Aug 1, 2010

Executive Summary about Ice Hockey Sticks by Drew Mers

Ice Hockey Sticks are used to score a goal in ice hockey. It has two main parts; the shaft and the blade. The shaft is the long part of the stick held directly by the player. The official stick measurements are as follows: the shaft should not be longer than sixty-three inches; the blade should not be longer than twelve inches and the width should be 2 to 3 inches. Sticks of the goalkeeper differ from other players. The blades are wider measuring 3-4 inches and longer, up to fifteen inches. The shaft also contains a protective knob at the tip.

When buying, consider the materials used for the stick. Ice hockey sticks can be made of fiberglass, wood, graphite, aluminum, Kevlar, or titanium. Sticks made from wood are the cheapest and have a good fit for young players. Wooden sticks have acceptable flexibility and durability and from this, the player can gauge the properties he would want for his permanent stick. Graphite sticks also offer the same familiarity as the wood, but quite stronger and is more expensive. When one is going for superior durability, one should grab a stick that has a shaft made up of aluminum or titanium. Kevlar was originally used for enforcing the strength of aluminum, but are now available as the lone material for shaft.

Also check for the sticks flexibility, which is printed on the shaft. The most advisable stick is the one with detachable blades and shaft. One-piece sticks are not ideal for beginners as they do not offer much adaptability. Choosing ones stick is something only the user can do. There are no hard and fast rules. The stick should complement the position of the player and the player himself.