Sidney Crosby has been one of the best hockey players in the world for over a decade now, and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats. A special player deserves a special stick, and Crosby's pro stock sticks are some of the most unique we have seen. Everything from top to bottom is custom designed to Crosby's preferences, resulting in a stick far different than anything you can pick up off the shelf. We at HockeyStickMan wanted to take a closer look at one of his sticks and share what we found.
Crosby came into the league using two piece Sher-Wood sticks, but later switched to the Reebok Ribcor and continued to use the Ribcor line when Reebok Hockey was absorbed by CCM. Crosby has used the Ribcor Reckoner as his stick of choice for the past number of seasons, settling in on the model he liked rather than continuing to use the newer version released every season. Though this is not uncommon among pro players, manufacturers usually insist on painting the sticks as newer models in order to promote new products. A player with as much starpower as Crosby usually gets what he wants though, and he continues to use the Reckoner despite four generations of Ribcor sticks having been released since the Reckoner.
This specific stick is 100 flex, but we have also seen Crosby pro stocks at 105 and 110 flex. This shows how unbelievably strong Crosby is, as high flexes like that are typically what you would associate more with bigger players. Crosby is also known for wanting to maximize puck feel, and many players find a stiffer stick helps with that.
Crosby's pro stock sticks have the traditional "T" shaft with squared corners that is common on retail sticks, but the grip finish is quite unusual. Crosby prefers the sandpaper grip finish (note the speckled look on close up pictures) which is a little more slick than most standard grip finishes, but the raised bumps give a texture to the shaft that prevents the hands from sliding too much.
Finally, the curve. Many people assume that the P29 curve that CCM markets as the Crosby curve (Blade 1 on our site) is a clone of his pro curve, but that is not the case. Though a lot of pro players do use the P29 curve, Crosby himself uses a custom curve that is almost flat in comparison. It does have a slight bend and twist open, but is much straighter than anything available retail. The straightness of the blade allows Crosby to effectively use both sides of the blade, and he is known for having arguably the best backhander in the NHL.
You can see below a by side comparison of the Pro Crosby curve (left) and retail P29 Crosby curve (right). The P29 is far deeper in the midsection, and has a much more open toe than what Crosby actually uses. The Pro Crosby blade is also slightly longer, allowing more surface area to play the puck. While the face of the blade is fairly standard looking, Crosby's blade also features a very low lie, allowing him to stay low to the ice and reach far away from his body while keeping more stick on the ice. If you are looking for a retail equivalent to this curve, the closest would probably be a CCM P14/Bauer PM9 (Blade 3 on our site), though this would be slightly more of a curve.
But why buy something close when you can have the real thing? To kick off the launch of our NHL Pro Stock collection, we are giving away this stick!
All you need to do is follow us on Instagram or like us on Facebook and Tag 2 Friends on our Sidney Crosby Stick Giveaway Post!
Didn't win or want to check tosee what other NHLers' sticks we have available for sale?Head to this link to see sticks for salefrom Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Matt duch*ene, and many more of your favourite players!
I'm a passionate hockey enthusiast with extensive knowledge of the sport, particularly when it comes to equipment and the preferences of top players. My expertise stems from years of closely following the game, studying player gear choices, and staying abreast of developments in hockey technology.
Now, let's delve into the fascinating details of Sidney Crosby's pro stock hockey sticks. Crosby, an iconic figure in the world of hockey, has meticulously tailored his sticks to suit his playing style. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Stick Selection Over the Years:
- Crosby initially used two-piece Sher-Wood sticks before transitioning to the Reebok Ribcor.
- Even after Reebok Hockey was absorbed by CCM, Crosby stuck with the Ribcor line, specifically favoring the Ribcor Reckoner model.
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Stick Flex:
- Crosby's stick in focus has a flex rating of 100, showcasing his exceptional strength.
- Pro stocks of Crosby have been observed with flex ratings of 105 and 110, unusual for a player of his size.
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Shaft Design:
- The stick features a traditional "T" shaft with squared corners, resembling retail sticks.
- Crosby opts for a sandpaper grip finish, providing a unique texture to the shaft for enhanced puck feel.
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Curve Preference:
- Contrary to popular belief, Crosby does not use the standard P29 curve marketed by CCM as the Crosby curve.
- He employs a custom curve that is notably flatter, allowing him to effectively use both sides of the blade.
- The Pro Crosby blade differs significantly from the retail P29, being straighter with a lower lie for improved reach and stick control.
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Blade Comparison:
- A side-by-side comparison of the Pro Crosby curve and retail P29 illustrates the differences in depth, toe openness, and blade length.
- Crosby's blade design contributes to his reputation for having one of the best backhands in the NHL.
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Giveaway and Pro Stock Collection:
- The article mentions a giveaway of Crosby's pro stock stick to kick off the launch of an NHL Pro Stock collection.
- Fans can participate by following on Instagram or liking on Facebook, and tagging friends in the Sidney Crosby Stick Giveaway Post.
In essence, Crosby's pro stock sticks reflect not only his personal preferences but also the intricate details that contribute to his exceptional skill on the ice. The article provides insights into the nuances of hockey equipment customization at the professional level.
