Need stick & blade pattern advice

[danielb 0]

First some information about me I am 6'2" and 105 kg (230 lbs), I've been playing ice hockey about 15 months now (since moving to Canada) and I mostly play defense. I currently use two Nike Bauer PM9 composite sticks: a vector shift and a one80 (iirc). Both sticks are 100+ flex mostly because I got them cheap as pro returns, although I've recently started getting complements on my slap shot from the blue line corners. I have not cut either stick down yet.

I have tried sticks in the following patterns (only the PM9 in composite):

• Lindstrom - Too much curve and toe flick: passing and shooting was way off.
  
• Lindross - Only used this in roller hockey with some success.
  
• Coffey - Got on OK with this stick in roller hockey: I got some lucky goals with this stick.
  
• PM9 (Malkin) - This is my current pattern and it seems a fairly neutral blade: not too curvey (backhand is still possible) and a low lie.
  

I have recently been toying with a few different ideas which I'd love some feedback on:

1. Trying a different stick length - cutting one of my sticks down.
   
2. Trying a different blade pattern - perhaps a lie 7?
   
3. Changing the flex - using a lighter flex.
   

[Scoobersti 0]

If you are happy with the flex of your current stick, just remember if you cut your stick, it is going to make the stick more stiff.

Also, what is your playing style? I can't recall a time I've used a stick with a 7 lie, but those are more meant for people who play more stand up style.

I think since sticks/blade patterns are all personal preference, you'll probably have to try them on your own to see how you like them.

I play defense as well, and I've been using the PM9 blade and I love it, I don't like big curves and I prefer a neutral face. I like stiff flex sticks, I use a 87 flex, but I'm a shorter guy (5ft 8in) so I cut my stick few inches.

[danielb 0]

Thanks for the advice, I like the PM9 too and its interesting you play D and you like it too.

As per flex is there any sort of guide to choosing the correct flex? All I know is that it is related to height & weight...

[Scoobersti 0]

For the flex, there might be a general guide but, I kind of just went with what works with me after some trial and error. I did the same with the curves too, when I was a kid I tried different curves each time I got new sticks. I ultimately settled on the Titan Selanne curve and that was the curve I kept on buying for a while, now to me I think the PM9 is pretty close to what the Selanne curve was so I ended up going with the PM9 when I started using Bauer sticks.

Edit: The stick length was pretty much the same too, when I first started playing hockey and picking out sticks the guy helping me out told me the usual length is to your nose without skates or to the chin with skates on so I first tried that. Then as time went on I started hearing about shorter stick makes it easier to stickhandle and I tried that but, I didn't like that too much, I think I felt that my shot suffered a bit. I tried a longer length but, for me it was more difficult to stickhandle and the stick just felt huge and too long when I would be holding it. So ultimately, I've just gone with the up to the nose with shoes and to the chin with skates on.

[jsmart 0]

also make sure you only change one thing (flex, curve, length) at a time and see if it helps. If not go back to what was working and change another.

if you change too many things at once you won't know what helped or hurt...just my $.02

[danielb 0]

With regards to measuring the stick length, I assume that the stick blade is at an angle to the ground's surface when your measuring it? I will check my sticks tonight to work out their length.

What is the recommended tool for cutting a composite stick? Would a hacksaw work?

[Scoobersti 0]

I'm probably going to be really bad at explaining the stick measurement thing, but for the stick measurement you would be holding the stick in front of you with just the bottom part of the toe of the blade touching the ground, so your shaft is going straight up.

I just use a hacksaw to cut my composite sticks, I'm sure there are better options, but I've always just used a hacksaw.

[danielb 0]

Actually your measuring explanation makes sense to me :)

I should have a junior hacksaw so I may try cutting down one of my sticks as an experiment, if they are too short. What is the advised way of cleaning/finishing the cut end of the shaft? Would sand paper work?

Am I correct in thinking that cutting down a stick increases its flex rating? That could get pretty interesting with a 100+ flex stick!

[porky45 1]

Actually your measuring explanation makes sense to me :)

I should have a junior hacksaw so I may try cutting down one of my sticks as an experiment, if they are too short. What is the advised way of cleaning/finishing the cut end of the shaft? Would sand paper work?

Am I correct in thinking that cutting down a stick increases its flex rating? That could get pretty interesting with a 100+ flex stick!

I generally use a metal file to file down the corners and what not after i cut my sticks, however i have used sand paper and it works as well.

You are correct in thinking the flex changes when you cut the stick. The more you cut, the stiffer the stick will be. On Bauer's newer sticks they have flex rating lines marked off on the top of the shaft letting you know how much you change the flex with each cut.

[Scoobersti 0]

I've used both metal file and sand paper on different occasions and they did the trick for me as well.

