Ultimate Guide to Goalie Stick Sizing: Mastering the Perfect Fit for Optimal Performance

How to measure for the correct goalie stick size. What factors influence goalie stick selection. Why is proper goalie stick sizing crucial for performance. How to choose the right goalie stick pattern and flex. What are the key considerations when fitting a goalie stick.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Proper Goalie Stick Sizing

Selecting the right goalie stick size is a critical aspect of a goaltender’s equipment setup that often goes overlooked, especially for younger players. The correct stick length plays a vital role in maintaining proper stance and overall performance on the ice. Let’s delve into the key factors that make goalie stick sizing so crucial.

Impact on Goalie Stance

A well-fitted goalie stick allows the netminder to maintain an optimal stance, which is fundamental for quick and efficient movement in the crease. When the stick is the right length, it enables the goalie to keep their blocker aligned with their leg pad without overlapping, ensuring proper positioning and balance.

Influence on Puck Control

The length of the paddle, which is the thicker part of the goalie stick, significantly affects the goaltender’s ability to control the puck. A properly sized stick facilitates better puck handling, passing, and shooting â€“ skills that have become increasingly important for modern goaltenders.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sizing a Goalie Stick

To ensure you select the perfect goalie stick, follow these essential steps:

Wear goalie skates for accurate measurements
Assume the proper goaltending stance
Position the stick 8-12 inches in front of your toes
Check the alignment of your blocker with your leg pad
Ensure the stick’s heel remains on the ice in your stance

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

Are you making these common goalie stick sizing errors? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Blocker overlapping the leg pad (stick too short)
Large gap between blocker and leg pad (stick too long)
Stick’s heel lifting off the ice in normal stance (too short)
Stick’s toe lifting off the ice in normal stance (too long)

Understanding Goalie Stick Patterns

The pattern of a goalie stick refers to two crucial elements: the curve of the blade and the lie of the stick. These factors significantly impact a goaltender’s ability to play the puck effectively.

Blade Curve Types

Goalie stick blade curves are classified based on two primary attributes:

Curve starting point: Mid or Heel
Face positioning: Open or Closed

Mid curves typically offer better puck control around the net but may make it slightly more challenging to elevate the puck. Heel curves, especially open ones, excel at clearing the puck high off the glass but can be trickier for close-quarters puck handling.

Stick Lie Explained

The lie of a goalie stick refers to the angle between the paddle and the blade when the stick is flat on the ice. This angle affects the position of the blocker in relation to the leg pad when the goalie is in their stance.

Lie 13: Positions the blocker farther from the body
Lie 14: Provides a mid-level position
Lie 15: Brings the blocker closer to the body

Choosing the correct lie is crucial as it impacts not only stance but also shooting technique and puck redirection.

Selecting the Right Flex for Your Goalie Stick

Stick flex refers to the amount of bend in the shaft when force is applied. This characteristic plays a significant role in a goalie’s ability to pass and shoot the puck effectively.

The Science Behind Stick Flex

When a player shoots, the hockey stick bends, storing energy like a spring. As the stick straightens, it releases this energy, propelling the puck forward. Stiffer sticks are harder to flex but release more energy, making them suitable for stronger players. More flexible sticks are easier to bend but release less energy, benefiting younger or less powerful shooters.

Matching Flex to Player Strength

How do you choose the right flex for your goalie stick? Consider these factors:

Player’s age and strength
Shooting and passing frequency
Personal preference for puck feel

Stronger goalies may prefer stiffer sticks for more powerful shots, while younger players might opt for more flexible options to improve their shooting technique.

The Evolution of Goalie Stick Technology

Goalie sticks have come a long way from their wooden predecessors. Modern sticks incorporate advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance performance and durability.

Composite vs. Wood: Pros and Cons

Composite goalie sticks offer several advantages over traditional wooden models:

Lighter weight for improved maneuverability
Consistent flex properties throughout the stick’s lifespan
Better energy transfer for improved puck control and shot power

However, wooden sticks still have their place, offering a more traditional feel and often a lower price point for budget-conscious players.

Innovations in Blade Construction

Recent advancements in blade technology have focused on improving puck feel and durability. Some notable innovations include:

Foam-core blades for enhanced puck control
Reinforced blade edges to resist wear and tear
Textured blade surfaces for improved grip on the puck

Maintaining Your Goalie Stick for Longevity

Proper care and maintenance of your goalie stick can significantly extend its lifespan and preserve its performance characteristics.

Essential Maintenance Tips

Follow these guidelines to keep your goalie stick in top condition:

Dry the stick thoroughly after each use to prevent warping
Inspect the blade regularly for damage or wear
Apply fresh tape to the blade before each game or practice
Store the stick in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Consider using a stick weight during off-ice training to maintain strength and technique

When to Replace Your Goalie Stick

How do you know when it’s time to retire your trusty goalie stick? Look out for these signs:

Visible cracks or splits in the shaft or blade
Significant loss of stiffness or responsiveness
Warping or deformation of the blade
Reduced puck feel or control during play

Customizing Your Goalie Stick for Optimal Performance

Many professional and advanced amateur goaltenders customize their sticks to suit their individual playing styles and preferences.

Popular Customization Options

Consider these customization techniques to enhance your goalie stick:

Adding grip tape to the shaft for improved control
Modifying the blade curve for personalized puck handling
Adjusting the lie angle for a perfect fit with your stance
Applying protective coatings to increase durability

The Pros and Cons of Stick Customization

While customization can offer performance benefits, it’s essential to weigh the advantages against potential drawbacks:

Pros:

Tailored feel and performance
Improved confidence in equipment
Potential for enhanced puck control and shooting accuracy

Cons:

May void manufacturer warranties
Risk of compromising stick integrity if done incorrectly
Potential difficulty in adapting to new sticks in the future

The Role of Goalie Sticks in Modern Gameplay

As the game of hockey evolves, so does the importance of a goaltender’s ability to handle the puck effectively. Modern goalies are often considered the “third defenseman” on the ice, actively participating in breakouts and transitions.

