Good beginner flexible/whippy stick

[MattyChinch 0]

I'm just getting back into hockey and, well, when I used to play, my stick was bad it was embarrasing! rofl.

I was just wanting to know what is a good starter stick that is pretty light (especially blade light), has noticeable whippyness to it and is reasonable price-wise? I have a fairly regular flexed Easton SMU stick now so I wanted to get a whippier stick as I shoot around to get used to the different stick types.

Thanks all

Just gonna add something to this.

Where can I buy a good quality helmet with a visor at a reasonable price in Canada? Canadian Tire possible? If not there is a source for sports here but I assume they would be more expensive. Also how much would a beginner set of shin pads cost and a jock?

[Blueandgold26 1]

intermediate dolomites are pretty whippy and not too blade heavy.

[sharks25 9]

If you can find a intermediate easton se16 that would be the most balanced stick under $200 IMO. You could look at prostock sticks, but most are stiffer or too long so you probably would neeed to cut them down. Im probably forgetting about some miracle stick, maybe a base or other stick (ive never used them so im not sure about balance or performance).

[MattyChinch 0]

thanks for the replies guys. Where would be the best places to look for these sticks? Source for Sports? Sportchek? I like these stores but most of the stuff is SMU. Note: I'm canadian so canadian stores . :D

Also if there are good sites to buy stuff online I would love to know them. :D

[gerbe3:16 19]

Not sure what your price range is but...

I just got a 2010 Dolo DD in a 55 flex on clearance at the monkey. Awesome awesome stick. The DD blade has some very good feel (hearing 2011 Dolo DD is even better but this is light years ahead of my XXV's blade). Flex is fantastic obviously. I think it was around $109 when I got it but shipping added in made it like $125 I think.

[MattyChinch 0]

Cool, so I guess I can only get these sticks by ordering online?

edit: does hockeymonkey ship to canada?

[AIREAYE 248]

Wrong, check out Pro hockey Life or Hockey Experts (google). Try not to go to Canadian Tire, they generally do not sell quality gear.

[MattyChinch 0]

sadly they don't have a store even close to me. Wish I still lived in the GTA but I'm in Sudbury for school :P. Closest is Ottawa/Kanata but f that.

How is hockeymonkey? Reliable and dependable?

[MattyChinch 0]

Just looked at the pro hockey life site... they look better for me because I am canadian but it seems no paypal. hm, cool thanks for the websites.

[Fire Walker 22]

Try The Hockey Shop they have the old Dolomites for $130. Dolomite

[Secti0n31 0]

I know a lot of people will give me grief for suggesting it but a se6 in 75 or int 65 is a halfway decent stick, a few beer-leaguers on my team use them and they've held up well. They're also dirt freakin cheap if you can find em.

Also the new sickick 3 reebok 6k's are perhaps THE best stick for the money in the 2011 line. Int Dolo, INT octolights or crazylights are cheaper than normal and halfway decent. There's a pretty good selection of sticks in the $150 and under price range. If you don't break sticks often, I'd recommend spending a little more money on something you really like, because for people like me, a composite stick can last a decade.

[AIREAYE 248]

you should try your local shops first, and turn to online as a last resort. But I agree with Section31 in that the SE6 is a good value stick for the money, as is the popular X:40 and 6K

[Hermans 9]

If you're in or near the GTA Majer hockey has a lot of TPS on clearance pricing (R8 and R10) and I have the R8 whip-flex and find it's a great stick for it's combination of good puck feel and the ability to flex it and get some extra zing on the puck. Okay, it's not the most "whip" in a stick and it's not the best handling stick but it's a great combination of the two.

[mickz 107]

Honestly I'd use a high end wood stick over a low end composite any day. You will get better performance out of a $50 wood stick than a composite in a similar price point.

