4 points you should know BEFORE buying any hockey stick 

US, I think most people around here go by baseball/golf "rules" where if you're right handed, you'd get a right stick. Personally I'm dominant hand top and went with a lefty stick, based on that recommendation from a more "canadian" approach if you will, also was told "However you'd go hold a shovel". It just made sense for stickhandling purposes since the top hand does more of the work and I like wrist shots.

I started playing like most kids from my generation (I’m 66) with a straight blade. Our NHL heroes were just starting to experiment with curved blades. When you picked up a stick you were either a right hand shot or a left. Nobody thought about it because it didn’t matter.

I play hokey for 20+ years since I was 6y old but I never thought that there are so many things to look for, I always picked one that "feels right" and went with it but now I used your video as a guide and choose a stick that I would normally never pick and after a few games I can tell you that it is the best stick I ever used, thanks guys, stay awesome!

This video is a great tool for those new to purchasing new twigs. Everything said is a great base line guide to buying the stick you want. I do want to point out that what is NOT mentioned is that with all that information, you should trust the feel of what makes you as a player comfortable to use. Just because you have all this info, it comes down to comfort for the individual. I use a 77 Flex with all three kick points for different situations on the ice. Since I played Defense and was on the Power Play, I used the HKP for shots and control, MKP for Even Strength and PK situations for balance and for shoot outs I have a LKP stick I use. Its all on feel and comfort. You can feel the difference between a stick that is right for you but you may need to experiment a bit with different sticks. Don't be afraid to ask a sales rep for help if you are unsure but the main focal point I am making is get something that feels comfortable for you to use all day on the ice.

From the southern US. First person ever in my South Carolina family to play hockey. This is such good info. Been guess at sticks since 1997. Thank you!

Great job, answered a lot of questions . Thanks

When I was taught to play hockey with my first ever hockey stick, I was told to have my dominant hand on the bottom. It felt very natural

Love the informative videos along with fun facts like the one about Ovechkin.

I could have sworn that for CCM, they actually had the CCM Tacks that was a mid-kick point. I'm aware the CCM Jetspeed is hybrid, for I"m pretty sure they had CCM Tacks as the main mid-kick stick

US - I was given a broom and told to demonstrate sweeping with it. From there that'll tell you what hand you prefer on top and which on bottom.

Always a good video to look back on and refresh my memory. Cheers!

Hey nice video, I just wanted to let you know that whenever I watch one of your videos I always get into to a good mood. So thank you for that. Keep it up 👍 😃

Look at Sydney crosby and Patrick kane. Both basically the same height. Yet Crosby uses a really low lie probably a 4 with a really short stick, but if you look at him play he’s always got his knees bent and low to the ice. Patty kane on the other hand uses a super high lie, probably close to a 7 and he is always upright and has the puck in close to his feet.

Great video as always, thanks!

Great video, wish I had this to show to a buddy back in high school. He (5'6") played with a longer stick than I (6'2") did, with a higher lie. I swear every pass went right beneath the toe of his stick lol

I guess I'm old and out of touch but I wasn't aware that people actually choose/are told which way they shoot. When I was growing up we just picked up sticks instinctually and that's the way we played, it wasn't a conscious decision. Just like throwing a baseball or kicking a soccer ball, you just did it.

Another great video Chris!

I have played and coached since I was 8. I am now 49 and still can't get enough of the game. Anyways so I feel that "control" is more important than shot power. I am right handed and shoot lefty. You can always build up your strength for the bottom hand. Although when I am driving a car I feel more comfortable and in more control with my left. The main reason is driving a manual trans. Yet when I was coaching Adam Graves said strong hand on the bottom. Another example, I bat lefty in baseball. Just seems natural, but like you said it's a personal preference.

I would say the stick handedness preference is totally subjective. My dad golfs, throws, and writes with his right hand but plays hockey left handed, whereas I’m the same way but I play hockey right handed. In my opinion, using your dominant hand on top will help early on, but having your non-dominant hand on top will help in the long run.

Super explanation. Even though I’ve played for a hundred years I still have to try to decipher the marketing language every season.

The description about the stick's lie is excellent. What you'll find is that there are less curves avaiable with 4 and 5 lie sticks, but your passing and shooting will suffer if you choose a wrong lie.