Impact on Defensive Strategies

A goalie’s proficiency with their stick can significantly influence team defensive strategies:

Quicker transitions from defense to offense
Reduced pressure on defensemen during opposing team’s forecheck
Ability to disrupt opponent’s dump-and-chase tactics

Developing Stick Skills for Goalies

To maximize the benefits of proper goalie stick selection, netminders should focus on developing these key skills:

Accurate passing to teammates
Puck clearance techniques
Stick positioning for shot blocking
Poke checking and puck disruption
Shooting techniques for long-distance empty-net opportunities

By honing these skills and selecting the right goalie stick, modern goaltenders can significantly contribute to their team’s overall performance and success on the ice.

Goalie Stick Sizing | Pure Goalie

Finding a goalie’s correct stick length is crucial, though its importance is often overlooked with younger goaltenders. When measuring for the correct size, remember that the length of the paddle (the thicker part of the goal stick) is the most important feature.

The right paddle length helps the goalie maintain a proper stance. The paddle must be long enough so that when the goalie is in the proper stance with their knees bent and stick flat on the ice 8″ to 12″ in front of their toes, the blocker is aligned with the leg pad and is not overlapping the leg pad.

To properly fit a goalie stick, follow these simple steps:

1. Put on goalie skates if at all possible. Street shoes won’t accurately simulate playing conditions, and your fitting will not be accurate.

2. Have the goalie get in a stance position as if he/she was playing – knees bent, hands in front of the body, stick 12″ from the skates.

A perfectly fit stick will place the goalie’s blocker next to his or her leg pad, as shown in the picture to the right.

The stick is too short if the blocker overlaps the leg pad, or if the heel of the stick comes off of the ice in a normal stance position.

The stick is too big if there is a large gap between the blocker and the leg pad, or if the toe of the stick comes off the ice in a normal stance position.

CHOOSING A GOALIE STICK PATTERN

Given today’s emphasis on goalies playing the puck, it is more important than ever to consider the blade pattern of the goalie stick. Don’t just purchase the lightest, cheapest stick on the rack—know your individual needs and style, and purchase a stick based on these attributes.

The “Pattern” of a stick describes two elements: the curve of the blade and the lie of the stick.

1. CURVE

The curve is based on two different attributes: where the curve begins in the stick (“Mid” or “Heel”), and how the face of the blade is positioned, moving from the heel of the stick to the toe of the stick (“Open” or “Closed”). Understanding these options and their merits will help you make the best purchasing decision.

Curve Pattern Descriptions:

Mid Curve – curvature begins in the middle of the blade.
Heel Curve – curvature starts at the heel of the blade.
Open Curve – blade flares open as the curve approaches the toe (think of a wedge in golf).
Closed Curve – blade stays more flat throughout the curve (think of a 3-iron in golf).

As a general rule, sticks with a mid curve make it easier to play the puck but a bit more challenging to shoot the puck higher.

Sticks with a more open curve, especially an open heel curve, make it easy to clear a puck high off of the glass but a bit harder to play around the net.

BEGINNING GOALIES should start with a MID curve and then adjust from here, if necessary, based on their style.

2. STICK LIE

The lie of the stick describes the location of the paddle when the stick blade is flat on the ice. Generally, we advise that the blocker be just to the side of, and not overlapping, the leg pad when the goalie is in his/her stance. Depending on their stance, goalies may need to purchase a stick that has a lower (13) or higher (15) lie.

Choosing the proper stick lie is critically important, as it affects more than just the blocker board position in the goalie’s stance. Shooting, directing the puck upon impact, etc., are all affected by the stick lie. Therefore, it is important that the goalie wear his/her skates when picking a new stick to ensure an accurate fit.

Lie 13: Places the blocker board farther away from the body with the stick blade flat on the ice.

Lie 14: Mid-level lie

Lie 15: Places the blocker board closer to the body with the stick blade flat on the ice.

NOTE: Lie measurement only applies to sticks with a flat blade bottom. Sticks with a curved or rockered blade bottom have no lie listed.

CONSIDERING FLEX WHEN BUYING A STICK

Stick flex is a measure of how flexible or how stiff a hockey stick is when a force is applied to it. Again, since passing and shooting the puck have become critical skills for today’s goalies, it’s important that the goalie choose a stick flex that best fits his or her needs.

When a player takes a shot, the hockey stick bends—which essentially turns the hockey stick into a spring that stores energy. When the spring is released (when the stick unbends and returns to straight), the energy is released and accelerates the puck.

“Stiff” sticks are harder to flex, but the energy released when the stick returns to form is greater. For this reason, stronger or heavier players may wish to use a stick with a stiff flex. Younger or weaker shooters will not be able to take advantage of the energy recoil of stiff sticks because they can’t bend them in the first place.

More flexible sticks are easier to bend, but they release less energy as the stick recoils. A softer flex therefore makes shooting easier for younger, weaker shooters. Stronger shooters will find that these sticks bend too much and their shooting accuracy suffers.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STICKS?

Goalie sticks come in three different types:

1. WOOD GOALIE STICKS

Wood sticks are typically made of laminated pieces of aspen, ash, or birch, which are covered on the paddle and blade by thin layers of fiberglass for durability and water resistance.

As stick technology has advanced in the last few decades, the demand for wood sticks has decreased. Today’s goalies tend to favor lighter and softer models. Goalies who prefer a more traditional feel, or who are on a budget, will find wood sticks appealing.

2. FOAM CORE GOALIE STICKS

Foam core sticks typically feature a wood shaft with a glass lamination for durability. The paddle and blade are made from a molded urethane, which is then injected with foam and covered with a glass or composite laminate for strength and water resistance. Newer foam core sticks also feature a harder heel insert to keep the heel from premature wear and tear.

The foam inside the paddle and blade provide rigidity and dampen the vibrations that goalies feel when the puck hits the stick. Oftentimes, goalies who use a foam core stick will describe its feel as “soft,” meaning that there is little vibration from puck impact.

Foam core sticks have grown in popularity over the years as they combine a reasonable price point, a light weight, a soft feel, and good durability.

