Need advice on buying a shaft for my sister

[sds 0]

Please forgive me for asking the dreaded "stick preference" question.

my sister is 42 and plays in a mom's league. She is 5'3" and is probably 130 lbs. She is fairly strong with decent technique, but she has only been playing for 3 years in a mom's league setting. She is not ripping shots from the blue line, but she can get the puck off the ice.

Considering her level, she isn't really going to go out and spend $1k trying various sticks to develop a personal preference. However, I want to get her into something that is at least appropriate for her as a starting point (she just broke the only stick she ever had).

My main confusion is in the shaft. What flex would be a good start and should I be considering junior sticks or intermediate sticks? Are senior sticks even an option?

She doesn't have man hands, so shaft diameter would be important.

I am leaning towards a two piece with a 5.5 lie. I can choose the pattern for her.

What shafts should I be considering and what line of blades would balance well with these shafts?

[TBLfan 25]

at her size I'd consider junior and maybe int. Chances are that Junior would work well for her. But of course it depends on the person.

[number21 3]

maybe an easton cyclone int. 70 flex (come in 70 or 90)

or the typhoon is cheaper as well.

[mack 44]

A 70 would be too much. I'd go Jr.

[sds 0]

since she is 5'3", I figure I need to cut down the shaft too... so that adds to my flex worries.

since it is a present - I'm considering the dolo junior, but maybe I'm just flushing money down the drain...

[sds 0]

I just found out her previous stick was a:

koho kombo kp25.5 jagr 2270

which I think is a junior stick...

[James 0]

Christian makes a girls stick. I have not seen this but go to the 2007 Christian catalogue.

Here's the info.

Title IX Women’s

• High-modulus 70/30 graphite construction

• Tapered, low kickpoint design

• Extra-soft foam injected blade

• Glossy-rubber finish provides the perfect amount of grip

• Available patterns: #1 & #5

• Available flexes: 60

• 60-day, one-time replacement warranty

[cbj05 0]

Fury makes a women's stick too. 60 flex.

http://www.furysport.com/Hockey/Sticks/Womens-Stick.aspx

Seems like the preferred flex for womens sticks is 60 flex. Definitley shouldn't go any higher than that.

koho kombo kp25.5 jagr 2270

25.5 KP would be around junior flex. RBK/CCM's junior sticks are mostly 20KP.

EDIT: I guess 25.5 KP would be 60 flex, then. Thanks James.

[James 0]

25.5 is almost exactly 60.

Fury makes a women's stick too. 60 flex.

http://www.furysport.com/Hockey/Sticks/Womens-Stick.aspx

Seems like the preferred flex for womens sticks is 60 flex. Definitley shouldn't go any higher than that.

koho kombo kp25.5 jagr 2270

25.5 KP would be around junior flex. RBK/CCM's junior sticks are mostly 20KP.

[ctaz 0]

maybe an easton cyclone int. 70 flex (come in 70 or 90)

or the typhoon is cheaper as well.

I'd say the Cyclone or Typhoon int. 70 flex. Even though I'm a 5'5" male, I still only weight 140ish. I use a 70 flex typhoon cut down a few inches, probably is still only a 73ish flex. The amount of stick she'll cut down would probably only raise the stick to an overall flex of 75-77ish. You could also try a something like a 65 junior flex, but I think she'll be able to handle a 70 cut down because if you get a junior she might not have to cut it down at all.

Personally, I hate buying sticks for other people as it's such a preference thing.

[hockeymom 2]

sds, I'm really just confirming what you've already heard here.

I'm the same size as your sister (well, maaaaybe 5'4" if you're excessively generous) and MissD is about 5'6" or so.

MissD uses an intermediate stick (75 flex) and cuts about 1 - 2" off... the additional 2" for your sister is likely going to make the flex too high. MissD moved into an intermediate stick when she was about 5'4"

I find the circumference of the junior sticks feel a little too small in my hands. So, the women's sticks with a slightly larger circumference and slightly higher flex are probably the ideal.

If you can't find a suitable women's stick... you're going to have to decide which is the less than ideal trading off point at this "in-between" height. Go jr if the smaller circumference and lower flex is less of a problem for her than the higher flex in an intermediate. She will always be able to find great deals on junior shafts!!

[fatwabbit 93]

get her to go with you to try out the sticks herself and find whats comfortable. just like buying skates.

[sds 0]

sds, I'm really just confirming what you've already heard here.

I'm the same size as your sister (well, maaaaybe 5'4" if you're excessively generous) and MissD is about 5'6" or so.

MissD uses an intermediate stick (75 flex) and cuts about 1 - 2" off... the additional 2" for your sister is likely going to make the flex too high. MissD moved into an intermediate stick when she was about 5'4"

I find the circumference of the junior sticks feel a little too small in my hands. So, the women's sticks with a slightly larger circumference and slightly higher flex are probably the ideal.

If you can't find a suitable women's stick... you're going to have to decide which is the less than ideal trading off point at this "in-between" height. Go jr if the smaller circumference and lower flex is less of a problem for her than the higher flex in an intermediate. She will always be able to find great deals on junior shafts!!

the shaft diamter is a concern. Her previous stick was a junior and she claims she loved it. Although it is the only stick she has ever used, so she doesn't really have anything to compare it to.

right now, I'm thinking the Easton Ultra Light jr. in a 60 flex. they are only $45 as opposed to a $85 dolo jr. It will be light year's better than her old stick, I think...

[Cue 0]

I'm 5'3" and 133LB, I play roller and I use a 50 flex junior z-bubble, the stick is cut about 1 1/2inch, I've tried ice with the stick and it seems to give a bit too much with an ice puck, but is just fine with a rollerpuck. I normally play defense but I like whippy sticks. So it also depends on the position and type of shots she normally uses.

[Ti-girl 0]

I use an Int stick, but then again I'm well over 5'3.

Most of the girls on our team use a Jr stick.