I've really been enjoying your channel lately man. I've been playing roller derby for years and recently decided to transition into ice hockey and I'm finding your content really helpful. Mind you, I'm an absolute newbie and everything is so different when you're literally moving on knife blades on ice. Don't know if it's too late for me as I'm 28yo, can I really transition to and learn a new sport at that age but but hey, haha at least it's fun. Hope to maybe join the Leeds Roses soon. Thanks for your videos.

In the US. I have four people playing in my house, my self and my 3 boys. I am right handed and shoot right. I only find that awkward when I play defense and want to poke/ stick check. I've tried to change hands but it's just so weird, I have hard time stick handling, and my shots are always pulled right. I've basically just worked to strengthen my left hand/ arm to make things easier. Though if there's a pop-up puck, I still reach for it with my left (catching) hand, which is equally awkward to playing lefty as my top hand comes off the stick. I have one kid that is also right handed and shoots right. Although when I watch him shovel snow or rake leaves he holds them with left hand on top. So that is definitely his preference. I have a left handed kid that shoots right, and right handed kid that shoots left. That's just how they picked up a stick when they started. For stick lie, I prefer a 5 or 5.5. I can play with a 6. I tried a 7 once and found I was skating over pucks and missing passes.

Would love it if you guys reviewed “no name” hockey sticks. Love the content though keep it up.

US player. When I started I was handed a stick and told to hold it both ways, and to choose what felt more natural. For me that was dominant hand on the bottom. Thank you for putting such a focus on stick Lie by the way. It wasn't until I was an adult player that I was exposed to Lie as a factor in stick design. I finally discovered that Lie 5 in a 60" stick was my sweet spot ... improving my stick handling and shooting immensely. I was previously playing with a 60" Lie 6 or 5.5 and while it was okay is no where near as "natural" feeling as a Lie 5. I did notice that adding an inch to my Lie 6 sticks (61") improved them greatly too, though.

Yes, definitely, if you're new to hockey and don't know which handed stick to use, try both ways. For me, with my familiarity with baseball and golf, I went with a right handed stick (being a right-handed person). I tried a left handed stick, but just could not get the motion to work as well.

I'm 19 and have played hockey for as long as I remember. Currently, I am a skating and hockey instructor at my local rink. When working with younger kids or new-time hockey players we always try to make sure the dominant hand goes on top. The reality is, especially with younger kids is they try to always change their hand position. They are playing as a lefty one minute and then a righty the next and that is something we have to coach out of them. The truth is having the dominant hand on top is going to be the most effective for I would say 95% of players. There is a small majority who play with their dominant hand on the bottom that excels in the sport, but the majority you will find play with their dominant hand on top. Having the dominant hand on top gives the players numerous advantages, the biggest one being their ability to control their stick when it comes to every part of the game (shooting, puck handling, passing, receiving passes, etc..). On a side note, another thing I feel like that is severely neglected by parents and new hockey players is stick length. They almost also choose a stick too long which affects the players in a negative way. If having your dominant hand on the bottom is what feels natural, honestly go with that. But when you have someone new to hockey, try to make sure the dominant hand goes on top.

Im a lefty, i shoot left, i have great stick handling and a rocket shot. My right hand being on the top is more to grip the stick, my dominant hand left, is light when stick handling only until im shooting does it become a fist that im trying to drive into the ground. I have done lots of reps of 1 handed stick handling with my right hand to make everything smoother. At the end of the day it doesnt matter which side you shoot so long as you practice. I am canadian.

I am relatively short 5'9" and used to use 75 flex cut down 4 or so inches. Then Bauer recently started making 70 flex adult sticks which are a little shorter than harder adult sticks and it was like day and night in a positive direction. I only post this here because it is a relatively new development and the intermediate sticks were a bit too whippy for me but OK. I also think that it is important because the game has moved a bit away from the big wind-up slapshots and towards quicker release, just get it to the net kind of mentality. Just a niche anecdote but it was a game changer for me.

Speaking of flex, I went the other way. I'm 200lbs and started with an 85/87 flex. Once I really started using the stick right, I was over flexing the stick even in just passing. My current sticks are 95 cut down to about 100-102 flex rating.

Alberta, Canada I’ve never heard anyone really talk about it just go by what feels natural to you

Yeah good video i identified my self in a ccm jet speed ft 2 and it is what i use 👏

I'm right handed and shoot right. I'm in Canada. But most of my friends that are right handed shoot left. They also played hockey as kids, I picked it up (seriously that is) as an adult so I just went with what felt comfortable. I also mostly play goalie, which means I have to shoot left handed anyway as I catch with my left.