3. COMPOSITE GOALIE STICKS

Today’s composite sticks are made from a variety of materials, ranging from fiberglass to graphite to carbon fiber/Kevlar. Like foam core sticks, composite sticks often feature foam core injections for vibration deadening, and they are often wrapped in higher grade synthetic materials like nylon, carbon fiber, or Kevlar, which help promote durability.

Due to the nature of their materials, composite sticks—especially the carbon fiber, Kevlar, and graphite models—tend to be the lightest on the market. Additionally, many of today’s models feature innovative elements including “rubbery” grip zones on the shoulder area, convex or flat paddle profiles (on the side that faces the shots), and contoured paddles that accommodate goalies who like to hold the stick closer to the body.

Composite sticks tend to be the most expensive on the market, though buyers may take some comfort in knowing that many of today’s composites feature a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty.

How to Choose a Goalie Stick – The Stick Guru

Having the right stick could be the difference between a goal and a save. So it is very important to make sure you are using the right one.

What to do first?

The first thing you need to decide on when choosing your stick is what material you want. There are 3 options: Wood, Foam core and Composite. You can learn more about the materials here. Once you have chosen your material its time to get sized up.

When shopping for sticks make sure you bring your skates with you to ensure proper fit

Paddle size
Goalie stick manufacturers measure their paddle lengths differently. The sticks may be measured from the top of the heel (the point before the blade curves) to the top of the paddle, or the bottom of the heel (as if the was squared to the floor) to the top of the paddle. It can get quite annoying if you switch brands. If you have an old stick, bring it with you to see how it compares.

Goalie sticks are a very different matter than player’s sticks. Some principles still apply such as lie, or curve. However there are some categories that aren’t as important to goalies, such as size, or flex. Some popular brands include Bauer, CCM, Reebok, SHERWOOD, Twigz, Christian, and Warrior.

Ensuring a Proper Paddle Height
If you are a younger player, growing into a stick is not always the best option. Not having a proper fitting stick can hurt your game, or stop you from learning correctly. That being said, if you are on the fence about your size, going with a smaller stick is a better option than a larger one.

What does a perfect fitting stick look like?

Below, we see Buffalo Sabres goalie Drew MacIntyre. Notice how his stick blade is pretty flat to the ice, with a slight angle, and his blocker is tucked at the side slightly overlapping his leg pads. The stick is perfect because he’s covering his 5-hole and has the ability to slide the stick on the ice laterally for quick saves and deflections.

So players actually prefer an improper fitting stick. Some goalies may prefer a longer stick for poke check. Lets see an example…

Above we see LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. Jonathan Quick is a very unique example because of his play style. You can see by the photo that he is really scrunched up and gets very low in the net. You can see his stick is very far out in front of him, giving the shooter a large 5-hole to shoot at. His blade is curved very far inwards which could lead a blade save going up and over the blade and into the 5-hole. Lastly you see how his blocker is facing up rather than at the towards the shooter, where as if you look back at Drew MacIntyre, his blocker is square and facing the shooter. Without knowing Quick you may say he will never make saves, but with his lightning fast reaction time he is able to compensate. But why would he use such a long stick when a shorter one will fit his style better? Lets see another example:

Again we see Jonathan Quick at a practice. Look a little different? He is in a more upright position and his stick looks like a proper fit. When the puck is far out, he stand more upright covering more of the net and using his stick to cover his 5-hole. When shooters get in close he can use that extra length for poke checks.

There can be a problem with using a larger stick. In the butterfly, if your legs pads don’t seal together, your 5-hole is slightly exposed. With a longer stick it cant cover that spot. Another issue is if you compensate but squaring your blade to the ice to cover the 5-hole you risk opening up a hole under your arm. like bellow:

Many goalies actually prefer a shorter stick. A shorter stick give you more mobility and is a good balance between stand-up and butterfly. I had the chance to use a Braden Hotlby pro stock stick. Hotlby is 6″1′ and uses a 25 inch paddle. I also use a 25 and I am no where near 6″1′. Goes to show you how the paddle length can greatly vary.

Shaft Height

The next thing to consider is shaft height. You generally want to leave the stick as is, but some players may like it differently. The shaft of you stick should also be tall enough to play the puck comfortably. If you are the type of goalie who really likes to play the puck and the shaft is too long you may shorten your shaft. I do advise against shortening your stick unless absolutely necessary. That extra length can be used for poke checks and emergency saves with the knob.

Carey Price is one of the rare few that shortens his stick. You can see it looks unusually short.

Lie
The next thing you should look at when fitting your goalie stick is the lie, or angle of the blade. Just like player sticks, goalie sticks have different lies, which are generally 13, 14 or 15. The lie is the angle at which the blade meets the paddle. When you have a stick that is the proper lie for you, in your stance, the entire blade (or most of it) will be flush with the ice. If you don’t have the right lie on a stick you will find yourself trying to compensate by moving your blocker hand inward or outward from where you would normally hold it. Keep in mind that lie is a personal preference as to how wide you want your blocker hand to be. Make sure you are wearing your skates when you do this to ensure you are simulating exactly how you will be using the stick on the ice. Also keep in mind that you need to figure out what paddle height you need before you figure out what lie you need. You can play around with different lie’s and paddle heights until you get the perfect fit.

Flex
Your sticks flex is typically not relevant for beginner goalies, however some of you may have a preference. The more skilled you are with playing the puck, you may adjust your proper flex to your needs. Unfortunately the flex is not printed on the stick because it is not usually a selling point. Try it out in the store to see if the flex is comfortable for you. There won’t be anywhere near as much flex as a player’s stick, but you will notice the difference. It also may vary depending on the type of material (i.e. foam, wood or composite). The flex of your stick can aid in shooting [or passing] the puck.

Curves
Believe it or not, curves are important to goalies too. A flatter curve will be easier to control rebounds with, but passing will be somewhat difficult. Alternatively, having more curve may make your rebounds less controllable but passing will be much easier. Those goalies that don’t play the puck as much might like a flatter stick, and those that play the puck a lot might prefer a stick with more curve. Just like player curves there are differences all based on preference. Most of the time the goalie is deflecting pucks and not passing so you have to take that into consideration when choosing a curve.

