we take a look at the different things to consider when buying a hockey stick

1. PRO STOCK
HOCKEY STICK CUSTOMIZATION
I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M
MUCH TO CONSIDER…

2. CHOOSING A FLEX:
Typically ranging from 65-115, the amount of flex in a player’s stick is determined by
play style, position and personal preference. Forwards looking for a quick release will
often use a lower flex, while defenseman are more likely use sticks with a higher flex
for low hard slap shots.
Fun Fact
NHL player, Phil Kessel uses sticks
with a low flex so that he can quickly
shoot in stride and catch
goaltenders off guard. While it helps
with a quick release, it makes taking
one-timers nearly impossible.
I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M

3. I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M
SELECTING A CURVE
HEEL
Great for wrist shots.
Allows the puck to
naturally rest on the
heel of the blade.
MID
A balanced option.
Allows the puck to
naturally rest on the
middle of the blade.
TOE
For quick snap shots
and a quick release.
Allows the puck to
naturally rest on the
toe of the blade.
NEUTRAL
Keeps shots lower to
the ice and allows for
better puck protection
on the forehand.
OPEN
Helps quickly lift the
puck in small spaces
on forehand and offers
better puck protection
on the backhand.
Fun Fact:
Stan Mikita
and Bobby
Hull are often
credited with
discovering
the curved
blade.

4. I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M
PICKING YOUR LIE
The higher the lie of your stick, the higher the angle of the
blade will be in relationship to the shaft. Generally, taller/
bigger players will use a higher lie – especially if they skate
more upright. Shorter/smaller players will generally use a
smaller lie. You can tell if you have selected the correct lie
by checking to see if the middle of the blade rests flat on
the ice when handling the puck. If the blade is resting
more on the heel, or more on the toe, you may want to
adjust the lie you’re using.
Steeper
Angle
Flatter
Angle

5. I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M
GRIP, OR NO GRIP?
No grip:
Allows for more freedom with your
bottom hand. Some players find it
slightly easier to stickhandle without
grip.
Grip:
This allows the player to firmly grasp
the stick with their bottom hand. It’s
perfect for one-timers and slap-
shots, but can make stick-handling
somewhat more difficult for some
players.

6. Fun Fact
Martin St. Louis used a stick that
was considered several inches too
tall for him. He compensated for
the added height by using an
extremely low lie.
I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M
STICK HEIGHT
The recommended height for most players when cutting their stick to size is at
their nose (not on skates). It’s not uncommon for defenseman, as well as shorter
players, to use a longer stick in order to gain a reach advantage. Shorter sticks
will often allow a player to have greater puck control.
Long
Average
Short

7. Thank you!
P R O S T O C K H O C K E Y. C O M I F T H E P R O S D O N ’ T U S E I T, W E D O N ’ T S E L L I T.
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