How to Pick a Curve

[2nhockey 21]

Getting geared up for the upcoming season and my daughter decided she'd like to try a new curve.  She is a forward and has played slmost entirely with a Zetterberg curve (Warrior stick). 

Briefly last year she worked with a CCM Crosby curve but the blade of that stick really didn't last that long and she went back to her Warrior stick.

I just bought her a new Yakupov (Warrior, again) stick. She is concerned that she will now shoot everything too high, but she's excited to get on the ice Thursday and try it out. Someone suggested she go with a Pacioretti (Warrior) curve since she's a forward. She thought that curve looked too wild. She didn't have /doesn't have an opportunity to try it. 

So at a time when it takes very little effort to spend north of $250 on a stick how do you figure out what curve to try? Most of her teammates run some form of a Crosby curve so it doesn't work well for her to just borrow a stick for a practice and see how it goes - most have the same curve, and if they don't, as the second smallest on the team, chances are good the stick won't fit her. And that makes the huge assumption a stick that is not a Crosby curve can be found.

I guess the question is... is there a better way than trial and error to find the right curve?

Thanks!

[IPv6Freely 2082]

Spend less on sticks, first of all. A $90 stick is a lot easier to stomach if she doesn’t like it and unless she’s playing at some elite level you’re just wasting your money anyway. 

That said... yeah, pretty much trial and error. You can definitely try something specific based on the types of situations and shots she’s in during games, but largely it’s going to come down to preference.

[Jamarquan 201]

41 minutes ago, 2nhockey said:

Getting geared up for the upcoming season and my daughter decided she'd like to try a new curve.  She is a forward and has played slmost entirely with a Zetterberg curve (Warrior stick). 

Briefly last year she worked with a CCM Crosby curve but the blade of that stick really didn't last that long and she went back to her Warrior stick.

I just bought her a new Yakupov (Warrior, again) stick. She is concerned that she will now shoot everything too high, but she's excited to get on the ice Thursday and try it out. Someone suggested she go with a Pacioretti (Warrior) curve since she's a forward. She thought that curve looked too wild. She didn't have /doesn't have an opportunity to try it. 

So at a time when it takes very little effort to spend north of $250 on a stick how do you figure out what curve to try? Most of her teammates run some form of a Crosby curve so it doesn't work well for her to just borrow a stick for a practice and see how it goes - most have the same curve, and if they don't, as the second smallest on the team, chances are good the stick won't fit her. And that makes the huge assumption a stick that is not a Crosby curve can be found.

I guess the question is... is there a better way than trial and error to find the right curve?

Thanks!

I'm basically I'm the same boat - I want to try something outside of my current arsenal (P46, P45 and W03) but I don't want to spend ~ 250 on a P02 or whatever else. 

To me the best option is to look around the clearance section. Don't buy the bottom of the line stick if you can avoid it (just my personal preference) but shop around. Hockeygiant is running a 25% off clearance promotion, and Hockeymonkey usually has discounts (their current one ends today but there'll probably be one tomorrow).

16 minutes ago, IPv6Freely said:

Spend less on sticks, first of all. A $90 stick is a lot easier to stomach if she doesn’t like it and unless she’s playing at some elite level you’re just wasting your money anyway. 

That said... yeah, pretty much trial and error. You can definitely try something specific based on the types of situations and shots she’s in during games, but largely it’s going to come down to preference.

True. But don't fall on the mental trap that you need a toe curve just because she's a forward. With technique any curve can work, it's just about what you find comfortable. Take advantage of the opportunity to try new types of sticks - types of builds, brands, kickpoints, etc. I personally would avoid the RBZ line if durability is concerned. 

[2nhockey 21]

This isn't necessarily all about stick costs, though it matters. Even if the sticks cost 'only' $100 after shipping and taxes there is quite a bit of hassle and time in buying and disposing of half a  dozen sticks before finding 'the one', and then getting a backup  found and shipped. Just trying to see if you guys follow any sort of rule of thumb when it comes to curves.

And, yeah, thanks for the tip on the RBZ's but, as part of our stick hassles we have already discovered how fragile they are.

[IPv6Freely 2082]

I know it’s not about price, I’m just saying it’s a lot less costly to find a curve you like if you’re not spending $250 on every mistake.

[puckpilot 312]

For me, I'm lucky my local hockey story has a shooting area to try sticks out. It's not perfect, but it gives me an idea of if I'll like a curve/stick or not. 

Instead of spending money on testing various sticks, IMHO, spend that money on a shooting/skills coach. The more she understands about shooting, the better equipped she'll be to figure out what she likes and adjust to what ever curve comes her way.  

