Who do you think is running the show in the hockey stick category?

[60PlusWinger 82]

Just curious to see what people think from experience. Who do you think the leader in the hockey stick category and why? CCM? Bauer? I don't think Easton, Warrior and definitely not True are leaders but that's just me.

[lpgbackups 17]

2000 - 2010 Easton

2010 - 2013 Bauer

2013 - Present CCM

[BucksAway 16]

Warrior is slowly growing

[60PlusWinger 82]

I don't think warrior is even close to CCM/Bauer

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

2000 - 2010 Easton

2010 - 2013 Bauer

2013 - Present CCM

any data to back that up?

[lpgbackups 17]

no data, just experience.

although im sure we could collect data....but even there....market shares dont tell the whole story.

[enis750 48]

I-Dubs did a write up on this based on the playoffs in 2014: http://blog.icewarehouse.com/nhl/stanley_cup_equipment

heres the list of it:

Heres another one based on the top 50 scorer's in the league at that time: http://blog.icewarehouse.com/nhl/mid-playoff-scoring-stick/

[60PlusWinger 82]

That right there is a very small sample size and the only thing they can use to even verify the exact model someone is using is a paint job. The Stanley cup last year for example has Toews using a 1N when he actually uses a G3, Stamkos with an MX3, he is also a G3, Kane with a 1X or APX2 actually being a TotalOne, Brent Seabrook the last I checked was still using a Bauer One95 or C28 stick. Very few guys, even the younger ones are actually using what the stick is painted as, even Jack Eichel with his 1S is actually just an MX3.

[leftwinger37 43]

Are we talking retail or pro here? Two very different animals. I wouldn't sleep on Warrior in either case, though.

Warrior has converted a lot of pros on the strength of their product and service. At the local rink, Warrior offers a lot of bang for the rec player's buck with their mid-range model price points. While they are not on the same scale as the "big two," you have to keep in mind that they have only been in the game for about 10 years. Their brand presence is very strong for a company that still has room to grow and I think that's because the proof is in the pudding.

[60PlusWinger 82]

Warrior needs to step up their durability if they plan to contend. You should see how poorly the HD1s are holding up and I know guys in the retail and College/pro ranks that go through QR1s like tooth picks. I have no faith in Easton or Warrior durability if I'm going to be spending $280 on a new retail stick.

[enis750 48]

That right there is a very small sample size and the only thing they can use to even verify the exact model someone is using is a paint job. The Stanley cup last year for example has Toews using a 1N when he actually uses a G3, Stamkos with an MX3, he is also a G3, Kane with a 1X or APX2 actually being a TotalOne, Brent Seabrook the last I checked was still using a Bauer One95 or C28 stick. Very few guys, even the younger ones are actually using what the stick is painted as, even Jack Eichel with his 1S is actually just an MX3.

do you have a larger or more accurate sample size to share?

you started the topic asking who we thought was "running the show" w/out specifying exact model

nor did you specify retail or Pro

even based on your repaint examples, seems to me that Bauer is still leading the pack

which should answer your question - most guys in the show, including some of the top scorer's, are using some type of Bauer

so, Bauer is "running the show"..... in the show, IMO ;)

I personally think retail would be close to the same

after visiting a bunch of smaller shops as well as chains over the holidays, the racks were overwhelmed w Bauer sticks, then CCM, then the rest

[the_game 452]

I know Enis750 provided actual data and made legitimate points but we all know its Mylec, case closed, lock it up...

[Zac911 317]

Are we talking retail or pro here? Two very different animals. I wouldn't sleep on Warrior in either case, though.

Warrior has converted a lot of pros on the strength of their product and service. At the local rink, Warrior offers a lot of bang for the rec player's buck with their mid-range model price points. While they are not on the same scale as the "big two," you have to keep in mind that they have only been in the game for about 10 years. Their brand presence is very strong for a company that still has room to grow and I think that's because the proof is in the pudding.

This. Pro representation vs Retail Sell In and Sell Through are two completely different animals. Just because you see a ton of guys using XYZ in the NHL doesn't mean they are getting sell in and sell through at retail.

[Stryker 37]

For the pro level, I'm sure we could just count the number of stick that are being used. If 30 people did one team of 20 players each, it wouldn't be that much work. Also, repaints are always going to be the same manufacturer, so whether or not they're actually using a 1s stick or whatever, it will for sure be the actual manufacturer under the paint.

At retail, it gets much fuzzier. Market share alone can't be used, because that data is tainted by sales and clearances prices that affect some brands and dont affect other brands. The best way would be to somehow tally all current generation sticks sold off the shelf (not including sales) in the last year. I doubt that data exists across the entire hockey world, but I think it would provide the best data in terms of "who is running the show."

The major drawback to this method involves sticks that aren't booked or available at all hockey stores, so the smaller companies will not have a very large representation (whether correct or not) because they are less available world-wide than the major manufacturers.

