CHL/European-spec sticks?

[MrData 93]

I've been reading about a certain CHL or European specification for sticks that is different from the NHL specs. So far, I've heard that the Easton ST, Reebok 9k, and Reebok 18k are 'CHL-spec' or 'CHL preferred.' What does this specification entail? What other sticks are CHL spec?

[AIREAYE 248]

Built tougher, greater durability for budget-conscious clubs or clubs who just don't want their players chewing through the top-end sticks. The new RBZ100 as well as the Easton M5 (I and II) are the same way. The trend is the pricepoint right below the top showing these qualities.

[Neo5370 132]

I betcha regardless of what the specs actually are, folks are gonna have to have it even if they can't flex it.

[AIREAYE 248]

I betcha regardless of what the specs actually are, folks are gonna have to have it even if they can't flex it.

Why is that?

[Cavs019 710]

He's implying that people go ga-ga over pro stock items even when most of the time they are probably not the right flex/skate size/etc.

[JSK81 400]

TotalOne and NXG also have the SE versions. Easton has a stick called Mako Elite which is a Mako shaft with a reinforced blade, used by SM-liiga players for example.

[Neo5370 132]

Exactly Cavs. Unless you're buying Kessel pro-stocks, you're probably looking at flexes in the 90-110 range at full length. This might be fine for an NHL'er - i.e. person who is paid MILLIONS of dollars because he is a genetic freak AND has nothing to do all day but practice hockey at a pro pace and work out, and access to top notch medical staff, nutritionists, trainers, and strength coaches.....and y'all mean to tell me that ALL OF A SUDDEN, as soon pro-stocks become available on hockeymonkey, Ed, who plays left wing on your line at thurs night hockey, who has 2.5 kids, and a 9-5 is gonna automatically get some awesome whip out of piece of rebar, which he has cut 4 inches off of because he's 5'10" and not 6'2"? Yeah ok.

[Harv 86]

Exactly Cavs. Unless you're buying Kessel pro-stocks, you're probably looking at flexes in the 90-110 range at full length. This might be fine for an NHL'er - i.e. person who is paid MILLIONS of dollars because he is a genetic freak AND has nothing to do all day but practice hockey at a pro pace and work out, and access to top notch medical staff, nutritionists, trainers, and strength coaches.....and y'all mean to tell me that ALL OF A SUDDEN, as soon pro-stocks become available on hockeymonkey, Ed, who plays left wing on your line at thurs night hockey, who has 2.5 kids, and a 9-5 is gonna automatically get some awesome whip out of piece of rebar, which he has cut 4 inches off of because he's 5'10" and not 6'2"? Yeah ok.

[adam14 182]

Exactly Cavs. Unless you're buying Kessel pro-stocks, you're probably looking at flexes in the 90-110 range at full length. This might be fine for an NHL'er - i.e. person who is paid MILLIONS of dollars because he is a genetic freak AND has nothing to do all day but practice hockey at a pro pace and work out, and access to top notch medical staff, nutritionists, trainers, and strength coaches.....and y'all mean to tell me that ALL OF A SUDDEN, as soon pro-stocks become available on hockeymonkey, Ed, who plays left wing on your line at thurs night hockey, who has 2.5 kids, and a 9-5 is gonna automatically get some awesome whip out of piece of rebar, which he has cut 4 inches off of because he's 5'10" and not 6'2"? Yeah ok.

I'd be willing to wager that 85 flex is the most popular flex rating in the nhl.

[Neo5370 132]

I'd be willing to wager that 85 flex is the most popular flex rating in the nhl.

There ya go. That just proves my point even further. If a professional hockey player is using an even lower flex than you, then you're doing it wrong.

[AIREAYE 248]

Nah, the way I see it, $200/right below the top won't be and has never been a popular pricepoint. As one could easily score a clearance top end and/or prostock sticks for that price or less. While I agree with you neo about the pro stock fascination, I'm thinking it won't apply to these sticks because essentially, they are not pro stock.

JSK, my shop got a bunch of those APX SEs and Mako Elites in. Great options for higher end players who go through a lot of sticks.

[adam14 182]

There ya go. That just proves my point even further. If a professional hockey player is using an even lower flex than you, then you're doing it wrong.

