Wood in the NHL?

[bunnyman666 445]

A layer of kevlar also increases weight and changes performance characteristics as well.

It does; however, it is abrasion resistant and can hold a broken stick together.

[shotty 7]

how many people are getting injured from debris of a broken stick?

[TeamHonda401 54]

how many people are getting injured from debris of a broken stick?

Not enough to warrant a big change in stick construction, which would also drive prices of sticks up even more if they add more kevlar.

[bunnyman666 445]

I am certain the debris blunts steels; after all- CF debris deflates Indycar and F1 tyres.

Not enough to warrant a big change in stick construction, which would also drive prices of sticks up even more if they add more kevlar.

One layer of Kevlar is all it would take. Kevlar, being derived from a plant material is cheaper than CF.

[Stewie 721]

Blunts steels? Running over a chip of carbon fiber with your skates is way different than high spend rubber on a rigid cf piece . Broken sticks don't injure significant numbers at any level to warrant the mandate of wood or addition of Kevlar

[JSK81 400]

No matter how much you personally love wood sticks, professional players will certainly not go back using them. Weight, performance and consistency are way better with composites.

[Stewie 721]

Not to mention the entire hockey industry would be pretty pissed off, you don't want to lose sponsors

[bunnyman666 445]

I am not even against composite sticks, you just see a lot more broken composite sticks in weird places. Gretzky isn't a fan of them at all. I can take them or leave them. But shots are a LOT harder with composites, I admit.

[flip12 717]

I see these composite sticks turning up in shreds

Does this happen? I've never seen a stick break like that.

[bunnyman666 445]

Does this happen? I've never seen a stick break like that.

Maybe this doesn't happen. I have seen enough carbon splinters whilst testing to destruction (how many cycles until destroyed) that it makes me believe. Maybe something in the epoxy matrix prevents that on hockey sticks. I need to look at some broken twigs some time.

I'd love it if any of you could post pix of broken composite hockey sticks.

[flip12 717]

testing to destruction (how many cycles until destroyed) that it makes me believe. Maybe something in the epoxy matrix prevents that on hockey sticks. I need to look at some broken twigs some time.

I'd love it if any of you could post pix of broken composite hockey sticks.

What are you testing on? It sounds like maybe it's an issue that's been addressed by stick manufacturers and probably league standards. The only composite shaft I ever broke was Kevlar wrapped, so it made a clean break around the graphite core, but the Kevlar held it together. I do miss the old Kevlar wrapped shafts, but I think it's just my personal nostalgia/not feeling any need to upgrade my twig. I can see why newer sticks have their appeal sell though.

[bunnyman666 445]

What are you testing on? It sounds like maybe it's an issue that's been addressed by stick manufacturers and probably league standards. The only composite shaft I ever broke was Kevlar wrapped, so it made a clean break around the graphite core, but the Kevlar held it together. I do miss the old Kevlar wrapped shafts, but I think it's just my personal nostalgia/not feeling any need to upgrade my twig. I can see why newer sticks have their appeal sell though.

It may very well be addressed by league standards.

My testing equipment was very crude, mainly a series of pumps and such, simulating the loads on bicycle frames and other parts that I would build. I had engineering students set up these jigs. As part of a non-compete agreement, I had to sell my equipment or destroy it.

If there are no appreciable shards, then it is taken care of in the epoxy matrix; therefore a problem that virtually doesn't exist. There are a few things that can be done in the epoxy and pre-preg that can address the splinter issues, I'm certain.

This is my version of saying that I stand corrected. I still want to see pix of your broken sticks. Thanks.

[Miseaujeu 291]

He and Marleau were the holdouts, and I believe Marleau switched out too.

Yes, Smyth is using a composite blade with a wood look.

I know my credibility will be shot after this, but we are talking about Smyth...the greatest equipment weirdo of our generation.

It's confirmed, he has gone back to a wood blade for the start of this season.

I need a shower.

[jisatsu 4]

I don't know why any professional player would use a wood stick. They break so much more easier than composites. The blades wear way faster, and they were heavy as all get out. And for those who don't remember using aluminum and composite shafts with wood blades, they sucked too! Talk about blade heavy sticks. It was nice being able to swap blades, but any serious use and those blades wouldn't last very long.

And don't think that the shots would be any softer or slower with a wood stick. Guys were still cranking out hard and fast shots with wood sticks.

[XveritasX 13]

I don't know why any professional player would use a wood stick. They break so much more easier than composites. The blades wear way faster, and they were heavy as all get out. And for those who don't remember using aluminum and composite shafts with wood blades, they sucked too! Talk about blade heavy sticks. It was nice being able to swap blades, but any serious use and those blades wouldn't last very long.

And don't think that the shots would be any softer or slower with a wood stick. Guys were still cranking out hard and fast shots with wood sticks.

The select players that do use wood blades use them primarily because they have been using them all their life and are comfortable with them, plus durability isn't as big of a concern since they don't have to pay for equipment. I remember a video of when Spezza used wooden sticks, he said we often would use more than one a period to make sure he was using a fresh stick. The majority of these players aren't really shooters either.

I agree that the high end velocity of shots haven't really changed, I do think composite sticks have increased the avg shot speed though. By that I mean it is easier to get a faster shot out of less power/wind up.

[Durbo20vT 4]

Didn't Stasny use wood up until recently?

[XveritasX 13]

Didn't Stasny use wood up until recently?

He did up until a couple of years ago.