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Elite Gear Assistance
Elite Gear Assistance
Stick Buying Guide
Find Your Perfect Hockey Stick
Choosing the right stick for your style of play is crucial to performance and confidence. This guide covers stick anatomy and how each choice changes feel, release, and control—plus popular blade patterns and our recommended families.
Start with a few questions
These answers help point you to the right family, flex, and curve.
How often do you play?
Skating frequency affects durability and weight targets. 1–2x/week often favors value + durability; 3–5x/week skews to lighter elite builds.
What’s your current stick?
Note weight, balance, release feel, and comfort. What feels great—and what doesn’t—guides your next choice.
What do you like / dislike?
Prefer quick snapshots? Look at low-kick. Want heavy one-timers? Consider mid-kick with a stable blade.
What do you want to accomplish?
More shot pop, faster release, better puck feel, or improved control? We’ll map each to features below.
Anatomy of a Stick
Every stick blends shaft geometry, layup, kick point and blade tech. Picking the right combo improves feel and results.
Shaft
Geometry & Layup
Shape changes grip and rotation; layup changes weight, balance, and how the shaft loads energy.
Kick Point
Release Location
Low kick flexes near the blade for quicker shots. Mid kick loads through the middle for heavier releases.
Blade
Core & Curve
Blade stiffness & curve pattern drive puck feel, lift, and accuracy for your shooting style.
Length & Balance: control, leverage, and shot mechanics
Stick length changes skating posture and how you load shots. Balance (how weight is distributed) affects quickness and feel more than raw grams.
Shorter (below chin on skates)
Quicker hands, lower swing-weight, and strong puck feel. Great for tight spaces and low-kick shooters who rely on quick snapshots.
Neutral (around chin–nose)
Most balanced for mixed play—good reach without giving up too much handling. Easy transition if you’re unsure.
Longer (nose/eyes on skates)
More leverage and poke-check reach; helps one-timers and mid-kick loads. Can reduce hands quickness if too long.
- Cutting the shaft increases effective flex (~5 flex for every ~2 inches removed).
- Balance matters: a blade-heavy stick can feel “heavier” than a slightly heavier but well-balanced stick.
Flex: finding the sweet spot
Flex is how easily the shaft bends. It’s labeled by a number on the stick. A higher number = stiffer; a lower number = whippier. A simple starting point: pick a flex a little under half your body weight.
| Player weight (lb) | Starting flex | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100–120 | 40–50 | Lighter players & youth; easy load for snapshots |
| 120–150 | 50–65 | Balanced for quick release and control |
| 150–180 | 65–75 | Most common senior starting range |
| 180–210 | 75–85 | Stiffer for heavier shots & one-timers |
| 210+ | 85–100 | Firmest feel; big shooters |
Flex Finder
Use your weight and shooting style to get a quick recommendation — then jump right into the matching sticks.
180 lb
Quick release
Power shooter
Suggested flex: 75 • Kick point: Low
Kick Point: where the stick loads
Low Kick
Flexes closer to the blade for quick, deceptive releases. Ideal for snap/wrist shots in tight, catch-and-release plays.
Mid Kick
Loads through the middle for heavier shots and one-timers. Great if you lean into shots or take clappers.
Shaft Shape: how it feels in your hands
5-Sided
Matches the contour of your hand for confident control and edge awareness on the puck.
Rounded
Easy rotation and twist—great for stickhandling and quick toe drags.
Hybrid
Square walls with rounded corners—balanced grip + mobility for all-around play.
Blade Curves: aim, lift, and feel
Curve choice changes how you cradle, pass, and shoot. Here are the most popular patterns and what they suit.
P92
Do-it-all mid curve
Balanced cradle, easy lift, reliable accuracy. The safest all-around pick for most players.
P88
Control-focused mid curve
Classic feel for handling and snapshots. Flat lie can help on quick releases and passing.
P28
Toe curve for dekes
Pull the puck in and fire. Built for toe drags and fast releases from the toe pocket.
Stick Families
Jump into the lineup that fits your game. Each family below links to all sizes and specs.
Low-Kick vs Mid-Kick: Which is right for you?
We break down how each kick point loads, who benefits, and what to look for when you test on-ice.
Popular Picks
A few staff favorites to get you started. Tap into each product or collection for full specs, curves, and sizes.
Why shop R&M for sticks
Q
Free Hollow & Profile Quiz
Dial in your edge feel before you even shoot the puck.
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ProSharp-certified techs, fast turnaround & tracking.
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Pro Advice
Real stick nerds who skate—get matched in minutes.
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Fast Shipping
In-stock sticks move quick—track it every step.
Helpful Notes
- Cutting a stick short makes it feel stiffer; adding a butt-end can soften the feel slightly.
- Tape and grips change rotation feel—experiment with no-knob or low-profile knobs for quicker release.
- Try a slightly lower flex for snapshots, or slightly higher flex if you lean hard into slapshots/one-timers.
- Still not sure? Visit us or chat—our staff will match your game to the right spec in minutes.