This might be the most irrelevant post I've ever read, Brett hull used a 75 flex, so does that mean I should be in the junior flex range? Matt duchesne uses 110 flex so where should I compare to that? Everybody is built differently has different mechanics when it comes to shooting and prefer different kick points affecting how stiff a stick feels. Just because a pro is using something in no way does that mean that because of that the every day beer leaguer or a jr player should choose his options based off that.

[zachary 2]

This might be the most irrelevant post I've ever read, Brett hull used a 75 flex, so does that mean I should be in the junior flex range? Matt duchesne uses 110 flex so where should I compare to that? Everybody is built differently has different mechanics when it comes to shooting and prefer different kick points affecting how stiff a stick feels. Just because a pro is using something in no way does that mean that because of that the every day beer leaguer or a jr player should choose his options based off that.

He does have a point. Alot of kids/people believe they need 100+ flex because if it's lower it's not macho. I tried to find players with the same build as me and see what flex and such they are using and try to incorporate it into mine and test it. I found my perfect flex is 80 cut down to about 56-58 inches from heel to butt end. So it plays at about an 85 or so. James Neal and Cal Clutterbuck are pretty close to my size (5'10" 200lbs) and they both use 80 flex as well. It suites my preference for an easy loading stick but still stiff enough that it doesn't take away from my slapshots.

[adam14 182]

For sure, but saying that because a pro weighs more than I do and uses the same flex as me, therefore I must be wrong is totally far fetched.

[Neo5370 132]

For sure, but saying that because a pro weighs more than I do and uses the same flex as me, therefore I must be wrong is totally far fetched.

I never mentioned anything about weight in my original post, I mentioned things like physical strength and skill and tremendous resources a pro has to augment those attributes which most amateurs don't have, but if you wanna go ahead and believe you can get as much out of whatever flex you use as whatever your favorite pro does, you're probably wrong. Furthermore, regarding your example involving brett hull and matt duchene, you're using two opposites extremes of the spectrum to prove the middle of the bell curve doesn't exist. They are outliers and there is usually always an exception the rule.

[adam14 182]

I agree they were far fetched, and by no means do I use the same flex as my favourite player. At 6'2 180 my sticks tend to be on the longer end of the spectrum, and I feel comfortable with my mechanics and my shot when I use an 85 flex. No doubt in my mind I don't get as much out of my sticks as a pro does, that's why he's a pro and I just finished my last season of tier 2 jr. All I'm trying to say is that at the end of the day it's all personal preference, same as curves. I'll be the first person to admit that my shot technique is flawed as I tend to shoot off the toe, however I've managed to fine tune it and it works. Just because a guy in the show uses a heel curve doesn't mean I'm going to. Hockey doesn't work like that.

[Neo5370 132]

I can agree w that.

[hellaavangard 33]

I have a buddy that played for the Brahmas last season that hated his CHL spec "Mako"... liked the Warrior Evo's he was able to get though.

[AIREAYE 248]

Wait, does CHL in this instance stand for Canadian Hockey League (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) or the Central Hockey League?

[Zjack38 46]

Canadian hockey league, their used to be a central states hockey league, but now that's the NA3HL. I don't know if there is a central hockey league though. If so I've never heard of it.

[hellaavangard 33]

Wait, does CHL in this instance stand for Canadian Hockey League (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) or the Central Hockey League?

I was guessing that CHL spec meant Central Hockey League in this case, may have been mistaken though. My friend in question said that the sticks/shafts they were issued were bad, had the Mako paint job but felt unresponsive and much stiffer than their listed rating

[MrData 93]

I was guessing that CHL spec meant Central Hockey League in this case, may have been mistaken though. My friend in question said that the sticks/shafts they were issued were bad, had the Mako paint job but felt unresponsive and much stiffer than their listed rating

I believe they're talking about the Canadian Hockey League when they say "CHL-spec" or "CHL preferred." Thanks for the responses everyone.

So I'm guessing some current extra-durable "CHL-spec" or "Euro-spec" sticks would be: Supreme One.9, Vapor X7.0, Ribcor 25k, Sickick 18k, Velocity V5E, etc? Basically every stick below the top-end price point? I don't get why they don't just make their top-end sticks this durable. Is it because it takes away some performance? Or maybe they just want people breaking sticks and buying new ones?

[AIREAYE 248]

Not every stick, a lot of them though. The One.9 or X7.0 doesn't count. Bauer's Euro spec sticks are listed in the catalog as specially designated top end sticks,