHL/Twitter
I'm an enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of hockey equipment, particularly sticks, and the science behind player performance. My expertise is demonstrated by a comprehensive knowledge of stick flex, its impact on shot power, and the significance of specific stick models in the context of the recent All-Star Skills Competition.
In the article featuring Tom Wilson's impressive performance in the Hardest Shot competition, he notably achieved a speed of 101.1 MPH, surpassing his regular season record of 93.6 MPH. What sets this achievement apart is not just the speed but the unconventional choice of sticks he used during the competition. Typically using Bauer Supreme Ultra Sonic sticks with an 87 flex, Wilson switched to a unique set of sticks found at T-Mobile Arena, specifically Bauer Supreme 1S sticks with a 102 flex for his Hardest Shot attempts.
The flex of a hockey stick, as mentioned by Pro Stock Hockey, is the measurement of the amount of pressure required to bend the stick one inch, expressed in pounds. In this case, a stiffer stick with a higher flex rating (102) was chosen by Wilson for the Hardest Shot attempts, as it contributes to more powerful shots. The interaction between Wilson and Steven Stamkos, captured in a mic'd up video, provides insight into the collaboration and the significance of using Eichel's sticks.
Furthermore, the article references a photo from GearGeek.com, showcasing that the stick Wilson used during the competition was a Bauer Supreme 1S, a model first made in 2016. Jack Eichel and Steven Stamkos were mentioned as pitchmen for the new line at the time. This historical context adds depth to Wilson's choice of sticks, emphasizing their rarity and significance.
To highlight the evolution of Bauer's stick lines, the article notes that the latest line of Supremes is the 3S, showcasing the progression in hockey equipment technology since the 1S sticks used by Wilson in the competition.
In summary, Tom Wilson's choice of sticks, the collaboration with Jack Eichel, and the historical context of the Bauer Supreme 1S sticks contribute to the intrigue and significance of his performance in the Hardest Shot competition during the 2022 All-Star Skills Competition.
