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 Stick		  
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Stick
 		 

You use your stick to handle the puck, pass to your teammates, and to shoot into the goal.

Choosing

There are three types of Hockey Sticks - Wood, Aluminium and Graphite. Most players have a preference, but could play with any. There are several pros and cons about which to choose. Wooden sticks are awesome, especially a heavier, "STIFF SHAFT" If you're strong, and enjoy moving people out of the way...then it is the perfect stick for you.

There is also a wooden stick called a 'FEATHER-LITE' which has incredible BOW to it and allows those weasely forwards to get off quick wrist shots, and cannonading slappers. Graphite sticks are becoming more popular, simply by the virtue of the fact that they are very hard to break, don't 'warp' like aluminium over time but are vastly more expensive!)

Make sure that you do not bring a Street Hockey stick to an Ice Hockey game or practice. Street Hockey sticks usually have a plastic blade, or a plastic insert at the bottom of the blade. This insert allows water to seep into the wood of the stick, which causes it to soften and break like a twig. --LA Blades

Sizing

The stick should be long enough to reach your chin when you're standing in your skates or your nose when you're in sticking feet. To find out whether you play left-handed or right-handed, get a broom and sweep the floor. Which hand is on top, and which is at the middle of the broom? The hand at the middle of the broom tells you which handed stick to get. Don't be surprised if you're right-handed and you play lefty: you want your strong hand at the top of the stick. (Most goalies are rigt-handed and play with a "lefty" stick. They hold it in their right hand.)

Younger kids 7 to 9 years of age should try to get a stick with a straight blade because at that age a lot of them don't know yet whether they shoot right or left.

Wrapping

You should use black tape to wrap your stick, from the toe to the heel. The tape helps the blade last longer. Use black tape so your teammate has a better target when he needs to pass you the puck. (It's easier to see your stick if it's wrapped with black tape than when it's white like the ice.)

Now you’re ready to play!
 
  Photographs and text Copyright © 1997, 1998, 2002 by Timberwoof. All Rights Reserved.
Some Photographs Copyright © 1997 by Raphael Vallin. All Rights reserved.