Ice Hockey Sticks – Sizes, Flex & Buying Guide
Choosing the right ice hockey stick is crucial for comfort, puck control and shot power. Factors such as length, flex, hand side, kick point and curve determine whether a stick fits the player optimally. Popular brands like Bauer sticks, CCM sticks, Warrior and Sherwood offer a wide selection across all flex and length levels. The best selection is available at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice. Manufacturers usually specify stick length measured from the top down to the middle of the blade heel. So if you stand the stick on the floor on the toe of the blade, it is longer than the stated inch sizes. One inch is 2.54 cm. Cutting a stick makes the flex stiffer. If sticks are too short, there are end plugs you can use to extend them.
Length of the Ice Hockey Stick
- Without skates: Stick up to the tip of the nose.
- With skates: Stick up to the chin.
- Forwards: Shorter for agile stickhandling & quick wrist shots.
- Defencemen: Longer for more reach & puck control.
- Cutting: Shortening increases the flex (the stick becomes stiffer).
Flex (Stiffness) of the Ice Hockey Stick look at the table below
- Cutting: Every shortened inch significantly increases stiffness.
Stick Right or Left Stick
Stick hand – left or right? Just pay attention to which hand is on the bottom when you hit the ball; that's the safest way.
- LH (left-handed): left hand on the stick → normal stick for right-handed players
- RH (right-handed): right hand on the bottom → normal stick for left-handed players
- Tip: Test your natural grip with a broom or stick.
- (The left/right-handed rule sometimes varies.) The information about which hand is on the bottom is always correct.
Kick Point on Ice Hockey Sticks – Explained
- Low Kick: Bends low; extremely quick release for wrist/snap shots. Popular with forwards. Examples: Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor, Warrior Covert.
- Mid Kick: Balanced & versatile; great mix of quick release and power. Examples: Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed, Warrior Novium.
- High Kick: Bends higher up; maximum energy transfer for slap shots. Popular with defencemen. Examples: Bauer Supreme, CCM Tacks.
Note: The lower the kick point, the faster the release – the higher it is, the more power on a full slap shot.
Size Chart for Ice Hockey Sticks
The following overview helps you choose the right length and flex. In Junior and Intermediate sizes, shafts are typically 3–4 inches shorter.
| Age Group | Height | Weight | Flex | Length to Heel Bend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyke (3–5) | 88–116 cm | 15–23 kg | 10–20 | 39"–42" |
| Youth (4–6) | 102–124 cm | 18–28 kg | 20–30 | 40"–45" |
| Youth Tall (5–8) | 119–136 cm | 25–34 kg | 25–35 | 45"–50" |
| Junior (7–11) | 124–144 cm | 36–45 kg | 30–40 | 51"–53" |
| Junior (10–13) | 132–154 cm | 41–50 kg | 35–50 | 54"–56" |
| Intermediate (11–14) | 132–162 cm | 50–59 kg | 50–60 | 57"–59" |
| Intermediate (12–15) | 136–168 cm | 54–64 kg | 60–65 | 57"–59" |
| Intermediate (13–16) | 145–169 cm | 64–73 kg | 65–80 | 57"–59" |
| Senior (14+) | 165–180 cm | 64–72 kg | 65–80 | 60" |
| Senior (16+) | 167–185 cm | 73–86 kg | 80–87 | 60" |
| Senior (16+) | 170–187 cm | 80–93 kg | 85–90 | 62"–63" |
| Senior (16+) | 185–190 cm | 86–100 kg | 87–95 | 62"–63" |
| Senior (18+) | 190+ cm | 100+ kg | 95–112 | 62"–64" + Extension |
Kick Point & Series – Quick Overview
| Kick Point | Typical Benefit | Examples (Brand/Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Kick | Quickest release, wrist/snap shots | Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor, Warrior Covert, Sherwood Rekker |
| Mid Kick | All-round, balanced, versatile | Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed, Warrior Novium |
| Hybrid Kick | Maximum power for slap shots | Some special editions |
Tip: If you’re unsure, start with Mid Kick (balanced). For very quick wrist shots choose Low Kick, for maximum slap-shot power choose High Kick.
FAQ about Ice Hockey Sticks
How do I determine the correct length of my hockey stick?
Without skates, the hockey stick should reach the tip of your nose; with skates, up to your chin. Rule of thumb: height minus approx. 10 cm. In Junior and Intermediate sizes, shafts are usually 3–4 inches shorter. Forwards prefer shorter Bauer/CCM sticks for handling; defencemen longer Warrior/Sherwood sticks for reach.
How do I choose the right flex for my hockey stick?
Beginners do better with softer-flex sticks (e.g. 30–50) as the shaft loads more easily. Advanced/Pros use stiffer-flex sticks (75–112) for maximum shot power. Important: shortening makes it stiffer – every inch less increases stiffness. Wide selection of Bauer, CCM, Warrior & Sherwood at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice.
Should I buy a left-hand or right-hand stick?
If your left hand is at the bottom, choose an LH stick (left hand). If your right hand is at the bottom, choose an RH stick (right hand). Tip: Test your natural grip with a broom. All common Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood models are available in LH and RH.
Which kick point is right for me?
Low Kick (e.g. Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor) provides the fastest release for wrist shots. Mid Kick (e.g. Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed) is the all-round solution. High Kick (e.g. Bauer Supreme, CCM Tacks) offers the most power for slap shots. If in doubt, choose Mid Kick – or use our live chat for advice.
Which curve should I choose?
P92/P29 (all-round, slight lift), P28 (toe curve, quick release), P88 (classic/flatter). For beginners, P92 is often the safest choice.
Where can I buy affordable hockey sticks?
Affordable hockey sticks from Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood are available at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice – with all flex levels and sizes from Youth through Junior & Intermediate to Senior.
Conclusion: You’ll find the right ice hockey stick when length, flex, kick point and curve match your playing style. A wide selection of the most popular Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood models is available at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice.
To provide the best recommendation for the right stick, we need the person’s age, height and weight. This information helps determine the ideal combination of length, flex and kick point.
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