Once you have your right size you can choose which material is right for you. Learn about them here

Goalie Stick Sizing Chart in 2020

Amongst the hockey fans, there’s always been this age-old question of which brands truly does make the best goalie stick in the market. In the goaltending world, there are Bauer Supreme 2S Pro, Warrior VR1, etc. – lots of great sticks.

However, in today’s discussion, Puck Drawn Hockey is going to take a deeper dive into what qualities make the best stick for a goaltender. As a hockey player, I asked myself that question a lot.

Even as a kid, I was continually asking myself questions like where should I spend my hard-earned money, what’s also worth my time, and is it going to last. So let’s go over: ” How to choose a Hockey Goalie Stick ? Goalie Stick Sizing Chart in 2020 “

Are you a regular goalie or a full right goalie?

One of the first things you got to figure out first is whether you’re one of the regular goalies or a full right goalies. The regular goalie will hold the goalie stick in the right hand and have the catcher in their left hand.

The full right will be the opposite of that so that the stick would be in the left hand and the catcher would be in the right hand, and the full proper setup.

What type of Hockey Goalie Stick do you want?

The next thing you have to figure out is what type of stick you want. So there are several different types out there. There’s the wood stick, the wood stick with a foam core in the paddle and into the blade, and there’s also the composite goalie sticks, which also have the foam core in the paddle and blade.

Wood Goalie Stick

The wood goalie sticks are typically going to be a little bit lower in price. At the same time, they’re also going to offer excellent shot dampening because wood is good at absorbing the shots.

Also, you are going to get the beautiful, traditional wood feels. Probably the most significant advantage of the wood sticks is you can get that nice, old-school feel to the goalie stick.

On the flip side, with the wood sticks, the blade can break down a little bit quicker, especially if you’re playing ice hockey.

The reason is that there tends to be water damage down on the blade. Furthermore, the sticks are also going to be a little bit heavier compared to the other foam core or the composite sticks.

Read more: The best hockey stick grips – Buttendz review

Foam Core Goalie Stick

The next type of stick we’re going to take a look at is the foam core goalie stick. What is unique with these sticks is that they use wood material in the handle, at the shaft area.

They also use a fiberglass lamination almost throughout these goalie sticks. However, the most extraordinary thing is the foam core that runs in the paddle and down into the blade.

These sticks are typically popular at the NHL level because they offer good puck feel and excellent vibration dampening. The one negative feature of this type of stick is that they are going to be a little bit more expensive.

However, they do offer high-level performance, the kind of NHL level performance, so you have to pay a little bit extra to get that high level.

Composite Goalie Stick

The next type of stick we’re going to take a look at is the composite goalie stick. These are typically the lightest sticks on the market today. They also offer some of the latest and most remarkable technologies.

Every year, companies are coming out with new materials to use and new ways to dampen shots a little bit better. As a result, there is always top of the line features on the composite sticks.

Especially, composite goalie sticks can be a little bit more durable down into the blade for ice hockey. The reason is that they do not have wood – the kind of water-damaged material in these. They’re going to be able to withstand a little bit more as far as the water goes.

Turning to the negative side of the composite sticks, because they do offer that new latest and greatest technologies, they are going to be a little bit more expensive. Also, they lack a little bit in the field. You’re not going to get as excellent vibration dampening or puck feel as some foam core sticks as well.

Read more: The best hockey sticks today

Goalie Stick Sizing Chart

What curve are you going to use?

Mid Curve vs. Heel Curve

After you figure out what type of stick you want, the next step is going to be to figure out what curve you’re going to use.

With goalie sticks, there’s two main types of curves: the mid curve and the heel curve. The mid curve is excellent for cradling the puck and giving you great puck control.

The heel curve, on the other hand, is better for passing – so it is excellent for those goalies that like to give their teammates long stretch passes up the ice.

Within the two curves, you’re going to see several different degrees of openness on the curve. As you get a more open curve, that’s going to help to lift the puck a little bit more, which is good for those goalies that like to pass with a little bit of air underneath their passes.

There’s also the closed curve, which helps to keep it down on the ice so you can do those beautiful, hard passes on the ice.

Lie Angle

A secondary thing with the curves is the lie of that curve. So what exactly is the lie? That is the angle that goes from the blade up into the paddle.

Senior or intermediate sticks range from a lie 13 to a lie 15, while the junior or youth sticks range from a lie 11 to a lie 12. As the number gets larger, you’re going to have less angle while as the number gets smaller, you’re going to have more angle.

Read more: Top 3 Lightest Hockey Stick in 2020

To conclude, the most important thing when selecting a goalie stick is to find out that what stick is going to fit your style and help you play the best.

So if you can, go out there and try to get the feels for a couple different types of goalie sticks . Get the feel of the wood, the composite or the foam core and get the one that suits you the best.

Myth Busters #2: Goalie Sticks…. – Hockey Goalie Parents

MythBusters Goalie Edition – Myth # 2 Goalie Stick Myths

It is important for all people to be critical thinkers and push back against conventional wisdom with evidence based new approaches. The goalie stick is subject to many long held beliefs and truisms. After careful examination and well reasoned inputs I can convincingly dispel and put to bed some of them.

Goalie Stick Myth # 1

YOU SHALL NEVER CUT THE SHAFT OF THE STICK AS IT WILL THROW OFF IT’S BALANCE.

This pearl of wisdom is uttered ad nauseam by long term hockey coaches / goalie coaches / sporting goods retailers and “in the know” goalie parents.

It is utterly false and more accurately for this article, a myth.

For young goalies who often struggle with stick discipline having a stick that is a little bottom heavy is actually a good thing. It will make it more likely to stay where it belongs, flat on the ice, centered between their feet.

