Getting back into hockey... Stick and curve?

[Cplus1 0]

Hey all,

I'd like to start off by saying i've spent ALOT of time searching and browsing through the forums and would like to hear some stick and curve reccomendations based on what is currently available.

I am a 19 year old looking to get back into hockey, beer leage.

1. Stick reccomendations - price range is around 100$

Not looking for a high end OPS. Should i go with a shaft and blade combo or a low end OPS???

2. Curve - recchi / datsyuk ish?

Sakic was too open and too high of a lie, forseberge had a great lie but was too straight.

I guess I am looking for a mid ish / mid toe ish curve, 1/2 size curve, neutral face with a lie 5 (in easton scale) BTW the (iginila is too high and the heatley is too short). Is it correct that the recchi and datsyuk are close to what I am looking for? Should I get into molding my own curves and go the shaft and woodblade combo route? Or would a cheap OPS in said curve be close enough to what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance

[K9 Unit 1]

i know for sure the datsyuk is a lie 6 (not counting the rocker), i think the recchi is too but i'm not too sure

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Try searching the PatternDB at the top if you haven't yet and plug in the stats that you want for the blade.

[flyers10 57]

I think totalhockey.net still has the CCM U+ sticks for $129. There is a 10% off coupon code on a post in the Good Deal section and I think they have free shipping over $99. Or look at a nice shaft like a One95 and then experiment with wood blades til you find the curve you like.

[Vathsdrop 0]

You will rarely regret to spend a lot in a high end stick... im not saying it is worth either especially because none comes with a vaseline tube.

Just take a look at the x60/one95/rbk10/s17/u+/... you will notice that those sticks are completely apart from the rest.

To me the difference between high-end stick and the model just below is huge (rbk10/8 - one95/one85 - x60/x50 ... etc kps for easton except their s19/s17/se16 the rest pure crap). There is not a huge price difference but the feel, balance, weight is not comparable at all.

I started the ops with an one90... it was a massive upgrape for me. Then it broke and since im poor i had to deal with mid-range sticks and it was like going back to middle age.. very hard to get back to heavy/non balanced/whippy blade ... etc

The lie is very important ! make sure to get the good one depending on how you play "high" or "low".

Best stick around overall is obviously the one95!

If you go for a combo blade+shaft an heavy shaft and a light blade can give you an interesting feeling. It might be better than a super light shaft with an heavy blade.

In any case keep in mind that eventually you will end up by getting used to your stick what ever it is even if at the beginning you totally hate it.. the only major problem you might encounter will be probably a wrong flex or a wrong lie.

[Chadd 916]

You're putting a lot of conditions on the curve, it's going to be hard to find anything that meets those criteria and feels good to you.

[jsmart 0]

Best stick around overall is obviously the one95!

I had no idea...

and there was no mention of the Warrior brand sticks (some of the best IMO)...and if you get a shaft there are a ton of blade options from many retailers.

Just my $.02

[Sebastien 0]

I just bought myself an Easton S7 as a back-up for my 2 SE16s. I swear to god, it's the best (less than $125) stick I have ever bought. The balance is really good, it's got great control with that low kick-point, that kevlar wrap feels good, the assembly is flawless and it looks awesome. I got the Zetterberg/Forsberg pattern cause I've always played with that one and I love it.

I recommend this stick for your price range without hesitation.

[Cplus1 0]

You're putting a lot of conditions on the curve, it's going to be hard to find anything that meets those criteria and feels good to you.

Fair enough. I guess the proper lie is more important.

Should i go with a shaft combo over a low/midrange OPS? I am not dropping the money on a one95 just yet

[Chadd 916]

You're putting a lot of conditions on the curve, it's going to be hard to find anything that meets those criteria and feels good to you.

Fair enough. I guess the proper lie is more important.

Should i go with a shaft combo over a low/midrange OPS? I am not dropping the money on a one95 just yet

I would go with a shaft and blade to give you more flexibility in finding the right blade for you. Better to be out a $20 wood blade than a $75 OPS.

[gxc999 7]

You're putting a lot of conditions on the curve, it's going to be hard to find anything that meets those criteria and feels good to you.

Fair enough. I guess the proper lie is more important.