 

[Jamarquan 201]

55 minutes ago, puckpilot said:

For me, I'm lucky my local hockey story has a shooting area to try sticks out. It's not perfect, but it gives me an idea of if I'll like a curve/stick or not. 

Instead of spending money on testing various sticks, IMHO, spend that money on a shooting/skills coach. The more she understands about shooting, the better equipped she'll be to figure out what she likes and adjust to what ever curve comes her way.  

 

True, unfortunately mine doesn't.

[Top Cheddar 6]

Personally I think lie is way more important than curve.  Make sure she is using the right lie (is the tape wear on the botoom of her stick even?). Once you determine the right lie, that will cut your curve options down and it can be a bit less overwhelming to select from all the available curves.  

After that, it`s all preference and not much more can be done than trial and error.  Of course, you may be able to narrow it down depending on playing/shooting style.

Good luck!

[2nhockey 21]

Ah, thanks - never considered lie. As luck would have it her Zetterberg stick is worn pretty even on the bottom and I believe the only other stick Warrior makes with the same lie is the Yakupov. So, her new stick has the same lie, but is a little more open with a more rounded toe. Maybe this stick will be the end of her trials?

[start_today 757]

Not meaning to call out anyone specific here. 

I am forever confused by all the threads about "I bought a stick for my child and..." Seems like if they are old enough to worry about the tech of a stick and design of the blade, they should be picking out their own stick. And, if they aren't worried about that stuff, give them a mid level stick and let them play with it. They'll eventually figure out what they like. They don't need mom or dad fine tuning their game. Let the kids play!!

Kids are way more flexible and adaptable than adults. Give them something that is the correct hand, then get out of the way and let them figure it out. 

[2nhockey 21]

Right. However, given everything has to be mail ordered parents need a start point and maybe some help along the way, since the kids don't have the credit card that opens the door to IW or HM or whatever. Don't know what we don't know, and if we don't know,  as parents, how are we supposed to steer the kids? Definitely not fine tuning, asking where to start.

[hawkeyfan 36]

Now more than ever the amount of curves are being limited by the OEM's.  Look around at the varous makers and see what curves there are...most are selling 4 curves max until you get to the top line sticks, where you will get more curve options (up to 9).

Look at the list and then scratch off any sticks that do not work or are not appealing to your player.

Then look at the closeout section for stick models with curves you may be able to find.  Start there if your playing with curves.  Don't know the age of your skater, but going to a 2 piece set-up allows you to swap out blades.  Watch Ebay for blades that get posted...if she can play with junior blades, there are plenty to pick up.

 

So you have 2 piece set-up and closeout models to try different curves.  Once your onto buying $250 lightweight sticks, your skater may not want to play with anything else, so be careful there...I myself like a little more heft, but not too much (460-475g) seems the perfect to me

[flip12 699]

Blades are still in the mix. In my opinion, a slight drop in ultimate performance by getting a two piece stick instead of a one-piece is more than worth it if it means you can find a curve that works. BASE offers a ton of blade options. Once you know which blade works best, considering both lie and curve, then spring for the expensive one-piece version of the same. Otherwise, get the shaft and blade that fits and if one doesn't work out, it's much more cheaply replaced.

[colins 246]

19 hours ago, 2nhockey said:

Right. However, given everything has to be mail ordered parents need a start point and maybe some help along the way, since the kids don't have the credit card that opens the door to IW or HM or whatever. Don't know what we don't know, and if we don't know,  as parents, how are we supposed to steer the kids? Definitely not fine tuning, asking where to start.

 

The W28 and any of the other brand *28 toe curves are at the extreme end of the performance curve (pun intended?). I wouldn't recommend them for someone just feeling out what curve they prefer. They are for specialist shooter use and not generalist all-around skills development. The Zetterberg P88 is a much better general purpose all-around curve. The PM9 is maybe better again for someone trying to learn all the skills necessary to be proficient at the game - forehand, backhand, passing, shooting - the PM9 doesn't make any of these skills hard to development as it's very neutral in every regard.

If your daughter is more advanced and decided that her shot is more important to her, and she wants to try to specialize in that area, then the first step beyond the P88/W88 would be a W03/P92 (practically the same curve) or P14. Either of these 3 have "top shelf" specialty due to their deep pocket and open toe nature without being as extreme as the *28 patterns. That is, she can still manage backhands and passes and receive a puck without too much trouble compared to her W88 if she tries one of these curves instead of jumping to the W28.

colins

*My opinion only as a old school 40+ year old rec player and former minor hockey player with two kids now playing Major Midget (and way too many Intermediate and Senior sticks in my basement to want to add up the total dollars spent on OPS over the past ten years).

[jazz4all 9]

+1 on PM9 or maybe like warrior vanek. And also 2 piece stick is way to go rather than 1 piece until she know the best curve for her. Btw dont forget about her position when playing. 