A goalie stick is not actually truly “balanced” as you would believe to begin with. Try this yourself. Take an uncut stick and try to find the balance point. Hold the stick horizontal to the ground and place it on your extended index finger. You will likely have it balance on your finger on the paddle some where closer to the blade than the grip area. They COME bottom heavy from the factory.

To properly size a goalie stick with respect to the shaft the goalie should stand in their skates and stand the stick up with the toe on the ice and mark the shaft in the chin or mouth area. This is where the stick MUST be cut. Why?

An integral, requisite, oft-ignored goaltending discipline is called puck handling. To do this properly you must have a stick where the over all length is manageable. This will allow the goalie to stick handle, pass and clear the puck with proper power and mechanics.

Parents will complain that their rosebud can’t handle the puck and then I see the 9-year-old smurf with the shaft 4 inches above their forehead. Weird.

Modern Day Proof. Take a look at how short the overall length of Carey Price’s stick is. It is slightly below his chin and he is known as a very adept puck handler. I challenge you to find any elite goalie with a stick shaft way up past their nose when sizing it.

Goalie Stick Myth # 2

TAPE PROTECTS MY STICK BLADE

If tape actually protects your blade from the shock of the puck I have an experiment you can try. Take some hockey tape and cover your forehead as if you were taping a stick. Now take a ball peen hammer and have your sister hit you with a full swing using that hammer directly on the tape on your forehead. How well do you think this tape will protect your brain? (Obviously, this is tongue in cheek, but if you actually try this you win the Darwin Award for February.)

Tape actually serves a few functions. Primarily it is beneficial in imparting spin on a puck when passing, shooting or clearing the puck. Additionally, on wooden sticks it can help keep the blade dry if covered in stick wax or baby powder. This will help prolong the wooden blade since moisture is obviously the enemy of wood, particularly if that moisture freezes while your stick is in your car over night in Canada.

Goalie Stick Myth # 3

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LARGE KNOB

This is actually more of a preference area and many goalies do indeed have a large tape knob on their stick. Forwards never have large knobs on their sticks as the top hand holds the knob in the palm. That allows a lot of wrist flexion and assists in harder shots. Sometimes goalies can improve their shot by going to a smaller knob that better fits in their hand instead of stopping the blocker once it gets to the huge knob. So a large knob is okay, it is just not required as evidenced by the multitude of NHL goalies that don’t use them.

There is one thing many people may not realize about using a larger knob that will allow some goals. When the goalie puts the paddle down on the ice a large knob will keep the shaft high enough off the ground that it will allow a puck to go under it easily. With a moderate sized knob you can muscle the paddle down hard enough to flex the stick and prevent all pucks from squeezing under the shaft while in the paddle down position.

Goalie Stick Myth # 4

THE PADDLE SHOULD FIT YOU IN YOUR BASIC STANCE UP ON YOUR FEET

This myth here is relatively recent and undoubtedly will cause many to spit the bit. But allow me to explain and follow my logic.

In the good old days goalies used their sticks to stop 99% of the flat ice shots with their stick from a standing position. Now read this part slowly using Homer Simpson’s voice, “on a flat ice shot with any velocity 100% of goalies make this stick save DOWN in the butterfly position”

So………..if a goalie makes 100% of low shot stick saves from their butterfly position and almost zero from standing position, what position do you think your paddle should mostly be tailored to? Bingo! From your butterfly.

So when you go into the store, ideally the stick should fit your butterfly not your standing stance. The paddle shouldn’t be so short that when you stand in your stance it is no where near the ice obviously.

When in your butterfly, the stick should be placed flush, slightly tilted back like a 3-iron and there should not be a massive armpit hole on the blocker side. When a goalie fits their stick to a standing stance, often times they have huge blocker armpit goals while butterflying.

At the end of the day, you do whatever you want with your stick. You believe whatever you want about sticks. You are the one who lives and dies by your stick figuratively.

But I leave you with one piece of general advice. Weigh the credibility of the person giving you goalie advice. And then dance with the girl you brought.

Goalie Sticks, Pro Stock, NHL Ice Hockey Goalie Sticks

Pro Stock Goalie Sticks

Pro Stock Hockey carries the same professional goalie sticks that are used by today’s top NHL netminders. We have full right and regular options, for left and right-handed players, offered at paddle heights typically ranging from 25.5 to 29 inches. Whether you’re thinking of going with a composite or wood stick, we have a wide selection of sticks in black, navy blue, royal blue, white or wood color. Our inventory of pro stock goalie sticks includes various brands and styles from NHL teams around the league. Click through our extensive product line above to learn more!

*** 30-DAY GUARANTEE ON ALL STICKS! Click here for details. ***

When it comes to the game of hockey, having the right equipment can make all the difference – especially for goaltenders! We understand this at Pro Stock Hockey because we love the game as much as you do — we play it, watch it and think about it all the time. It’s because of our passion for everything hockey that we believe in offering only the best hockey gear to our customers. All of our equipment is professional-grade hockey gear designed for NHL players, including our pro goalie hockey sticks. Search our stock of products for the perfect goalie stick to suit your needs. We carry sticks of various sizes, styles, materials, curves and colors, not to mention several different brands and team stocks.

When you buy pro stock goalie sticks, here’s what you can expect:

New, Professional Quality: No cheap imitations here! Our goalie sticks are professional quality, designed and made for NHL goalies. You know what you’re getting is authentic, high-quality equipment that’s never been used — although we also offer a small selection of lightly used equipment, too.

Convenient Accessibility Online: Our entire inventory is easy to access online, featuring crisp, attractive photos and detailed specifications that show you exactly what you’re ordering. Our inventory is large, but always changing, so check out what we have for sale under our NHL goalie sticks tab regularly to find your perfect stick.

Rigorous Standards: In order to ensure that all of our goalie sticks are living up to the highest quality standards, we place each item through rigorous inspections. Every stick gets flex-checked through our custom machine so we can be sure you get exactly the flex you want.

Pro Stock Hockey provides the authentic pro stock goalie sticks you need to play at your highest level. Thanks to an incredible selection of quality products and easy online accessibility, we’re proud to be North America’s top resource for pro stock goalie sticks. We offer some of the most competitive prices on the market — usually much lower than retail — so we can give our customers the best value possible!