[danielb 0]

One more question if I buy a new stick should I go for a lower flex rating than my current sticks which are both 100+? I'm 6'2", 105KG (230 lbs) and I tend to play D.

[porky45 1]

One more question if I buy a new stick should I go for a lower flex rating than my current sticks which are both 100+? I'm 6'2", 105KG (230 lbs) and I tend to play D.

General stick buying advice suggests that if you are 180lbs or more you go with a 100flex+

I wouldn't go with an 87 flex if you're 230lbs...you'll snap it like a twig.

[Chadd 916]

One more question if I buy a new stick should I go for a lower flex rating than my current sticks which are both 100+? I'm 6'2", 105KG (230 lbs) and I tend to play D.

General stick buying advice suggests that if you are 180lbs or more you go with a 100flex+

I wouldn't go with an 87 flex if you're 230lbs...you'll snap it like a twig.

Bullshit.

That only happens if you mash the stick into the ice instead of shooting through the puck.

I have recently been toying with a few different ideas which I'd love some feedback on:

1. Trying a different stick length - cutting one of my sticks down.
   
2. Trying a different blade pattern - perhaps a lie 7?
   
3. Changing the flex - using a lighter flex.

I suggest that everyone experiment with all of these things at one point or another. I agree with the point that you should try changing one aspect at a time, that way you know what actually works and what doesn't. I think you will also find that a 7 lie is a huge change. If you are comfortable at all with the pm9, a 7 lie may not feel right to you.

[fatwabbit 93]

One more question if I buy a new stick should I go for a lower flex rating than my current sticks which are both 100+? I'm 6'2", 105KG (230 lbs) and I tend to play D.

General stick buying advice suggests that if you are 180lbs or more you go with a 100flex+

I wouldn't go with an 87 flex if you're 230lbs...you'll snap it like a twig.

I disagree... I was using a 75 flex intermediate stick even though I was 215lbs... its all about personal preference, and how you shoot.

[Jarick 5]

Here's my two cents:

1. Stick length - the "common" measurement is up to your nose bare feet and up to your chin in skates. I think this is a good starting point, even if forwards might like shorter sticks or defensemen might like longer sticks, or any other changes due to PP. But if you're playing with uncut sticks that are very high, they might impact your stick handling and development. If your sticks are long, and you have a spare stick that you don't mind cutting down, I would highly recommend it.

2. Flex - you're a bigger guy, so 100 flex isn't out of the question, unless you cut it down quite a bit. When you take a wrist shot, do you feel the stick give and flex a little? If so, your flex is probably fine. If it feels very stiff when you shoot, you might want to try an 85 flex. See if you can take a few shots or even a few shifts with a teammate's stick, assuming it's cut to about what you like for height.

3. Pattern - I really liked the PM9 when I was learning to shoot and play. It's a neutral curve and does a good job at everything. It depends on the height of the stick and the lie you need though, and if the tape wears at the toe, try an Iginla or Lindros instead. I find those to play similar enough without being too crazy, but the lie is different.

[porky45 1]

One more question if I buy a new stick should I go for a lower flex rating than my current sticks which are both 100+? I'm 6'2", 105KG (230 lbs) and I tend to play D.

General stick buying advice suggests that if you are 180lbs or more you go with a 100flex+

I wouldn't go with an 87 flex if you're 230lbs...you'll snap it like a twig.

I disagree... I was using a 75 flex intermediate stick even though I was 215lbs... its all about personal preference, and how you shoot.

This guy said he's on D. Pardon me for making assumptions... He's on D, he's probably shooting slapshots, he's asking flex and stick length questions so he probably doesn't have the best technique (no offense) and rather than shooting through the puck he's probably putting added stress on the stick that isn't needed. I'm not saying that he should get a 100flex stick and then cut it down and make it a 112 flex, i'm simply stating that I think he's going to snap a stick that is 87 flex or below.

We're all making assumptions about what flex stick this guy needs. We've never seen him play, and we don't know his shooting style. Maybe it is "bullshit" that he needs a stick that's 100flex... maybe it's not.

[Jarick 5]

Well the only guy I've ever seen snap a stick was well over 300 pounds. I know many bigger players who have played a year or two, and most of them are nowhere near transferring so much weight that they are close to snapping sticks. Beyond that, when I play D, I'm all about the quick wrist/snap shot, so I use the same whippy stick I do when I play as a forward.

But you're right, nobody knows for sure what he plays like, so we're just giving general advice and telling him not to be afraid to try new things.

[danielb 0]

I'd have to agree, I don't think there is any danger of me snapping a stick during a shot.

[Chadd 916]

This guy said he's on D. Pardon me for making assumptions... He's on D, he's probably shooting slapshots, he's asking flex and stick length questions so he probably doesn't have the best technique (no offense) and rather than shooting through the puck he's probably putting added stress on the stick that isn't needed. I'm not saying that he should get a 100flex stick and then cut it down and make it a 112 flex, i'm simply stating that I think he's going to snap a stick that is 87 flex or below.

