Stick Length

[r_kevinson 0]

Do you guys think that a longer stick gives a better shot? or other way around. Because recently i saw an interview with Markus Naslund and he was talking about how in his first three years in the league he was using a shorter stick, and Mario Lemieux told him to add a couple of inches to the length in order to get harder more accurate shots, and ever since then he's been putting up great numbers.

I was just wondering this because I've been using a short stick for a few years now and I love it for stick handling but my shots seem to be harder to get off. But whenever I try adding a couple of inches to my sticks, i always switch back because i feel as though i can't stickhandle as well.

So what are ur guys preferences, and do u think a longer stick gives a better shot?

[Chadd 916]

Depends on the flex you use. I find that most guys with really short sticks have bad posture.

I play denfense and I gladly give up a little stickhandling for a little extra zip on my shot.

[gotdangles16 0]

i find shorter sticks are the way to go

great for stickhandling and for shooting as well

i skate low to the ice tho that could be a reason i love short sticks

[pldhockey4 0]

i love long sticks, i have a much better shot with them

[BK 0]

Depends on how you play..

I have 2 lengths that I like.. one is below my chin without skates and the other is at the top of my nose without skates.

If I am playing forward, I prefer the shorter stick. Its lighter, and can keep the puck closer to me. I also like the added control of having a shorter stick. I can ring the top crossbar from a foot away with it also.

My longer stick gets saved for when I play d. I like to pokecheck a lot and a longer stick gets it done well. Its also a little sturdier than my shorter one but its a bit heavier. I take a lot of slashes on d, but my longer stick holds up well. Its also great for sniping slapshots from the line.

[Duder84 0]

i recently removed all the end plugs from my shafts and i find that i'm able to stickhandle a lot better, the stick comes just below my adam's apple when on skates, though my shots have been inconsistent but i guess i'm still getting used to the size

[logan 0]

It depends. For whatever reason, I just cant play with a longer stick. My friend, who is mainly a goalie on the other hand cant play out well, but when he does he uses a huge ass long stick and has the hardest shot on the team.

Mario's advice to Naslund is from experience, and observing his style of play. Naslund takes a lot of wristers, and so a longer stick would benefit his style of play. I find that I do take harder wristers with a longer stick and can release them from tougher positions, however I go for a shorter one to balance out other aspects of my stickhandling and shooting.

[pldhockey4 0]

in the end, length is pp.

[fudizzledogg 0]

i use a longer stick...

i really dont think it affects ur stickhandling that much

as long as you protect the puck and keep ur head up you should be fine

i play offense and i like that extra reach it gives when forchecking defensemen in the offenseive zone, on the penalty kill and most importantaly when making moves around the defensemen as you have a longer reach

i think ur shots better too cuz ur hitting the ice earlier, b4 u make contact with the puck n thus getting more flex out of the stick.

but thats just my opinion

[tier 0]

A few years back my coach suggested I use a shorter stick for keeping the puck in close etc, which I did for a couple of seasons. When I bought a new graphite one I thought I'd have a go with it longer before I cut it down and it was way better. Puck handling wasn't a problem and you get much more power and snap on your shots - especially my slapshot!