STAY CONNECTED FOR THE BEST PRICES ON OUR PRO STOCK HOCKEY STICKS

Pro Stock Hockey works directly with NHL teams to offer you the widest possible selection of pro stock hockey sticks. As current and former hockey players ourselves, we strive to offer our customers the lowest possible prices on pro stock sticks from all of the top brands in the industry. In addition to offering everyday low prices, we often feature special sales and roll out new promotional offers to make these already competitively priced sticks even more irresistible.

Want to be the first to hear about a new flash sale or our latest promotion? It’s easy! Just connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Google Plus, or subscribe to our Pro Stock Hockey newsletter. Besides staying informed on special offers, you’ll be among the first to be alerted of new arrivals to inventory, view pictures of the new inventory, read interesting back-story articles on unusual pro stock equipment or other topics relating to the latest in NHL hockey equipment news.

QUALITY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

We don’t have to tell you being a goalie is a pressure-packed job – your whole team is counting on you to play at peak performance; every game, every time. With the outcome of the game frequently resting on their shoulders, it’s no wonder they’re all crazy! At Pro Stock Hockey we take the extra time to thoroughly inspect all incoming goalie equipment and verify that it meets our quality standards. Why? Two reasons. First, we know how expensive goalie equipment can be, so making sure our customers are blown away with the quality and durability of our goalie equipment is a top priority. Second, we just really don’t want to have to deal with any pissed off goalies…

All of our new inventory is photographed in high resolution and spec’d out by our very own inspection team. When you order a Pro Stock Hockey goalie stick, we don’t just toss it in a box and send it on its way. We go the extra mile with our packaging to make sure your stick is protected and that it reaches your door in perfect condition. Our goal is to help you stop goals!

Need a pro stock goalie stick? Check out our selection right now!

Learn More About Hockey Sticks

Below are a few pages with more information about frequently asked questions, common misconceptions, as well as some tips & tricks to improve your game.

Hockey Goalie Stick Buying Guide

For hockey goalies, stick choice is not a decision to be taken lightly. But with so many sticks available on the market today, it can be overwhelming to figure out which stick is best. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you find the perfect stick for you.

Types of goalie sticks

Composite:

Composites have grown in popularity amongst goalies in the last decade or so for several reasons. Most are made from a blend of carbon fiber and graphite, making them lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture damage. Looking to scoop one of these without emptying the bank? SidelineSwap has both used and new composite twigs starting as low as $50.

Wood:

If your worst nightmare is a broken stick, you’d be smart to invest in a wooden goalie stick. Wooden blades, despite their heaviness, are always a good choice for those who value sticks that last and have the best overall feel on the puck.

Foam Core Sticks:

If you’re still stuck somewhere in the middle between woods and composites, a foam core stick may be the move for you. Lined with thin wood and packed with foam, this type of stick maintains its lightweight feel while still handling the puck with the responsiveness and durability of your typical wooden stick.

Sizing

Like everything in hockey, preference is key. At the professional level, many players prefer sticks that don’t follow traditional length and curve guidelines. If you’re not quite at Jonathan Quick’s level yet, it’s best to follow certain rules when picking out your next stick. A good starting point for any aspiring tendy is to find a stick that, when placed on its toe, reaches somewhere between your chin and the tip of your nose. If you have to, go longer than you prefer and cut the shaft down accordingly.

Curve Types and Lie

Goalies have a history of playing by their own rules. With curves, it’s no different. In goalie-terms, a “right handed stick” is known as a regular stick. “Left handed sticks” are referred to as full right sticks.

Curves:

Curves are generally not as widespread amongst goalie sticks as they are with conventional sticks. While a straighter blade will allow you to stop and settle shots with greater control, many goalies reach for twigs with a slight mid or heel curve to give them increased loft when playing the puck down ice. If you’re just starting out, keep the blade simple and straight.

Lie:

The lie of the hockey stick is the angle between the blade of the stick and the shaft. Youth and Junior goalie sticks usually have a lie number around 11 or 12, while intermediate and senior sticks are closer to 13-15. Consider yourself on the shorter side? Go for a stick with a smaller lie number to ensure that the stick’s blade lies evenly and centered on the ice. if you’re on the taller side, go with a higher lie.

Other Tips:

If you have questions about a goalie stick you’ve been eyeing on SidelineSwap, feel free to reach out to the seller, or our team of experts, to get all the helpful info you might need.

Related Resources:

SidelineSwap Hockey Goalie Leg Pads Buying Guide
How To Size A Hockey Goalie Stick — How Long Should It Be?
Can A Player Pick Up A Goalie Stick?
How To Tape A Hockey Goalie Stick

Goalie Equipment Sizing Guides – Simmons Hockey

We are the World Leader in Goal Equipment Sales and Service. We can accurately fit any goaltender regardless of size, age, level or style of play no matter where you are on the planet. Just follow this guide and contact us at 1-800-598-9298 if you have any questions.

Before ordering there are specific measurements that are required to ensure a proper fit. All measurements should be done as accurately as possible and should not be exaggerated. We will take growth into consideration if requested. A proper fit is the key to being properly protected. This also allows the goalie to play at the best of his or her ability. Standard information required for any purchase are; HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AGE & LEVEL OF PLAY. When ordering a catcher, blocker, chest/arm or stick we also need to know the hand you catch with.

Having this information on hand before contacting us allows us to efficiently assist you in selecting the proper equipment.

SIZING A GOALIE MASK

A goalie mask has to fit snugly. This allows the shape and composition of the shell to equally distribute shot pressure while minimizing the risk of injury. A properly fitting mask will decrease the risk of injury and increase visibility.

MEASURING INSTRUCTIONS: Snugly wrap a measuring tape around your head approximately one inch above the eyebrows near the middle of your forehead.