I'm from New Zealand and it's most common hear for players having the dominant hand as the bottom one, I myself have my dominant hand up top as I'm left handed.

Here in Finland it’s pretty rare to see righties, almost everyone seems to play with a left handed stick. Of course there are always like a few righties on the team but it’s mostly lefties

this channel is so good man

Your views on flex, 100 percent correct. I was known to have a slapshot that could drop people if I hit them in a bad spot. Then I broke my last 85 flex stick. Before I knew we could special order any custom stick we wanted, I was unable to locate another stick with the curve and lie I wanted and the flex I needed so I settled for a 110 flex stick that I had to then cut several inches off of, so its probably more like a 115 flex now. I haven't managed to break that stick, but I have also never been able to shoot with it at all and my feel of the puck through the stick is gone, so I find myself looking down a lot now to make sure I haven't dropped the puck. I just ordered a custom 87 flex stick. I think I will order a 75 for the next stick I order to try that out. Thanks for the information.

I shoot left. Always have, it’s just what felt right. I played a couple games as a kid with a right stick and it was so wrong. Golf left, bat left. But I’m right handed. As far as lie goes. Look at the tape at the bottom of your stick where does it wear? Should be even or in the middle. Flex. I prefer quick wrist shots, I use a whippier stick, but not too whippy. 75 but it’s cut down an inch or so. Length. Stick comes up to my chin if I stand it up wearing skates. Curve. Personal preference. Hopefully you’re able to try some. I prefer a flatter mid curve. For me, more accurate passes, more accurate shots, sharper heel curves go way to high for me. I’m not a dangler either so no toe curves either.

I would advice to a player is ,a player should try to see how they are feeling with a basic stick and see what works. I am nearly 200 pds and I don’t like a flexible stick and I can’t go with 100 .but to go with a wimpy non flexible stick sometimes is better for some.to have a lot of blade touching the ice is the most important as it seems to be important and I agree with the point of lie 4,5,6 and the size of your curve depends on the player

I literally went into the store, handed a broom, and whichever way I went for it, I got the stick that way. It so happened dominant hand was on the shaft, but the store worker said it wasn't important. I think it's also helped by the fact I'm left sided dominant in general as well as left handed. Hence, I gravitated to left shooting as well

Where I'm at, they say your dominate hand should be on the top. However, I have also been told that try each side to see which is more comfortable. I'm a dominate lefty, but when I tried to shoot left and it was not comfortable and when I switched to right, I felt I had more power and control. So in short, I'm lefty at everything, except hockey. It's basically like you said, personal preference when it comes to choosing sticks. I didn't have a clue, so I basically looked at the used rack at my local used sporting goods store and went "Yeah I like this one". Thankfully it's been my "best friend" for almost four years now, the Warrior QRE Clutch with a 55 flex, which according to my coach, is all I'll ever need, is perfect for me!

What’s a good overall blade for a beginner? I’m starting recreational hockey next month and i have no clue what a good blade would be. I’ll most likely be using Bauer.

regarding the Lie angle you need to consider: skate balde (runner) height, if the stick is shortened, players height, players arm lenght...skate blade is changing with sharpening or profiling you might notice difference from 4 to 8 but not 1 or 2 degrees :) unless you measure dynamic lie with a TracKMan :D

Hi, can you do a review on the True stick please?

I'm from Canada and we've always been told to have your dominate hand on top

Using a bauer hyperlite flex 87 loving it, im 163 Pounds and are 6 feet

I have found that retail shops don’t offer all the options of, say, pro stock hockey which I believe has pro overflow inventory. At my small size and weight, I appreciate find light flex, lower lie, shorter sticks that work with my size. But warning … don’t let this overtake your brain. I’ve played enough tennis with people who get mental, make a bad short, then have to change their racquets between shots. All this fussing, if not controlled, can make you mental. Stay above it. My personal two cents, for what it’s worth.

I like using the Warrior brand (currently using the QRE4) What do you think would be a better stick to use but still in the Warrior brand?

I have tried many flexes, I am around 6 feet tall and 160 pounds. I also cut my sticks down about 3 inches from retail height. This raises the flex around 9-15. Ive found that at retail height, I shoot and play best with a stick around 85/87 flex. However, since I cut my sticks down, I need to order mine about 10 flex lower so I usually go for a 77/75. I know my shooting could benefit from a lower flex, however I hate the feeling of my stick flexing in my hands when im digging in corners. Ive adapted and am very happy with my shot even though I use a stiffer stick!

