blade curvature

[cause4alarm 7]

1) What is the max blade curve allowed in the NHL? I thought it was 1/2" but then I recently read that it might be 3/4".

2) Would most retail patterns be NHL-legal?

3) I've never seen the rule prohibiting big curves being enforced outside of a pro game, but do most rule books even bother having a statement concerning max curve?

These questions aren't exactly keeping me awake at night, but I always wondered and figured if anybody would know, it would be someone here.

[Chadd 916]

Hockey Canada trashed their curve rule a few years ago. USA Hockey still has the rule but is very rarely enforced. In fact, I would say that it's highly unlikely that a ref would even have a gauge unless it was a very high level game.

[cause4alarm 7]

If those questions keep you awake at night, then :o

Dammit. That was a typo.

Btw, I just checked that page 19 of USA Hockey's rule book and their limit is 1/2" curve. However, us Americans are allowed to play with a blade that's 1/2" wider (up to 3 1/2" inches of paddle!).

[DCott 0]

there's no way that a Coffey curve is less than 1/2 in., so definitely not all retail sticks are legal.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

No one wants to be "that guy" and call someone on an illegal curve in beer-league.

[tomh7 2]

The NHL increased the curve limit to 3/4" after the lockout.

The Coffey curve is 3/4" and would be legal in the NHL as well as USA Hockey (BTW the Coffey curve is the bigest curve that I know of).

USA Hockey switched to 3/4" curve with the 2007-2008 rulebook.

[Chadd 916]

If those questions keep you awake at night, then :o

Dammit. That was a typo.

Btw, I just checked that page 19 of USA Hockey's rule book and their limit is 1/2" curve. However, us Americans are allowed to play with a blade that's 1/2" wider (up to 3 1/2" inches of paddle!).

Player stick blades are 2"-3", goalie stick blades are 2"-3.5"

[chippa13 1844]

No one wants to be "that guy" and call someone on an illegal curve in beer-league.

It would be funny watching the ref searching for a dime and then pressing the stick against the glass to measure.

"Hey ref, that kid has an illegal curve!"

"You got a dime?"

"No."

"Then it's legal."

[colt45 0]

1. 3/4"

2. Yes

3. 3/4" but as a USA Hockey Referee...I don't even know how to measure one, they say use a stick gauge...never seen one in my life...and I would fake some measurements and then call it legal if it ever happened. People don't seem to care though.

Hope that helped.