Heel curves

[Sid 3]

OK I may be opening a can of worms but why do most NHLer's use a heel curve. I have been a Mid guy and don't undertsand the heel curve because you seem to have a very small sweet spot? I am guessings most NHLer's can stick handle with anything and that they use heel curves getting a better shot? I have to admit I have never reaaly tried one but I am curious. It also seems to be more a modern day trend as well. I could be wrong on that one and soory if this has been telked about counl not find anything in the search!.

Thanks Sid

[mack 44]

I don't know why I prefer heel curves or why I like vanilla, it's just that way. I prefer lots of shovel and no curve, so I've been using heels since I was a kid and still come back to them. That said, because I use a heel I can't remember the last time I took a geniune wrister.

[whbd18 0]

I was a mid guy for a long time, and 2 years ago I switched to heel curves and couldnt be happier.

[hunter4oz 0]

ive been using heels since i could remember. i think for most people its the shot that you have with a heel curve. to me it seems that its just unmached by anything else, and i have tried other curves. the heel is just where its at for me. puckhandling feels better to me and so does shooting. its all just personal preference.

[flashgordon 0]

I'm pretty sure I've seen this article on the board before in reference to this question:

http://www.theahl.com/AHLOnTheBeat02/0121.html

I've always come back to the heel curve as well. I've never been anything other than an average stick handler, and find that the heel curve works best for me for passing and shooting (mostly snappers, slappers and backhands, rarely wristers).

[Reaper 0]

Personally, I like the Drury pattern because has very little curve depth so the blade (other than the twist) is very straight and has a large sweet spot. That large sweet spot has improved my accuracy and makes it easier for me to tip-pass and deflect shots from the point.

[A_Steeves12 0]

im using heel curves more and more now. they suit my shot style nicly. i like to take lots of slappers and snap shots.

[2-Keys 1]

the only blade that has ever worked good for me is the Forsberg/modano pattern.

[blade_machine 0]

For me I like Long toe curvebecause I'm a stick handler.

By experience I can tell the heel curve is very popular because you don't need to twist the stick to get a good velocity.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

I'm a crappy stick handler, but I like ones with more of a toe curve as it has a better back hand and larger "sweet spot" for slap shots (for my style).

This has been posted before, but is a decent reference point to start with: http://www.epuck.com/storeDir/homepage/bla.../startpage.html

[Sid 3]

I just wonder why you don't see more mid's on NHLer's. It has no real weakness. From what I understand because NHLer's could stickhandle with a fork the opt for heels becuase they get a better shot. Is it also a fact they can get a better shot with a heel when they may be offbalance?

Sid

[cobrAA 0]

i used the modano in the past..i thought it was the best blade...then i started to think abou thte iginla(mid-toe) just to be about to toe drag ...and now i'm sticking with the iginla

I can,t see-figure myselft to stickhandle with a sakic-lindstrom-drury...no offence ... by the way it make sens...i wrist every puck i hav eon my stick...like 9 of 10 shot i make are wrister...more accurate for me..

[chippa13 1844]

I think you'll find a lot of Euros use mid and toe curves. Since the European game is more about puck possession there is more stick handling and passing.

[Karly14 21]

I just wonder why you don't see more mid's on NHLer's. It has no real weakness. From what I understand because NHLer's could stickhandle with a fork the opt for heels becuase they get a better shot. Is it also a fact they can get a better shot with a heel when they may be offbalance?

Sid

id say a lot of players use small mid curves. If heel curves are the most popular, mid curves are probably a close second

[flaming_june 2]

i thoguth it was 70% drury, 10% modo/iggi 10% sakic and 10% crazy toe curves in the nhl.

i could be wrong

[Duder84 0]

I've just started using the drury and I love it. Wrist shots were a little weird at first, but after some practice it was alright, I just love the feeling of the puck rolling along the blade when I shoot. My backhands are easier too use and more accurate as well

[hockeypunk3 0]

I feel that with heel curves my passes wristers snappers, are easier to pick a height and keep it there, but for slapshots its all over the board, so i try to stick with mid-heel curves, best of both worlds for me. I personally use a Modano as a forward and a Lindros as a d-man.

[zingbergeur 0]

I'm pretty sure I've seen this article on the board before in reference to this question:

http://www.theahl.com/AHLOnTheBeat02/0121.html

A little off topic, but there's a hillarious quote in that article by Jody Shelley: "I'm not a goal scorer. For me, the stick is mostly a prop."

[A_Steeves12 0]

i have one for Jody's sticks from when he was here in Jr. and it a Bigg heel curve so he's changed because he says he uses a " a slight curve in the heel, but mostly I'm just looking for something with the right lie on the ice."