Can you do a best goalie gear?

Really a good video

Can you do a video where you have the same stick but with different curves and see if you can feel the difference significantly

Any Recommendation/advice of stick for beginner ? right handed , heights 171cm

I prefer dominant hand on top, because for snap shots I pull my top hand back quite a bit. And the better poke checks as a D is nice.

I’m going to jump in on the length part. I have never used a stick that I haven’t cut down even if it’s only millimeters. Stick length is exceptionally important. We all know the Pro players have their sticks made exactly to their specifications but there is a mitre saw in every equipment room in elite hockey. Yes, there are a few players that have a reputation of not caring about their sticks but that is a slim minority. Almost every serious player makes micro adjustments to their sticks. All the work uses to go into the blade but now with composite sticks it’s only about length and the top of the stick. As consumer players fine tune your stick length because we don’t have a lot of choice. Go to a stick rack in a shop. You could have half a dozen blade patterns (each with a specific lie) in a particular stick but the length will be identical. As you adjust the length you also adjust the flex. The more you cut down a stick the stiffer it becomes.

Great video! Brett Hull used a very low flex as well. Do you think the lie will become optional like the fit system today? Wouldn’t that be great?

Pro stock sticks are way better then retail. Not only are the specs better and the custom touches but the curves are just insane and I find even my least favourite pro stock I use shoots better then the best retail I’ve used. And the best thing about pro stock is if u dial in a older model ex. Warrior qrl u can get that stick wrapped as a newer stick

Good vid but the lowest ovi went was 70-77 and he barely used them. The 80-85 range he had used a ton is also super whippy for a guy as tall and heavy as him, considering the shots he takes. So he totally has used some whippy sticks, the 65 flex rumor is misinformation ✌🏻

Yeah I was told that your dominant hand should be on top in the US. I tried both as a kid but I liked having my dominant hand on the bottom of the stick so I’m a righty. My brain just couldn’t figure out the mechanics for having my right hand on top haha I’m technically a lie 4, but they’re hard to find now and days. So I have switched to a lie 5 which it’s been like 6 or so years so I’m used to it now!

when he says "height", does that mean with skates on or off? Great video!

Where the best/ recommend place for pro stock and customs sticks

in sweden it is dominant hand on the top

ccm ribcor trigger 6 pro vs bauer sling???

The big windup slap shot is not as much a part of the game as it used to be. Even from the point the object is to get the shot through the defenders. This usually means a very accurate and quick snap shot or wrist shot. Keeping your head up during your shot and on the target is much more effective than a wild blaster.

In my area it’s usually dominant hand at the bottom

I just went with whatever one was most comfortable

UK. I play left and have my dominant hand on top. It was always that way, I even failed horribly to play field hockey at school because I wanted to play left and that is illegal in field hockey.

So nice

I was thought to put the dominate hand on top. I raised my kids that way as well. I live in the Chicago area. Most here are thought to shoot the same side that they bat.

The flex rule I had never heard of. I weigh 235 pounds, which would equate to a 115 flex (which is used by those like Zdeno Chara). I also don't have the upper body strength of most so my preferred flex is 70-75.

I am 175 pounds and play mostly roller and some ice. I learned I like a 75 flex for roller and an 85 for ice (due to puck weight differences).

I'm a righty I prefer my dominant hand on bottom because I feel like I have more control

I need my dominant hand on top because it's doing all the rotation work with stick handling.

I’m from St. Louis, and it’s mostly personal preference on handedness here. It seems that most people use their dominant hand at the bottom of the stick, which is how I use my stick. I have tried the other way around, but it just feels very unnatural.

Modano’s curve, is the only way to go. In the USA, it’s dominant hand=the stick side you use. Right handed, right handed stick.

Is there a way you can buy pro stock?

In Canada I was taught that dominant hand is the lower one

I’ve been playing hockey for 50+ years and the dominant hand placement argument recycles every few years. In Canada the split is roughly 60/40 to dominate hand on top for right hand dominates. That means approximately 60% of right handers play with a left hand stick but these statistics don’t translate to golf. A large number of hockey players that shoot left handed in hockey will play golf right handed and in baseball I think the stats are skewed even more for right handed players batting left handed.