[enis750 48]

This is an interesting topic.... I also had some free time this afternoon ;)

So, here's the top 30 goal scorer's in the league as of half an hour ago

I just searched Getty Images and looked at the most recent pictures to determine the stick brand

As you can see, not much has changed from the data from the 2014 playoff's

Bauer still rules the roost I see

Easton seems to be dropping off but CCM & Warrior numbers are increasing

Some interesting points regarding the type of stick, or at least what its painted like. I know this is impossible to actually know, but found it neat. Also found most guys are using same glove brand, as their stick.

Bauer - majority is Nexus 1N stick

CCM - majority is Rekoner

Easton - majority is Stealth CX

Warrior - majority is QR1

[sectachrome 40]

Regarding pro's brand choice, how much of it has to do with their personal preference versus the company paying them to use their products?

In other words, are we looking at what top level players like the best, or which companies have the deepest pockets?

[BucksAway 16]

Warrior - majority is QR1

Really?

I see a lot more HD1 out there then the QR1. I guess your list is just the top 30 scorers though.

[Stryker 37]

Regarding pro's brand choice, how much of it has to do with their personal preference versus the company paying them to use their products?

In other words, are we looking at what top level players like the best, or which companies have the deepest pockets?

And to further compound this, which players are paid to use a stick but would be using it if they were not paid to use it as well?

Preference and sponsorship are not mutually exclusive.

[leftwinger37 43]

Warrior needs to step up their durability if they plan to contend. You should see how poorly the HD1s are holding up and I know guys in the retail and College/pro ranks that go through QR1s like tooth picks. I have no faith in Easton or Warrior durability if I'm going to be spending $280 on a new retail stick.

I have to respectfully disagree with you. First off, top end sicks are built for performance and not durability. I would fully expect players in the collegiate and pro ranks to go through top end sticks on the regular, and they do, regardless of brand. Also, if you are spending $280 on a new retail stick, you're buying something altogether different than what those college and pro players are using.

Secondly, I'm 6'1"/220 lbs and am primarily a slap shot guy. Most of my experience with Warrior is with their fused OPS offerings (Dolomite and Dynasty), but have also deviated from that by trying the Widow and Covert DT1. Out of all of the Warrior sticks I have used, the Widow is the only model that I experienced durability issues with.

[leftwinger37 43]

Regarding pro's brand choice, how much of it has to do with their personal preference versus the company paying them to use their products?

In other words, are we looking at what top level players like the best, or which companies have the deepest pockets?

And to further compound this, which players are paid to use a stick but would be using it if they were not paid to use it as well?

Preference and sponsorship are not mutually exclusive.

Someone can jump in and correct me if they are more informed on the subject, but I don't think a ton of players are paid to endorse brand X, Y, or Z outside of a select few (namely the guys whose name appears next to a blade pattern). I have heard stories about reps offering golf clubs, fishing trips, Vegas comps, etc. in return for for their loyalty, but most pros select a brand based on service and product quality.

Really?

I see a lot more HD1 out there then the QR1. I guess your list is just the top 30 scorers though

Keep in mind that due to the HD1s more muted color palette, a lot of QR1s are repainted so to not clash with team colors as much.

[60PlusWinger 82]

This is not just regarding collegiate athletes this is from the retail sector as well regarding warrior. Retail or pro stock warrior durability is sub par at best regardless of who's using them.

[enis750 48]

Someone can jump in and correct me if they are more informed on the subject, but I don't think a ton of players are paid to endorse brand X, Y, or Z outside of a select few (namely the guys whose name appears next to a blade pattern). I have heard stories about reps offering golf clubs, fishing trips, Vegas comps, etc. in return for for their loyalty, but most pros select a brand based on service and product quality.

Keep in mind that due to the HD1s more muted color palette, a lot of QR1s are repainted so to not clash with team colors as much.

I have read this as well too

not many guy get paid to endorse a certain brand in hockey like they do in say golf (just as an example)

but I really have no experience in this, Im sure someone here can chime in w some better info

[Zac911 317]

I have read this as well too

not many guy get paid to endorse a certain brand in hockey like they do in say golf (just as an example)

but I really have no experience in this, Im sure someone here can chime in w some better info

I'd love to contribute more on this, but I suppose I just don't care for all the back and forth.

Bottom line if the players in the room like you then you are generally ahead of the game. You need to be a good rep and make sure your players are never left hanging and that your phone is always on.

There's always money involved. Whether it's golf clubs for dad and little brother or lulu lemon gift cards for the girl friends and wives... This is just part of the game.

It's not always about who has the best product. All those graphs and charts don't tell the whole story. I wouldn't get too excited about it. Find a stick you like and stick with it. Not because of what you see on TV or a chart.

[BucksAway 16]

This is not just regarding collegiate athletes this is from the retail sector as well regarding warrior. Retail or pro stock warrior durability is sub par at best regardless of who's using them.

Do you have statistics to prove this? Sounds to me like you have had a poor experience with Warrior or are simply assuming.

[60PlusWinger 82]

I'm not assuming anything. I've worked for a Warrior school and saw first hand how fragile they were and how the same problems didn't occur with those in CCM or Bauer. I have plenty of first hand experience on the rec side of things and if you are going to try and defend Warrior durability at any level, novice or advanced/professional compared to CCM or Bauer you're running up hill. You can use the warrior vip hd1 thread for reference on sports2k to check out an example of the not professional quality review.