Forward AND Defense!

[bolt91 31]

Hey guys I need some advice.

I've been playing forward since I started playing ice hockey about a year and a half ago. My shot (wrist more than slapper) is more developed than my skating ability because I used to play street/ball hockey as a kid. My coach is interested in switching me to defense.

I currently use a Bauer Vapor X60, P88, 67 flex. For wristers, this stick and curve are great. But I seem to be really lacking on my slapshot. I know I can get more power into it and raise the shot more. I also feel the 67 is too stiff so I want to move down to a 60 flex.

I have tried a few sticks/curves:

Easton S3 Iginla curve (blade was too short)

CCM U+08 ovechkin curve (just hated this stick all together)

Bauer Vapor X60 P88 67 flex (current stick)

Bauer APX Pro Stock Giroux (too stiff but I generally like the P10)

Bauer Vapor X60 P14 60 flex (blade was too short and I didn't like the rocker on it)

Bauer Nexus 1000 P92 Lie5 60 flex (curve was okay but I think the lie might have messed with me. Gave my shot more power though)

Warrior Dynasty Kremlin curve 55 flex (curve is crazy. the stick felt a little like a noodle after a few games/practices)

Warrior Widow Kopitar curve 70 flex (too stiff and I didn't like the flex profile but I LOVE the Kopitar curve)

So the point of this long rant is, I want to purchase a new stick but I have no idea what to choose as far as model and curve. Price is not an issue. Any ideas?

I'm sorry this was so long, but I'm kinda lost here.

[AIREAYE 248]

Not to sound condescending at all, but maybe some more practise? With that many sticks, I would tend to think that it's the shooter and not the stick...

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Not to sound condescending at all, but maybe some more practise? With that many sticks, I would tend to think that it's the shooter and not the stick...

Ouch. God forbid she starts a skate thread, since it's less developed...

I actually like her approach - she tried a bunch of curves and has figured out, for the most part, what works and what doesn't. Looking at what's been used, mid curves are good, toe curves not so much. You might want to venture into heels to help out with the slapshot - start out with a Modano clone (PM9/Cammalleri/Burrows) as it just might be the happy medium you're looking for.

[bolt91 31]

It was more to find out what I liked and what I didn't like JR said.

Thanks JR!

[AIREAYE 248]

Not going to apologize just for playing devil's advocate haha

Ever tried a mid-kick stick like a T1? My slappers with my One95 are always better than with a Widow, RS or Dolo.

[JSK81 400]

If you love the Kopitar curve, check out Easton Sakic/Hall, 6 lie Bauer P92 and CCM Nugent-Hopkins. They're basically the same curve as the Kopitar with only slight differences. P92 is the deepest and Nugent-Hopkins the shallowest.

[glu 1]

If you liked the Kopitar but also want to get into heel curves to help your slapper, the P106 might be a good transitional option for you. It's a heel, but not that extreme of one. Maybe a TotalOne in that?

[chippa13 1844]

If your current stick is working well for wrist shots then it shouldn't feel too stiff for slapshots (unless your wrist shot is more whipping the stick around than flexing it). My guess is the problem with your slapshot has more to do with form than the stick. What I would recommend is to continue with your current curve and keep working on your skating and improving your slapshot form. Contrary to what the Mighty Ducks movies have told us, you have to be able to skate to take a quality slapshot.

All that said, if you have a strong wrist shot and you can get it off quickly, then don't worry too much about your slapshot. A quick, hard, low wrist shot from the point can be a lot tougher on the opposition that the long, windup slapshot. Your slapshot will come with improved skating and practice.

[hampshirepuck 2]

Have you thought about trying out a reebok stick? the p38/datsyuk could be just what you need.

[innotastic 12]

i would try a mid kick stick in the same flex/curve. you don't wanna change too much too quickly or you'll find a new bundle of problems and you wouldn't know the cause. you're already proficient at stick handling and passing with your current curve i'm guessing so changing all that just to benefit one aspect of your game will be frustrating.

mid kick sticks load up easier than low kick sticks which makes slappers a bit easier (IMO)

i would try a supreme or an ai.9 (hedman curve). warrior also makes a midkick stick but no one really talks about that one.

[bolt91 31]

If you love the Kopitar curve, check out Easton Sakic/Hall, 6 lie Bauer P92 and CCM Nugent-Hopkins. They're basically the same curve as the Kopitar with only slight differences. P92 is the deepest and Nugent-Hopkins the shallowest.