ADJUSTMENT: Loosen the chin cup and push mask tight to your forehead. Start with the top snap of the harness located at the top-center at the back of the mask. Adjust until backplate comfortably fits the contour of your head while holding mask snug to your forehead. Adjust the rest of the harness snugly, working down to the bottom of the backplate. Finally, tighten the chin-cup. Whether your mouth is open or closed the chin-cup should maintain constant contact with your chin.

Please Provide all of the following
HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AGE, and MEASUREMENTS The top two straps on a goal pad should be worn loose. The first reason is most knee locks, knee cradles, and thigh guards, hold you in the pad and allow the pad to move properly with your leg. The second reason is your goal pant should break across the top of your knee cap, riding behind the top of the pad, this double coverage increases protection and allows for better mobility.
MEASURING INSTRUCTIONS: In bare feet (no shoes,) measure from the floor, straight up the outside of the leg to the middle of the kneecap, as pictured on the left. Now slide the tape up and measure from the center of the ankle bone to the middle of the knee cap. Please write down all of these measurements as well as the height, weight, age and level of play. With all these measurements we can ensure a proper fit when you call or make sure they are entered on the pre-order request form.

HOW TO TIE A TOE BRIDGE LACE: Lay pad face down in front of you. Crisscross strings through front of skate. Cross again through middle of skate. Pull lace tight keeping toe of pad just on top of skate blade. Tie bow on top of skate. If string is still loose rotate pad until any slack is gone.

GOAL SKATE SIZING
The most common question we have been asked by parents of beginner goalies is; what are the advantages of a goal skate over a player skate? Protection of the shell is first and foremost. The blade is not as tall giving a lower center of gravity. The blade is flat, not arced, leaving more blade in contact with the ice which gives better balance. The boot is not as high allowing for more flexibility in the ankles, alleviating strain on the knees.
MEASURING INSTRUCTIONS: Use one sheet of paper per foot. Wearing a sock you would play in, place foot in center of paper and trace as accurately as possible. Do not trace between toes, keep toes together. Draw a straight line through the foot as pictured on left. The placement of the line is not important. Measure the length of the line from where it touches the heel, to where it touches the toe. Write the measurement, name and phone number on each foot and fax it to us at (905) 871-8088. The tracing gives us information on the length, width and arches of the foot to allow us to correctly fit a goal skate. The length of the line is not used to determine foot length, it is used to ensure the fax has transmitted correctly. Please do not add to the length. It will ultimately add to the width of the foot as well.
CORRECT FIT: Loosen the laces so the foot can be slid forward and the toe can touch the front of the skate. With knee slightly bent one finger should fit snugly between the heel and the back of the skate.

SIZING A GOALIE STICK

90,000 Hockey Stick Length: How to Measure and Fit the Right Size?

When buying a club, the main selection criterion is its length. For experienced athletes, changing equipment is straightforward, as they usually know what they need. However, it should be borne in mind that the style of play largely depends on the length of the club. For example, when playing with a long stick, a player cannot boast of being effective in dribbling, and when choosing a short stick for himself, you should not try to hit the goal the way defenders do (in most cases, they use long clubs during the game).

Rules for measuring club length

The choice of length should be done while standing on skates. This is due to the fact that skates add a few centimeters in height, and choosing ammunition without sports shoes can be mistaken.

When taking measurements, it is necessary to look forward, and keep the club parallel to the body, making support on the nose of the hook.

For entry-level players, it is best to choose a Average or Average stick. To choose this option, it is worth stopping the choice on a stick, the height of which will be in the gap between the nose and chin. Long stick (Long) will end above the nose and short stick (Short) will end below the chin.

Features of different club lengths

Short stick or “ Dribbler “, suitable for players who are proficient in dribbling techniques. Such an accessory is lighter and more convenient for controlling the puck on a small ice area, and it is also more practical for them to perform circular feints during the game. The short stick is ideal for those who are good at dribbling or who want to improve their dribbling skills.

Medium Stick or “ Destroyer “. Most often, these clubs are the choice of players from the corner sections of the field. This size can be considered a universal option, which allows you to make good use of the dribbling technique and perform powerful shots on goal.

Long Sticks or Destroyers. Usually defenders play such an accessory. With its help, you can throw the puck far away during an attack, intercept an opponent’s pass, or perform other game manipulations on the field.

Of course, this is a conditional division and each player independently chooses the optimal length of the inventory.

Hockey sticks according to player’s height

Hockey sticks are produced in four main age groups, the data for which are shown in the table:

Children	youth, yth	Children 3-7 years old	106-114 cm (42-45 inches)
Junior	junior, jr	Children 7-14 years old	119-132 cm (47-52 inches)
Teenagers	intermediate, int	Boys 14-17 years old	137-145 cm (54-57 inches)
Adults	senior, sr	Adult players	142-157 cm (56-62 inches)

Certain adult athletes weighing less than 70 kg may sometimes choose teen golf clubs.

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When you buy a golf club, one of the main factors in choosing is the length. Experienced players do not have any problems with this, they know perfectly well which length they like best. Despite the fact that the length of the club, for the most part, is a subjective choice of the player, depending on the length of the club, the style of play changes. For example, if you pick a club that is too long, you will not be able to be as effective in dribbling as a player with a short club, and vice versa, if you play with a short club, you will not be able to shoot at goal with the same force, with

In order to correctly choose the length of the club, the player must be on skates. The skates will add a few centimeters in height and the stick, which reached the nose of a player without skates, will barely reach the chin if the player is wearing skates. If you are choosing a golf club and you are not able to put on skates, then do not forget that you will be taller in skates and based on this, choose the length of the club.

Long stick “Defender” – It is rare to find a defender playing with a medium or even more short stick, and if you meet one, then this is an exception rather than the rule.99% of defenders play with long sticks. A long stick gives more opportunities to destroy attacks: push the puck away from the attacker, intercept the pass, keep the attacker away from the goal. As you know, defenders should have a fairly powerful click and long clubs (with proper throwing technique) give more power when clicking.

