Help Choosing a Hockey Stick

[xracer4844 5]

I have just started playing hockey again after a few years off. The stick I'm using now is a Nike/Bauer Vapor Team Canada Edition Lindros blade 87 flex (which is now named after Patrick Kane?)

I play defense. I have a better wrist shot and snap shot than I do slap shot - which I'm trying to improve. I looked at the apx2 which i loved but it's a little bit pricey.

I looked at the sher-wood t100 which looks nice - the price is a lot nicer too. I also looked at the Graf sticks but didn't know which one to look at and choose.

Curious what you guys think.

[chrisehyoung 14]

I will asume you are in Canada given the stick. I happened across a great deal on a Miken Vicious 3.0 recently that usually retails for $169 but eas marked down to $45 for the sale. Lightest stick I have ever owned. Very responsive stick handling and passing but not quite as nice a shooting stick as my CCM RBZ. FWIW the Miken was a steal at that price and gets you a great stick that won't break the bank.

[xracer4844 5]

i am from canada - toronto area. i have never even heard of Miken. interesting - where do you purchase them? I've never come across them before and it appears they are located in caledonia which is very close.

[AIREAYE 248]

They don't make hockey gear anymore.

If you're in Toronto, there's no excuse going around and seeing what's on sale and available. Pick them up and move them around, tangibility and feel is key.

[romdj 26]

you may want to hurry for mikens, they stopped their production, so you won't get new ones, even though the later editions are really good sticks

[chrisehyoung 14]

I bought mine at National Sports. I guess i'll have to go back and find some more at the sale price if I can. I'll check tomorrow.

[mjpisat 36]

Warrior dynasty ax1 or warrior dt1 on close out. Places like hockey monkey and hockey giant are closing them out for $200 and under plus offer 15 - 20% off coupons.

[louierev07 31]

Warrior dynasty ax1 or warrior dt1 on close out. Places like hockey monkey and hockey giant are closing them out for $200 and under plus offer 15 - 20% off coupons.

What's the difference between the two?

[Amiroo39 121]

I have just started playing hockey again after a few years off. The stick I'm using now is a Nike/Bauer Vapor Team Canada Edition Lindros blade 87 flex (which is now named after Patrick Kane?)

I play defense. I have a better wrist shot and snap shot than I do slap shot - which I'm trying to improve. I looked at the apx2 which i loved but it's a little bit pricey.

I looked at the sher-wood t100 which looks nice - the price is a lot nicer too. I also looked at the Graf sticks but didn't know which one to look at and choose.

Curious what you guys think.

The sherwood is a great stick at an even better price. Are you more into a mid-kick stick or lower kick point stick? If you go to SportCheck, you should be able to find some high end sticks from a year back on close out prices.

[Top_Jimmy 0]

Look at a 77 flex. Good for your snap shot and wristers. Little more whippy.

If you like the pattern on your stick now... Stick to what you know.

Find the same brand and pattern.

[CTB 32]

Zetterberg pattern in warrior and E36 in Easton are comparable patterns.

You might also get lucky with some Bauer Vapor X7.0 or APX (previous generation) close outs, although the P88 is a pretty popular pattern so that might be tough to find on clearance.

[xracer4844 5]

The sherwood is a great stick at an even better price. Are you more into a mid-kick stick or lower kick point stick? If you go to SportCheck, you should be able to find some high end sticks from a year back on close out prices.

I play defense so a mid-kick point is probably what I want...correct me if I am wrong but a mid-kick point is a good all around stick - good for slap shots and wrist shots etc. It covers both bases.

[Chadd 916]

I would give the T90 or T100 a shot in the curve and flex of your preference and see what you think of it.

[tvaughan4 16]

Warrior dynasty ax1 or warrior dt1 on close out. Places like hockey monkey and hockey giant are closing them out for $200 and under plus offer 15 - 20% off coupons.

When is the new dynasty coming out?

[Amiroo39 121]

I play defense so a mid-kick point is probably what I want...correct me if I am wrong but a mid-kick point is a good all around stick - good for slap shots and wrist shots etc. It covers both bases.

Yeah I'd say go with the sherwood if the price is right, I've heard great things about these twigs.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Agree with Chadd, T90 or T100

Tough to beat it for the price right now. The materials/build quality/durability are fantastic.

[xracer4844 5]

Agree with Chadd, T90 or T100

Tough to beat it for the price right now. The materials/build quality/durability are fantastic.

Do either of you have have these sticks? I think I'm leaning towards these two.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I have the T100. It's a bit stiff for me, but it is a quality stick. Great puck feel, lightweight, and still looks new.

[xracer4844 5]

I have the T100. It's a bit stiff for me, but it is a quality stick. Great puck feel, lightweight, and still looks new.

What flex are you using? Are they a stiffer than normal stick? I currently am using an 87 flex which I find a little stiff but any stick I've held in the store that is in the 70's area I find very very easy to load and I'm worried after a few slap shots I might break the thing.

[Chadd 916]

What flex are you using? Are they a stiffer than normal stick? I currently am using an 87 flex which I find a little stiff but any stick I've held in the store that is in the 70's area I find very very easy to load and I'm worried after a few slap shots I might break the thing.

If it doesn't break on the first one, it shouldn't break after a few. You may find that you need to adjust your slapshot mechanics with a lighter flex since you will need less force to load it. The bonus is that you will be able to get the shot off faster and with less effort.

[xracer4844 5]

If it doesn't break on the first one, it shouldn't break after a few. You may find that you need to adjust your slapshot mechanics with a lighter flex since you will need less force to load it. The bonus is that you will be able to get the shot off faster and with less effort.

Maybe I should try a stick in that flex range,

[kovalchuk71 212]

What flex are you using? Are they a stiffer than normal stick? I currently am using an 87 flex which I find a little stiff but any stick I've held in the store that is in the 70's area I find very very easy to load and I'm worried after a few slap shots I might break the thing.

I have a 75 flex. I find it plays closer to an 80-82. It might be right in your wheel house honestly.

And I agree with Chadd. Whippier doesn't mean "easier to break". As long as you adjust your technique, and really focus on making the stick "do the work" versus powering through your shot, you should be fine.

[xracer4844 5]

I have a 75 flex. I find it plays closer to an 80-82. It might be right in your wheel house honestly.

And I agree with Chadd. Whippier doesn't mean "easier to break". As long as you adjust your technique, and really focus on making the stick "do the work" versus powering through your shot, you should be fine.

thats really good to hear! Is yours standard length as well?

[kovalchuk71 212]

Mine is not. I think I cut 2" off of it. Sher-wood has a "free flex zone" built into their sticks. This means you can cut it 4" without supposedly affecting the flex of the stick.

[chrisehyoung 14]

I use a T80 and a T90 for ball hockey because I got them on a really good sale. They are a 95 flex they say. For the money they are a pretty good stick.