[SolarWind 23]

I'm just getting back into hockey and, well, when I used to play, my stick was bad it was embarrasing! rofl.

not sure how long your layoff from the game was, but it's doesn't take long to loose 'softness' in the hands if you know what I mean...

so depending on what the priorities are (overall performance or just shooting) I'd simply get One95 shaft in 77 flex and a wooden blade.

then as your skills come back & the woodie deteriorates you can easily switch to a composite blade of your choice & you’d be no worse then buying a Dolo which is effectively a 2 piece anyways.

just my .5

[AIREAYE 248]

If you're in or near the GTA Majer hockey has a lot of TPS on clearance pricing (R8 and R10) and I have the R8 whip-flex and find it's a great stick for it's combination of good puck feel and the ability to flex it and get some extra zing on the puck. Okay, it's not the most "whip" in a stick and it's not the best handling stick but it's a great combination of the two.

are the TPS' prostock or retail?

[Jarick 5]

Hockey Monkey has 75 flex Reebok 8k tapered shafts for $70 on clearance. Get one of those plus an SE16 wood blade for $90. Throw on some tape and what not to get over the hump and get free shipping. Otherwise there are clearance Dolomite DD intermediates for cheap too.

[Hermans 9]

are the TPS' prostock or retail?

They're marked as pro-stock and some are definitely pro-stock but about 1/2 of them are retail. The R8's are the same ones I bought about 2 months ago and I wish I had known that these would be on sale now as I would have save a bundle.

I think they are just throwing the retail in with the pro-stock to clear them.

[bandits_5 18]

Honestly I'd use a high end wood stick over a low end composite any day. You will get better performance out of a $50 wood stick than a composite in a similar price point.

+ 1 .this is a good choice

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SW53I

[AIREAYE 248]

They're marked as pro-stock and some are definitely pro-stock but about 1/2 of them are retail. The R8's are the same ones I bought about 2 months ago and I wish I had known that these would be on sale now as I would have save a bundle.

I think they are just throwing the retail in with the pro-stock to clear them.

TPS label all their sticks as Pro Stock, marketing thing I believe...what I'm really asking is if they have any R8's or 10's in Whip Flex :P

[bandits_5 18]

Hockey Monkey has 75 flex Reebok 8k tapered shafts for $70 on clearance. Get one of those plus an SE16 wood blade for $90. Throw on some tape and what not to get over the hump and get free shipping. Otherwise there are clearance Dolomite DD intermediates for cheap too.

Hockeymonkey does not offer free shipping , no matter how much you spend. Maybe icewarehouse is what you were thinking? Free shipping on any order over $99.99

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Honestly I'd use a high end wood stick over a low end composite any day. You will get better performance out of a $50 wood stick than a composite in a similar price point.

I always try to tell people this to no avail

[sharks25 9]

I always try to tell people this to no avail

If he was going to buy a cheaper stick than I would say get a woodie in an intermediate flex instead of a stick like the se6. If he was willing to spend alot of money, he can go right ahead. But its very hard to talk people into using woodies if they are picky about the weight of their sticks. But if they are they better be willing to spend the bills on a decent composite. The budget composites are very unbalanced, even if they are lighter than composites.

[G.M. 0]

I'm just getting back into hockey and, well, when I used to play, my stick was bad it was embarrasing! rofl.

I was just wanting to know what is a good starter stick that is pretty light (especially blade light), has noticeable whippyness to it and is reasonable price-wise? I have a fairly regular flexed Easton SMU stick now so I wanted to get a whippier stick as I shoot around to get used to the different stick types.

Thanks all

If I were in your shoes, I'd look for not only something whippy, but, something with grip on it. I think that might help you a bit with your shots and getting used to a whippy stick that might tend to twist in your hand a bit.

[Hermans 9]

TPS label all their sticks as Pro Stock, marketing thing I believe...what I'm really asking is if they have any R8's or 10's in Whip Flex :P

I seem to think they had a few whip-flex but I can't remember which side (L/R) or which pattern or if it was R8 or R10. Look them up on the internet and give them a shout and they'll be able to tell you in no time flat. all they have to do is check out the sticks on rack close to the skate sharpening equipment.