When you buy a golf club, one of the main factors in choosing is the length. Experienced players do not have any problems with this, they know perfectly well which length they like best.Despite the fact that the length of the club, for the most part, is a subjective choice of the player, depending on the length of the club, the style of play changes. For example, if you pick a club that is too long, you will not be able to be as effective at dribbling as a player with a short club, and vice versa, if you play with a short club, you will not be able to shoot at goal with the same force as you do. defenders throws (99% of them play with long clubs). But we will talk about which clubs are suitable for which role later.First, let’s take a look at how to properly measure and choose the length of your club.

Long stick “Defender” – It is rare to find a defender playing with a medium or even a shorter stick, if you do find one it is the exception rather than the rule.99% of defenders play with long sticks. A long stick gives more opportunities to destroy attacks: push the puck away from the attacker, intercept the pass, keep the attacker away from the goal. As you know, defenders should have a fairly powerful click and long clubs (with proper throwing technique) give more power when clicking.

There is not much choice in this hockey stick parameter. There are right grip and left grip clubs, so it’s easy to figure out which grip you have. Take the club in your hands, if your right hand is holding the end of the club, and the left is holding the middle, then you have a left grip.If, on the contrary, it is right. But there are also sticks with a universal grip. Most often, they are played by children, in order to determine with what grip of the club to connect their hockey career.

As you already understood, each age group may have different club lengths. And which one to choose, again, it’s up to you. The length of the club should be such that the player feels free and comfortable in all playing situations.For example, strikers tend to use shorter clubs in order to be able to hit the puck faster. Defenders usually use longer sticks in order to be able to steal and knock the puck from a striker from a greater distance. Suitable club length ranges from collarbone to tip of nose (with skates on). In the store, you can stand on tiptoes to determine the length of the club. Novice players are better off playing with a slightly longer club as it can always be sawed off if necessary to find the most optimal club length.

How to choose the stiffness (flex) of the stick?
Before choosing the stiffness of a stick, let’s understand what it is and why such a stick property is generally necessary. The fact is that for a correct and powerful throw, you need to bend the club. The energy that is concentrated at the moment of club deflection is transferred to the puck in the form of acceleration. Therefore, if you want to get the strongest possible throw, then you cannot neglect such a characteristic as the stiffness of the club.The stiffness is determined by the value of the Flex characteristic. The higher the value, the harder the stick. Optimum stiffness should roughly match the weight of the hockey player. If you do not know how to choose the right stick stiffness (flex), then contact our specialists, they will be happy to help you with any question.

Pen is the lower part of a hockey stick. The materials and construction of the feather are directly dependent on the feel of the interaction of the stick with the puck at the time of dribbling, passing and throwing.Most often, in the manufacture of feathers, stiffeners are used, and the cavities are filled with special foam, which helps to damp vibration when receiving the washer.
Curl — Represents the curvature of the pen. There are more popular kinks such as P92 for Bauer, E3 for ESTON or 19, 29 for CCM. The curvature of the club should be appropriate for the style of play. So, for example, a hook with a large bend is easier to throw into the top of the goal, but more difficult to act with the back of the hook.
Selecting a fold is a very individual process. In order to understand which bend suits you best, you need to play with different feathers. A well-chosen kink affects the accuracy of passes, shots and dribbles. Take a close look at this hockey stick characteristic.

Matte – this type of coating combines the advantages of the first two coatings. It is a matte finish and is usually slightly rough in texture. The coating allows the hand to glide perfectly on the shaft, but at the same time fixes it well when throwing. We can say that the glide of the hand on the shaft of the club is at the level of the Clear coating, but the hold in the hand is inferior to the Grip coating.

Traditionally, the length of the adult hockey stick was 36 inches (91.44 cm) or 1 yard (91.4 cm), but over the past 15 years, the standard length has increased to 36.5 inches (92.71 cm).To date, there are no established restrictions that would govern the maximum length of a field hockey stick, but manufacturers themselves generally do not make hockey sticks that are longer than 38.5 inches (92.71 cm). however, some manufacturers accept special orders for golf clubs up to 42 inches (106.68 cm) in length.

In many ways, your height should be the deciding factor in choosing the right club length, although this is by no means the only parameter that influences your choice.For young players, the choice of a club of one length or another is directly dependent on the development of their professional skills and ability to control the ball. The graph below shows you the approximate ratio of the player’s height to the required club length.

Unit ratio:
Stick length (inches – centimeters)		Growth of an athlete (feet – centimeters)
28 ” = 71.12 cm		4 ft = 121.92 cm
30 ” = 76.2 cm		5 ft = 152.4 cm
32 ” = 81.28 cm		6 ft = 182.88 cm
34 ” = 86.36 cm		7 ft = 213.36 cm
36 ” = 91.44 cm
38 ” = 96.52 cm
40 ” = 101.6 cm

In the store it is not always possible to choose a club of the required length. Therefore, if you bought a too long one, you can saw it off to the desired size. And when the child grows up, in order not to buy a new one, it will be possible to insert a special wooden extension cord. But it must be borne in mind that the length of the club affects flexibility. By shortening it, you lose flexibility.

Structurally, all hockey sticks can be divided into one-piece and composite. One-piece models are those in which the handle and the hook are one inseparable whole. The main advantage of composite structures is the relative low cost of operation.If the hook breaks, as is often the case, only the hook needs to be replaced, not the whole stick. In addition, the hockey player gets the opportunity to experiment with different hooks, choosing the best one for himself.

The stiffness of the hockey stick affects the quality of the shot being taken during the game. In order to make a good shot, you need to bend the club. The tougher the product, the harder it is to do it. It makes strict demands on a modern club. It must be perfectly balanced, and the hook must never outweigh the base. Some clubs can even be operated with one hand. Many hockey sticks have the inscription Kick Zone, which means the kick zone.By clicking on it, the hockey player makes a strong throw.

Depending on your grip, the side in which the hook of the hockey stick will be bent is determined.It affects the power of blows and their accuracy. The choice depends on whether the player is right-handed or left-handed. Accordingly, you can buy a club with a left or right bend. If it is more convenient to hold the stick in your left hand, then you need a hockey stick with a right bend, and vice versa.