I played lacrosse and hockey in HS and College. My strong hand is my right hand but my left hand is stronger than my right as far as grip strength goes. I can shoot both left and right hand with a lacrosse stick but I can’t shoot with my right hand at the top whatsoever. I’m right handed and my right hand is at the middle of the shaft and I can knock out a slap shot of 75-80mph. I can’t shoot with my left hand on top but I can do stickhandling and shooting with my right in the middle. I’m in the USA.

Hello! Thanks for interesting video. Please, do not stop and make video about helmets, it must difficult for me. Maybe exist some tips how to select right helmet which will be comfortable. 😉👍

Do you have a Hockey Tutorial blog or something similar? I wanna pick your brains on some products. Like an “ask Chris and Tommy” Q&A segment.

I’m 5ft 10 and only 120 lbs and I have been using a 65 flex but the sticks are always to short for me so I am kind of stuck on what to do.

I really need your opinion. if U had to pick one would u go with a warrior fantom QRE, warrior alpha QX, or warrior covert QR edge . Based off of best performance

A couple things: Lie: It can also vary based on how you cut your stick. In short, when testing make sure it's based off your preferred stick length. Flex: I wouldn't go on weight. I would go more on use. If you use more snap and wrist shots, and you like to load the stick, a lower flex is beneficial. If you take more clappers, you may like a higher flex. Not saying I'm right, just offering an opinion on what worked for me. One last thing regarding curve and kick point: To figure that out, you're just going to have to experiment and find what works. Me? I really don't care much about kick point, but curve I do. I can't use big curves with 'loft'. I'll shoot everything into the netting over the glass. I need a closed blade. Again, Each person needs to figure that out for themselves.

I always saw lie as how close you prefer the puck to be with you. As for the blade position on the ice, that when I cut the top of the shaft to length. As for your right/left question. (Midwest USA) varries. My son is ambidextrous but prefers to use a left stick.

i use pp26 stasny the best curve

New Jersey - I play lefty, but bat righty, throw lefty, but write righty, tennis righty, ping pong lefty, I drive righty but putt lefty. I'm not ambidextrous, what I've found is my right is my skill hand, thus for hockey it's at the top, my left is my power hand, thus I bat righty. Thank God I was told as a kid to choose whatever felt most natural!

In finland we usually do what feels the most natural. And most of the time if urnright handed ur a leftie and left handed ur a rightie. Of course there is exeptions like me, I am right handed and a rightie.

I’m 6 ft and righty. I always shot righty because I felt I had more maneuverability due to playing video games and the control pad was always left handed. Plus I always had a weird slip grip which I would always slide my hand, so I can always recover quick. I also liked chopping my twig to a shorter length which killed my flex point. I would just compensate for the rest.

Here’s a tip for left or right. Grab a broom. Start sweeping. Which hand is on top? Right hand? Grab a left handed stick. Left hand? Grab a right handed stick.

I can go both ways lol left or right.. definitely more comfortable on the left (Canadian here)

Dominant hand on top grab a rake that will show the natural hand arrangement... Ambidextrous if you have the proper coaching

I think I am using the incorrect lie. When I was much younger, I used an R6. More recently, I have been using an R5.5 or an R5. This morning I played drop in and noticed the most wear on the bottom heel of my stick. This made me think I should be using an R4 or at least to try an R4. What are your thoughts?

Massachusetts bottom strong hand

Yes, that’s very true a lot of NHL players use incredibly whippy sticks! Patrik Laine uses a very whippy stick for his height and weight.

The biggest problem I find trying to consider lie is that it is often tied to the curve. So, if you want a particular curve you'll get it paired with a lie. I suppose the difference is that different manufacturers might vary this somewhat (and most have similar curves as their main ones found in stores). So, right now I have an idea about what flex and curve I want, but I really want to try out different kicks. Problem here is that it is difficult to try them out other than finding someone who has one.

10:37 when you say "between height of nose and chin", is that with skates on or off?

Any tips on how to help your four year old decide left or right? I can't remember how I chose to shoot left in spite of being right handed, but I do remember my first stick was flat-bladed so there must not have been any pressure to commit one way or another. Looking at the kids sticks in a shop now, everything was either left or right.

i just got a ccm jetspeed

I'm right handed and swing a bat right but, I shoot left in hockey. I've tried right handed sticks and it doesn't work out too well.