We're all making assumptions about what flex stick this guy needs. We've never seen him play, and we don't know his shooting style. Maybe it is "bullshit" that he needs a stick that's 100flex... maybe it's not.

I'm bigger than he is, I bomb away with slappers all the time, use less than 100 flex and my shafts last forever. You "general stick buying advice" is garbage and should be ignored, especially for adults.

[danielb 0]

Ok, I measured my sticks.

They are both up to my mouth when not in skates, so I guess that will be about my chin when in skates? That sounds about the length that most folk where recommending...

[Ahriman 1]

This guy said he's on D. Pardon me for making assumptions... He's on D, he's probably shooting slapshots, he's asking flex and stick length questions so he probably doesn't have the best technique (no offense) and rather than shooting through the puck he's probably putting added stress on the stick that isn't needed. I'm not saying that he should get a 100flex stick and then cut it down and make it a 112 flex, i'm simply stating that I think he's going to snap a stick that is 87 flex or below.

We're all making assumptions about what flex stick this guy needs. We've never seen him play, and we don't know his shooting style. Maybe it is "bullshit" that he needs a stick that's 100flex... maybe it's not.

I'm bigger than he is, I bomb away with slappers all the time, use less than 100 flex and my shafts last forever. You "general stick buying advice" is garbage and should be ignored, especially for adults.

Meh I just don't get it then. Every stick I've bought under 100 flex has ended up snapping in shaft (mostly vapors) none of the 100 flex sticks/shafts I've had did that (easton & CCM). One of the big guys I play with (broad shoulders, heavy, loves the wristers) put a 12" plug in an intermediate vapor stick and much to my surprise didn't break it on the first shot, hell he's used it on the ice at least 5 hours now and it's still in one piece. Confuses the hell out of me how I seem to keep breaking them but his 67 is still going...

[Chadd 916]

This guy said he's on D. Pardon me for making assumptions... He's on D, he's probably shooting slapshots, he's asking flex and stick length questions so he probably doesn't have the best technique (no offense) and rather than shooting through the puck he's probably putting added stress on the stick that isn't needed. I'm not saying that he should get a 100flex stick and then cut it down and make it a 112 flex, i'm simply stating that I think he's going to snap a stick that is 87 flex or below.

We're all making assumptions about what flex stick this guy needs. We've never seen him play, and we don't know his shooting style. Maybe it is "bullshit" that he needs a stick that's 100flex... maybe it's not.

I'm bigger than he is, I bomb away with slappers all the time, use less than 100 flex and my shafts last forever. You "general stick buying advice" is garbage and should be ignored, especially for adults.

Meh I just don't get it then. Every stick I've bought under 100 flex has ended up snapping in shaft (mostly vapors) none of the 100 flex sticks/shafts I've had did that (easton & CCM). One of the big guys I play with (broad shoulders, heavy, loves the wristers) put a 12" plug in an intermediate vapor stick and much to my surprise didn't break it on the first shot, hell he's used it on the ice at least 5 hours now and it's still in one piece. Confuses the hell out of me how I seem to keep breaking them but his 67 is still going...

He has a more pure form than you do.

[Ahriman 1]

Guess I'll have to accept that as as good an explination I'm gonna get. He's got a brother who played pro, grew up in the Minnesota high school system playing for good teams. I picked the game up when I was around 11 in the middle of Illinois without a serious hockey presence around me. I have gotten complements time to time on shots from people saying I was getting good flex on my sticks with good form, just not all the time, and thats just stressing the sticks in the wrong place eh?

[Chadd 916]

Guess I'll have to accept that as as good an explination I'm gonna get. He's got a brother who played pro, grew up in the Minnesota high school system playing for good teams. I picked the game up when I was around 11 in the middle of Illinois without a serious hockey presence around me. I have gotten complements time to time on shots from people saying I was getting good flex on my sticks with good form, just not all the time, and thats just stressing the sticks in the wrong place eh?

I know guys (damn good players too) that fire rockets but break sticks constantly. Why? They hammer the stick down into the ice to get maximum flex out of their stiff sticks. It's not an efficient way to shoot. That doesn't mean it doesn't work, just that it isn't efficient. I'm not saying that your form is that way, just throwing it out as an example.

[westcoastsniper 0]

or the sticks could just be crap... I've yet to break any composite in the shaft, and I've got a decent set of shots. I think that it's got more to do with how you use them in between shooting the puck, if you're getting slashed, or slashing that will effect it. Slamming it on the ice that sort of stuff. How are they stored?

In my opinion that's more important in the life of an OPS, but also you have to think of the batches and etc. sometimes they just fail.