Should i go with a shaft combo over a low/midrange OPS? I am not dropping the money on a one95 just yet

I would go with a shaft and blade to give you more flexibility in finding the right blade for you. Better to be out a $20 wood blade than a $75 OPS.

Very good advice. BTW, the Datsyuk and Recchi play like they're much closer to 5 lie than 6, because of the rocker. The same is true for Bauer p106. You might want to look at all those before making any final decisions...

[Chadd 916]

You're putting a lot of conditions on the curve, it's going to be hard to find anything that meets those criteria and feels good to you.

Fair enough. I guess the proper lie is more important.

Should i go with a shaft combo over a low/midrange OPS? I am not dropping the money on a one95 just yet

I would go with a shaft and blade to give you more flexibility in finding the right blade for you. Better to be out a $20 wood blade than a $75 OPS.

Very good advice. BTW, the Datsyuk and Recchi play like they're much closer to 5 lie than 6, because of the rocker. The same is true for Bauer p106. You might want to look at all those before making any final decisions...

I'd say they play closer to 5 period, the rocker has nothing to do with it.

[westcoastsniper 0]

is there any retail curves that play less than 5 lie??

[xaero604 0]

by the way, the recchi is now known as the tavares

[Chadd 916]

is there any retail curves that play less than 5 lie??

Lowest lie version of the warrior Fedorov and the Sherwood Leclair was but it appears to be gone.

[adictd2b00st 0]

fwiw, i've been using the vapor xxv's all year and they are REALLY cheap right now on hockeygiant...... i wanna say $65, i'd pick up a few more but they don't have anything left in the p88 curve 102 flex :( I had a couple one90's but seemed to be breaking them pretty regularly, so I made the switch to see how they were and the xxv has been very comparable and at a cheaper price to boot.

[jsmart 0]

Based on what you've told us Chadd is correct...a shaft with a handful of $20 blades is the way to go so you can try out a number of curves within the specs you have laid out and find the one that's best for you. Then if the curve is avalible retail buy one for your main stick and keep the combo as a back-up.

There are almost always used Warrior Dolomite shafts around (I've seen combos in the $80 range) and the blades are very easy to find with lots of curves (even pro stock) avalible. That is what I would start with and go from there.

[Chadd 916]

Based on what you've told us Chadd is correct...a shaft with a handful of $20 blades is the way to go so you can try out a number of curves within the specs you have laid out and find the one that's best for you. Then if the curve is avalible retail buy one for your main stick and keep the combo as a back-up.

There are almost always used Warrior Dolomite shafts around (I've seen combos in the $80 range) and the blades are very easy to find with lots of curves (even pro stock) avalible. That is what I would start with and go from there.

As a new member, he doesn't have access to the gear exchange.

[jsmart 0]

I understand...but he could check fleabay or other sites for used gear.

I tried not to say around "here" as I noticed his post count was low...

[Cplus1 0]

Weighing in at 150 lbs should i go for a 77 flex or an 87 flex? --I want to load up shots but I don't want to lag on my handling.

LHS just put up ccm senior composite v08 for 50.00 canadian, 87 flex. Decent for the money?

How do i become able to access the gear exchange?

[Chadd 916]

How do i become able to access the gear exchange?

You have to be a member for a while

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...=28449&st=0

[jsmart 0]

Weighing in at 150 lbs should i go for a 77 flex or an 87 flex? --I want to load up shots but I don't want to lag on my handling.

LHS just put up ccm senior composite v08 for 50.00 canadian, 87 flex. Decent for the money?

How do i become able to access the gear exchange?

I would think an 87 would be fine (depending on how much you'll need to cut it)...there are a few ways to check if the flex is right...do a quick search on here or google.

$50 is a decent price on that stick if they have a curve that works for you.

[Chadd 916]

Weighing in at 150 lbs should i go for a 77 flex or an 87 flex? --I want to load up shots but I don't want to lag on my handling.

LHS just put up ccm senior composite v08 for 50.00 canadian, 87 flex. Decent for the money?

How do i become able to access the gear exchange?

I think height would come into play when making the decision. A 5-5 guy would be better off with the 77 and a 6-5 guy would be better off with the 87 or 102. How much will you be cutting the stick?

[Cplus1 0]

I am 5'11. If the shaft and blade combo come to 60 Inches then only a inch or two atmost.

[jsmart 0]

87...just check the flex of both before you buy it to make sure it feels good...