[hawkeyfan 36]

Note...If she can play a junior stick...Ice Warehouse has a number of Warrior Junior Shafts and blades (old AK27)  that they have online at this time

[Lavaboii 0]

I'm someone who grew up using the P88/W88 (Zetterberg) pattern and wasn't completely satisfied with it as a forward. In college I began working at a hockey shop and had a chance to try out several different curves. I tried out Bauer's P92, P14, PM9, and P28 and ended up sticking with the P28. The PM9 was just awful IMO as a forward.. It's just way too flat and I found control was an issue as well as getting off quick shots with the PM9. I wasn't too fond of the P92 (CCM's Crosby) because of how the heel opened up. I felt like the puck was constantly slipping off of the back of my blade because of how the heel opened up compared to the P88. I did like how the blade shot however. The P14 isn't too bad, it's just kind of a smaller blade. It's tough to find a P14 anymore outside of Bauer as well. And then I got to the P28 and it was everything I was looking for. It took me a couple weeks to really adjust to how it played, but no chance I'm switching again. The P28 has a similar heel to the P88 and I typically handle the puck on my heel so I felt comfortable with the puck on my stick right away. It does have a big toe curve, but I found that pulling off toe drags was much easier than it was with the P88. I had to adjust how I shot the puck, but after I adjusted I feel like I now have a better shot. I typically shot most of my snappers and wristers from heel to toe with the P88. I shoot strictly from the toe now using the P28 and I feel I have a quicker release. Slappers aren't much different comparing the P88 and P28 because of the similar heel

So....In my opinion, try out the P28 and go from there. It's the fastest growing curve in hockey and every brand makes a version of the P28.

[Cavs019 702]

I'd also ignore anyone that says "she's a forward- so she should use X"

Plenty of elite forwards get by with a Lidstrom/P02, and plenty of elite dmen get by with a P28. There are no rules of thumb as far as I'm concerned. 

[start_today 757]

The *28 curves are also the most marketed and hyped curves right now, so it stands to reason that it is the "fastest growing."

If you teach a child to shoot with a blade with an excessive curve or extremely open face, they are going to use it as a crutch. Get some inoffensive mid or gentle heel curve.

Spend less on techy equipment and buy your child 50 pucks and make a place for them to practice shooting.  

[malcb33 95]

15 hours ago, Cavs019 said:

I'd also ignore anyone that says "she's a forward- so she should use X"

Plenty of elite forwards get by with a Lidstrom/P02, and plenty of elite dmen get by with a P28. There are no rules of thumb as far as I'm concerned. 

So you mean the brand marketing has been BS the whole time? But I'm a pure shooter and I need a lightning quick realease so I have to have this stick with this curve because the sign says I do... haha

[215BroadStBullies610 434]

I was in the same boat as @Lavaboii when I was in college. Used P88 throughout my four years and used that curve (and the Modano) for most of hockey leading up to it. By the time I was done with college, I was shooting off the toe and knew that I wanted a change. And now, after using the all-but-extinct P46, I currently use the E/P28. The point is that I didn't start with the '28 curve. If I had a kid(s), I'd have them start on the P09 curve. If he/she is serious about hockey, proper technique will be most important. Figuring out a curve should be left to the player during the maturation of one's skill.

[Cosmic 178]

CCM P30 in a mid to low cost stick. It is only on the new line of Tacks and soon-to-be-released Trigger and RBZ lines.

[tvuollo 21]

Bauer P92, CCM P29, Warrior W03, Easton E3. The most common blade in every budget stick I've ever seen. To me it has been the "standard/normal" blade for over 10 years and everyone I know here in Finland has started with that.

[IPv6Freely 2082]

I think that's a good suggestion. It's kind of like choosing a hollow. Start with 1/2" and adjust for preferences. 

As for the ridiculous toe curves... I would agree they are a bit of a crutch, but man they can be fun sometimes. I wouldn't want it as a primary but always a fun club to have in the bag, so to speak. 

[asgoodasdead 74]

On 8/21/2017 at 6:03 PM, start_today said:

Not meaning to call out anyone specific here. 

I am forever confused by all the threads about "I bought a stick for my child and..." Seems like if they are old enough to worry about the tech of a stick and design of the blade, they should be picking out their own stick. And, if they aren't worried about that stuff, give them a mid level stick and let them play with it. They'll eventually figure out what they like. They don't need mom or dad fine tuning their game. Let the kids play!!

Kids are way more flexible and adaptable than adults. Give them something that is the correct hand, then get out of the way and let them figure it out. 

seriously. i've picked out every single stick i ever played with since i started playing at age 8.