I tried the P92 but only in the lie 5. I might have to try the 6.

If you liked the Kopitar but also want to get into heel curves to help your slapper, the P106 might be a good transitional option for you. It's a heel, but not that extreme of one. Maybe a TotalOne in that?

I will definitely look into that.

If your current stick is working well for wrist shots then it shouldn't feel too stiff for slapshots (unless your wrist shot is more whipping the stick around than flexing it). My guess is the problem with your slapshot has more to do with form than the stick. What I would recommend is to continue with your current curve and keep working on your skating and improving your slapshot form. Contrary to what the Mighty Ducks movies have told us, you have to be able to skate to take a quality slapshot.

All that said, if you have a strong wrist shot and you can get it off quickly, then don't worry too much about your slapshot. A quick, hard, low wrist shot from the point can be a lot tougher on the opposition that the long, windup slapshot. Your slapshot will come with improved skating and practice.

Very true. I'll be working on my technique as well.

i would try a mid kick stick in the same flex/curve. you don't wanna change too much too quickly or you'll find a new bundle of problems and you wouldn't know the cause. you're already proficient at stick handling and passing with your current curve i'm guessing so changing all that just to benefit one aspect of your game will be frustrating.

mid kick sticks load up easier than low kick sticks which makes slappers a bit easier (IMO)

i would try a supreme or an ai.9 (hedman curve). warrior also makes a midkick stick but no one really talks about that one.

Yes passing and stick handling are no issue. Thanks for the insight!

Thanks for the responses so far!

[JR97 2]

I play both forward and defense depending on the team and how shows up. I also use a Bauer x60 67 flex p88 shaft 90% of the time. For defense, I like it because the flex feels more lower kick than mid kick which helps with hard clearing passes. I also had a TotalOne shaft and One100 shaft that were the amplified mid kick. That mid kick really helped with the slap shot. I usually only used that shaft on power plays or against teams I knew I would have more offensive opportunities for slappers and one timers.

I've also worked quite a bit to get my slapper down with the X60. I can't get the puck up as much with it, but that's a good thing for slappers from the point.

[splitbtw 2]

Hey guys I need some advice.

I've been playing forward since I started playing ice hockey about a year and a half ago. My shot (wrist more than slapper) is more developed than my skating ability because I used to play street/ball hockey as a kid. My coach is interested in switching me to defense.

I currently use a Bauer Vapor X60, P88, 67 flex. For wristers, this stick and curve are great. But I seem to be really lacking on my slapshot. I know I can get more power into it and raise the shot more. I also feel the 67 is too stiff so I want to move down to a 60 flex.

I have tried a few sticks/curves:

Easton S3 Iginla curve (blade was too short)

CCM U+08 ovechkin curve (just hated this stick all together)

Bauer Vapor X60 P88 67 flex (current stick)

Bauer APX Pro Stock Giroux (too stiff but I generally like the P10)

Bauer Vapor X60 P14 60 flex (blade was too short and I didn't like the rocker on it)

Bauer Nexus 1000 P92 Lie5 60 flex (curve was okay but I think the lie might have messed with me. Gave my shot more power though)

Warrior Dynasty Kremlin curve 55 flex (curve is crazy. the stick felt a little like a noodle after a few games/practices)

Warrior Widow Kopitar curve 70 flex (too stiff and I didn't like the flex profile but I LOVE the Kopitar curve)

So the point of this long rant is, I want to purchase a new stick but I have no idea what to choose as far as model and curve. Price is not an issue. Any ideas?

I'm sorry this was so long, but I'm kinda lost here.

If the curve is fine, why not just move down in flex? If the curve is fine and you can't move down, I suggest just working on getting your slapshot where it needs to be. All the stick changes in the world won't help technique whereas technique can adjust to stick changes.

[troy 12]

Not to sound condescending at all, but maybe some more practise? With that many sticks, I would tend to think that it's the shooter and not the stick...

I still think this is the best response, I have never had a stick markedly improve any aspect of my game. There are finer benefits that I grow to appreciate, but once the composite era hit I can't think of a stick that did more work on my shot than I did. This said find a lie and flex that work best. If I have a stick with my correct lie and flex I'll figure out how to shoot pretty well. Also, you might want to accept that there might not be a stick out there that can deliver the performance you desire on both shots.

[bolt91 31]

Not to sound condescending at all, but maybe some more practise? With that many sticks, I would tend to think that it's the shooter and not the stick...

