Can't decide between Synergy SE-16 and Stealth S17

[ablatt 0]

Looking to buy my 16 year old son a new stick.

He's 5'9" 140 pounds but works out somewhat and is playing AA hockey in Toronto.

He has used a Synergy Stealth CNT Int. RH Forsberg up until now but it's too soft and light and the shaft is too thin.

He's more of a playmaker and in-close scorer than hard shooter.

So the question is what would be the major noticeable differences between the SE-16 Zetterberg and S17 Forsberg?

I know the SE16 is slightly heavier.

[Jarick 5]

Any reason to stick with Easton? I'd be looking at a Bauer XXXX in 77 flex.

[ronnychencharik 0]

So the question is what would be the major noticeable differences between the SE-16 Zetterberg and S17 Forsberg?

Those patterns are equal.

[ablatt 0]

That's an option I've looked at, in addition to the One90 and One95 but was reluctant only because he's used Easton for so many years.

Also some Junior A player at a store that sold both, told me the XXXX wasn't good, for whatever that's worth.

Thanks Ronny. I know the patterns are equal.

Looking for major noticeable on-ice differences between the two and which would be better for him.

[Jarick 5]

The S17 is supposed to be a higher kick point shaft, which would give more power but slower release. The Stealth CNT was a very low kick point shaft, which gave a very quick release. If he liked the CNT, I would go with the SE16, which is a traditional low kick point shaft.

It's just a matter of getting a stick that isn't too stiff, as an intermediate to 85 flex is a big jump. Which is why I'd go with the Bauer XXXX 77 flex or a Warrior Dolomite 75 flex or something like that.

[interpathway 9]

XXX Lite in a 77 would be better IMHO. People have been complaining here about the XXXXs lack of feel for the puck, and if he is the in-tight control player you mentioned, feel would be of utmost importance.

[troy 12]

I'd second Jarick's 75 Dolo recommendation, I prefer my Dolos to my XXX Lites.

[ablatt 0]

Why does Easton not make a lower flex than 85 for the senior sticks?

Is it possible the 85 flex Easton is equal or similar to a 77 flex Bauer/Nike?

What's the equivalent Warrior pattern to a Forsberg - Draper?

[Jarick 5]

Easton makes (or made) a 70 flex Synergy shaft. That feels whippier that my 75 flex Dolomite.

Another option would be to buy a 75 flex Dolomite shaft or 77 flex Vapor shaft and put an Easton blade in it.

[marc_9 0]

Why does Easton not make a lower flex than 85 for the senior sticks?

Is it possible the 85 flex Easton is equal or similar to a 77 flex Bauer/Nike?

What's the equivalent Warrior pattern to a Forsberg - Draper?

warrior's forsberg equivalent is Fedorov.

[CheesePlz 0]

i think the closest warrior curve to the forsberg is federov but im not sure if they still make it

nvm marc beat me

[ablatt 0]

Forsberg is lie 5, 3/8" 9mm mid heel curve.

Federov is lie 4 with same curve, but Draper is lie 5 with more curve.

[Rustpot 1]

Easton makes (or made) a 70 flex Synergy shaft. That feels whippier that my 75 flex Dolomite.

Another option would be to buy a 75 flex Dolomite shaft or 77 flex Vapor shaft and put an Easton blade in it.

Their 70 flex had intermediate dimensions I think, the OP mentioned the int. stick being too small (guessing shaft size).

Dolo and Vapor shafts aren't the same feel as Easton, both have concave and lack the texture of the kevlar wrap Easton has. CCM or RBK mid flex in a T-shape might be a choice. People have said great things about the U+ and Catapult, though I'm not sure if you can get them in anything but Contour geometry. TPS R8 in whip, though once again it's a concave shaft. I really didn't like the XXXX coming from an SE.

SE16 should be a solid choice, considering how nice the SE was in my opinion. S17 probably shouldn't be your choice unless the 85 SE16 really is too stiff since the 85 S17 will play softer, just be sure you've got deep pockets since the S17 has durability issues.

Might be worth checking the One95. I think it's about the same price as the SE16, 77 flex, initial thoughts from a few guys have been really positive.

[AmoriZep 0]

XXX Lite in a 77 would be better IMHO. People have been complaining here about the XXXXs lack of feel for the puck, and if he is the in-tight control player you mentioned, feel would be of utmost importance.

the feel for the puck is BY FAR the best quality of the XXXX IMHO

[UMWhockey 0]

You can also check the review sections as I have done both a review of the SE and the S17. I like the SE type stick better as the S17 really didn't seem to give me all the much kick on my shots.

[Jarick 5]

Forsberg is lie 5, 3/8" 9mm mid heel curve.

Federov is lie 4 with same curve, but Draper is lie 5 with more curve.

