Ice Hockey Sticks – Sizes, Flex & Buying Guide
Choosing the right ice hockey stick is important for comfort, puck control and shooting power. Factors such as length, flex, handedness, kickpoint and blade curve determine whether a stick suits the player. Popular brands such as Bauer sticks, CCM sticks, Warrior and Sherwood offer a wide range of flex and length options. You will find a strong selection at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice. Manufacturers usually measure stick length from the top of the shaft to the middle of the blade heel. If you place the stick on the floor with the blade tip touching the ground, it is therefore longer than the stated inch size. One inch equals 2.54 cm. Cutting a stick makes the flex stiffer. If a stick is too short, end plugs are available to extend it.
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.
- Defensemen: Longer for more reach & puck control.
- Cutting: Cutting the stick increases the flex rating, so the stick becomes stiffer.
The stiffness (flex) of an ice hockey stick depends on age and other factors. See the table below.
- Cutting: Every inch cut off noticeably increases stiffness.
Stick Hand – Left or Right? Pay attention to which hand is lower when shooting. This is the safest way to choose.
- LH (left-handed): left hand lower on the stick → common stick choice for right-handed players
- RH (right-handed): right hand lower on the stick → common stick choice for left-handed players
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Tip: Test your natural grip with a broom or stick.
The left-/right-handed rule can sometimes differ. The information about which hand is lower is always the relevant point.
Kickpoint on an Ice Hockey Stick – Explained
- Low Kick: Bends lower down the shaft; very quick release for wrist shots and snapshots. Popular with forwards. Examples: Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor, Warrior Covert.
- Mid Kick: balanced & versatile; a good mix of quick power and shooting force. Examples: Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed, Warrior Novium.
Remember: The lower the kickpoint, the quicker the shot release tends to be.
Size Chart for Ice Hockey Sticks
The following overview helps you choose the right length and flex. In Junior and Intermediate sizes, shafts are usually 3–4 inches shorter.
| Age Group | Height | Weight | Flex |
Length to the blade heel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Kickpoint & Series – Quick Overview
| Kickpoint | Typical Benefit | Examples (Brand/Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Kick | Quick release, wrist shots and snapshots | Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor, Warrior Covert, Sherwood Rekker |
| Mid Kick | All-round, balanced, versatile | Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed, Warrior Novium |
| Hybrid Kick | Variable mix of quick release and power | Some special editions |
Tip: If you are unsure, start with Mid Kick (balanced). For very quick wrist shots, Low Kick is usually the better fit.
FAQ about Ice Hockey Sticks
How do I determine the right length for my ice hockey stick?
Without skates, the ice hockey stick should reach the tip of the nose; with skates, it should reach the chin. Rule of thumb: body height minus approx. 10 cm. In Junior and Intermediate sizes, shafts are usually 3–4 inches shorter. Forwards often prefer shorter Bauer/CCM sticks for handling; defensemen often choose longer Warrior/Sherwood sticks for reach.
How do I choose the right flex for my ice hockey stick?
Beginners often do better with softer flex sticks (e.g. 30–50), because the shaft loads more easily. Advanced players and professionals use stiffer flex sticks (75–112) for maximum shooting power. Important: cutting makes the stick stiffer – every inch removed increases stiffness. You will find a wide selection of Bauer, CCM, Warrior & Sherwood at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice.
Should I buy a left-handed or right-handed stick?
If the left hand is lower, choose an LH stick (left-handed). If the right hand is lower, choose an RH stick (right-handed). Tip: Test your natural grip with a broom. All common Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood models are available as left- and right-handed sticks.
Which kickpoint is right for me?
Low Kick (e.g. Bauer Vapor, CCM Ribcor) provides a very quick release for wrist shots. Mid Kick (e.g. Bauer Nexus, CCM Jetspeed) is the all-round option. If in doubt, choose Mid Kick – or use the live chat for advice.
Which blade curve should I choose?
P92/P29 (all-round, light lift), P28 (toe curve, quick release), P88 (classic/flatter). For beginners, P92 is often the safest choice.
Where can I buy affordable ice hockey sticks?
Affordable ice hockey sticks from Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood are available at Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice – with all flex ratings and sizes from Youth to Junior & Intermediate through to Senior.
Conclusion: You will find the right ice hockey stick when length, flex, kickpoint and curve match your playing style. A wide selection of popular Bauer, CCM, Warrior and Sherwood models is available at attractive prices from Hockeyzentrale and Hockeyoffice.
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