If the curve is fine, why not just move down in flex? If the curve is fine and you can't move down, I suggest just working on getting your slapshot where it needs to be. All the stick changes in the world won't help technique whereas technique can adjust to stick changes.

I still think this is the best response, I have never had a stick markedly improve any aspect of my game. There are finer benefits that I grow to appreciate, but once the composite era hit I can't think of a stick that did more work on my shot than I did. This said find a lie and flex that work best. If I have a stick with my correct lie and flex I'll figure out how to shoot pretty well. Also, you might want to accept that there might not be a stick out there that can deliver the performance you desire on both shots.

I'm sure my technique needs work.

I went ahead and got a Bauer Nexus 1000, P88, 60 flex. I definitely want to improve and I think the nexus will help a little. I might also give the P106 a try down the road but for now I'm going to stick with the P88.

Thank you everyone for your responses.

[Chadd 916]

Changing too many of the variables at once can make it hard to figure out what works and what doesn't. I think you made the right call. It really may be as simple as more practice and improved form to bring your slapshot to a level where you are happy with it.

[Vet88 674]

Unless you are really lucky there just isn't enough ice time to improve your slap shots quickly. If you really want to improve this part of your game fast, buy yourself a shooting pad, net and some pucks. Hit 100 shots a day in the garage / lounge etc. You can buy all the sticks in the world but nothing will help you improve faster than practicing your technique. For advanced practices of one timers and other aspects of your game look at something like this http://www.tape-2-tape.com/.

[Chadd 916]

Unless you are really lucky there just isn't enough ice time to improve your slap shots quickly.

my shot improved dramatically after one lesson with a good instructor.

[bolt91 31]

Changing too many of the variables at once can make it hard to figure out what works and what doesn't. I think you made the right call. It really may be as simple as more practice and improved form to bring your slapshot to a level where you are happy with it.

Thanks Chadd. I definitely am looking forward to some more practice.

Unless you are really lucky there just isn't enough ice time to improve your slap shots quickly. If you really want to improve this part of your game fast, buy yourself a shooting pad, net and some pucks. Hit 100 shots a day in the garage / lounge etc. You can buy all the sticks in the world but nothing will help you improve faster than practicing your technique. For advanced practices of one timers and other aspects of your game look at something like this http://www.tape-2-tape.com/.

I'd love to do that but I live in a small apartment complex.

my shot improved dramatically after one lesson with a good instructor.

My coaches both have awesome slap shots so I'll be asking them for advice at my next practice.

[salibandy 21]

I'd second what Chadd said. Maybe try sticking with your current stick for the moment and work on your skating, or if you think it's too stiff, go down in flex and see how it goes.

[hampshirepuck 2]

maybe invest in one of these: http://www.hockeytrain.com/hockey-skill-pad-shooting-stickhandling.html

I bought one and it helped me out a lot

[bolt91 31]

Quick update:

I tried the nexus 1000 with the p88. I loved the mid kick but I still felt like I was lacking something with the p88.

I decided to use my warrior widow with the kopitar curve for one of our games. Needless to say, I had an awesome game. Passes were more spot on, shots were better, and I even scored a goal. I wanted a mid kick stick with the kopitar so I went to the LHS and picked up a Warrior Evo 55 flex.

Tried it at practice last night and it made a noticable difference. My slapshot was harder and I felt my accuracy was better. My stick handling had even improved. I even scored a goal from the point in our scrimmage.

My search seems to be over. I know I can't contribute all of this to the stick, but I'm glad I've found this new confidence in my game.

[JR97 2]

I know I can't contribute all of this to the stick, but I'm glad I've found this new confidence in my game.

That's what it's really all about. Having confidence your game/technique/equipment to where you don't have to think about it. You can just focus on playing.

[bolt91 31]

If you liked the Kopitar but also want to get into heel curves to help your slapper, the P106 might be a good transitional option for you. It's a heel, but not that extreme of one. Maybe a TotalOne in that?

Tried the P106 at the Bauer Experience tonight and I didn't like it at all. It was good to try though. I also tried the P92. Too open and too much of a toe curve for me. I'm definitely going to stick with mid kick sticks with mid curves. I'm loving the Warrior Kopitar.

That's what it's really all about. Having confidence in your game/technique/equipment to where you don't have to think about it. You can just focus on playing.

I totally agree!

[bolt91 31]

Update: Noticed my shots were fluttering with the kopitar curve.

I went back to the P88 in a 60 flex and have been super happy with it.

Thanks to everyone for their help!