Warrior lies are off (Warrior 4 = Easton 5, Warrior 5 = Easton 5.5, Warrior 6 = Easton 6). They are really close.

Their 70 flex had intermediate dimensions I think, the OP mentioned the int. stick being too small (guessing shaft size).

The Easton 70 flex has senior dimensions and is somewhat boxy; I have one. The Warrior 70 flex is intermediate and very slim. All good sticks to try out though.

[troy 12]

The Fedorov is not a true 4, but it is lower than any of the PM9/Forsberg sticks I have lying around.

[Jason91 0]

I would suggest a CCM U+ Mid Flex Steen, it is identical to the Forsberg pattern and has a similar feel i think, also since he is 5'9 that would maybe mean you would cut the stick a little i would assume which would leave room for some extra stiffness but it's less of a jump all together, especially because U+ shafts feel slightly smaller and have more whip than others IMO.

[ablatt 0]

Jarick, I thought the Stealth S17 had a lower kick point than any of the other Eastons, including the SE-16?

Sites like http://www.totalhockey.net/tab3.asp?item=4239 show a 'Base-kick flex point' although I don't see reference to it on Easton's own site.

I did read an interesting post in http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...08201935AAzaXJl where the person says

That's right, the Stealth S17 is actually a Synergy design in that it is a bonded combination of shaft and blade. Furthermore, the blade element has an 18" hosel in which lies the oval taper. That extended blade is then bonded to an approximately 40" shaft to create the highest kickpoint, non-Stealth design in Easton's line. So, outside of hoodwinking its consumer base to sell a marketing story, what does Easton's S17 do?

Much like the 9K O, the S17 blade element is so stiff that it 1) brings the kick point up under the bottom hand (the complete opposite of the low kick advantage Easton has preached for a decade) and 2) the robust design of the blade/slash zone makes the stick stronger in the traditional impact region.

Which is the S17? Low or not low? If the above is true, then the SE-16 definitely has the lower kick point and would be better for a 5'9" 140lb. stickhandler/playmaker/in-close shooter as long as he can handle the 85 flex?

The S17 is supposed to be a higher kick point shaft, which would give more power but slower release. The Stealth CNT was a very low kick point shaft, which gave a very quick release. If he liked the CNT, I would go with the SE16, which is a traditional low kick point shaft.

It's just a matter of getting a stick that isn't too stiff, as an intermediate to 85 flex is a big jump. Which is why I'd go with the Bauer XXXX 77 flex or a Warrior Dolomite 75 flex or something like that.

[Jarick 5]

It's marketed as low, but it seems to be higher (like the 9k). I haven't used them on ice though, so I could be wrong. Lots of people seem to like the Vector U+, very light blade and nice and whippy, especially with mid flex.

[Dougie8 0]

The S17's elliptical taper at the bottom of the shaft doesn't flex. I believe it was Chadd that said he stood on the thing and it wouldn't flex. So I guess that would make it a higher kick point?

[woody15 0]

With my experiences the s17 goes blade soft really fast. The SE is my current stick and I wouldn't go back to the s17. Buy the SE-16.

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

Forsberg is lie 5, 3/8" 9mm mid heel curve.

Federov is lie 4 with same curve, but Draper is lie 5 with more curve.

I'm pretty sure the Forsberg/Zetterberg/Modano/Fedorov is a 1/2'' heel curve, not 3/8" as mentioned.

As for the lies... it is STRICTLY MY OPINION (so please everyone don't jump down my throat) that since all the blades are rockered on the bottom, the lies really don't matter quite as much as in the past.

[Rustpot 1]

Forsberg is lie 5, 3/8" 9mm mid heel curve.

Federov is lie 4 with same curve, but Draper is lie 5 with more curve.

I'm pretty sure the Forsberg/Zetterberg/Modano/Fedorov is a 1/2'' heel curve, not 3/8" as mentioned.

As for the lies... it is STRICTLY MY OPINION (so please everyone don't jump down my throat) that since all the blades are rockered on the bottom, the lies really don't matter quite as much as in the past.

The rocker chnages the way the blade plays, yeah, but you've still got a basis as to where the blade angle sits. A rockered 4 lie will play the center of the blade a lot further out than a rockered 6 lie. Not all blades are so heavily rockered either, they all have some, but some blades are still fairly flat.

P4 Modano/Forsberg/Zetterberg Mid-Heel Slight 3/8" - From the Pattern DB.

As for the S17- I really like the feel, release and balance of the stick, but I traded mine before too long since I didn't like the feel of the 100 flex. They left a lot out of the blade to get the weight and balance right, so that would explain the durability issues. The stick was great on torque and felt really nice on the ice.

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

I know pattern DB says the zettermodanobergov pattern is 3/8", but I'm going to check the stickers when I go back to the shop. I would bet my left nut it's a half inch.