Hockey is such a great sport. It’s fun, competitive, you get a great workout every time, and you can team up with some friends to get a game going. Things can get physical, depending how into the game you want to get. And your stick will take a beating. Eventually, enough wear and tear will cause your stick to rattle.
When your hockey stick begins to rattle, it’s getting to the point of being on its last legs. You will need to replace the stick sooner than later because the ratting on the inside is your stick-breaking down. Multiple impacts cause interior pieces to break loose and the stick to break down, causing it to be less effective.
With proper care, time, and attention, you can make your hockey stick last for years. Especially if you’re game-time practices don’t involve getting too physical. Now, if you’re going all-out and knocking each other around, your stick may not last as long. Let’s look at some of the ways that you can properly care for your hockey stick to better hold up to the wear and tear it will inevitably experience.
Proper Hockey Stick Care
Finding the right stick that works for you is essential. Each player is going to have their own unique, desirable feel when the stick is in their hands. You’ll want to find something with the right feel and weight, so you can play at your best. When you hear what a lot of players call the “death rattle,” your stick is going to be done soon. Many players will note their sticks breaking within the next game or two, and once it’s snapped, then it’s game over. Once a stick breaks, it will be time for a new one.
Giving your stick some love and care whenever you’re not playing will work wonders for keeping it in great shape. When you think about it, your stick is going to take a beating no matter what you do, especially if you play hard. So, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to keep it at its best, so you don’t have to run out to buy a new one if it suddenly breaks. Follow these guidelines and take the time to care for your hockey stick. After all, it’s the most important tool in the game.
Clean it off and Repair Deep Scratches
It can be easy to neglect simple things that can keep a stick working great. Cleaning your stick off after a game (especially if it’s field hockey) will help to keep moisture from seeping into the material. A lot of sticks are made of wood, so moisture seeping into the stick can cause it to lose its integrity.
Also, repair any deep scratches that may have appeared in the duration of the game. Deep scratches can eventually turn into breakage. The best way to stay on top of this is the 5-minute epoxy. The stuff works great, dries solid, and it’s easy to use.
Tape Your Shaft
Taping the lower four inches of the shaft is critical. The term “hacking” is used to describe the move of hitting another player’s stick out of the way while making a move for the puck. Well, as you can imagine, your stick will take a beating if you’re doing a fair amount of hacking. Taping those lower four inches will protect your stick from breaking from too much hacking. Use a tape that’s specifically been manufactured for hockey sticks. They create a super durable compound for hockey tape, so it enhances the durability and will last.
Modify Your Grip
Creating an even better grip will also help keep your stick in shape. Not having the best grip can cause your stick to go flying onto the surface of play, exposing it to other players who can end up stepping on it and damaging it. Using a special tape to increase your ability to grip the stick will keep it in your hands much better than playing without tape.
Touch-Ups
Although it’s mostly aesthetic, touching up your stick with a tube or small container of touch-up paint will keep it looking new. Mentally this will help the desire to keep your stick in the best shape possible. When you keep it looking shiny and new, you’ll want to keep it that way, thus providing the desire to take even better care of your stick, so it doesn’t get broken from wear and tear.
By following these tips, your stick can stay in immaculate shape. Always remember the more time and attention you give to your gear, the longer it’s going to last and keep serving you well.
Best Types of Hockey Sticks
As mentioned, there are a few different types of hockey for players to enjoy, and the sticks that have been reviewed to be the best. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular hockey sticks in the marketplace to give you an idea of which ones will be the most reliable. Durability a longevity play a factor with these sticks, and tons of players use them because they heavily depend on the stick.
As mentioned, there are a few different types of hockey for players to enjoy, and the sticks that have been reviewed to be the best. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular hockey sticks in the marketplace to give you an idea of which ones will be the most reliable. Durability a longevity play a factor with these sticks, and tons of players use them because they heavily depend on the stick.
Field Hockey
Field hockey may be the second most popular way to play the sport. Providing a few different types of surfaces on which it can be played, you can head out onto a watered turf field, synthetic turf field, grass, artificial turf, or even play inside on an indoor boarded surface. Field hockey involves a special field hockey stick for playing because you’ll be using a ball instead of a puck. Let’s look at a couple field hockey sticks that players have grown to love over the years:
When it comes to field hockey, these are two of the strongest brands. Many players rely on them with tons of great reviews because these sticks can hold up, giving players that added reliability.
Ice Hockey
Of course, the most traditional way to play hockey is on the ice. Indoor rinks are going to have a setup with lines and goals so you can easily just head out on the ice to play. Always be sure to have the right gear, and having the right stick is going to eliminate any qualms you may have about a stick that won’t hold up to the beating it’s going to take. The two ice hockey sticks that players have relied most on are:
- Bauer Vapor FlyLite Hockey Stick
- TRUE Ax9 Hockey Stick
These two sticks have a majority of positive reviews if you dig a little deeper and look into the reasons why players love to use these two sticks. Long life and durability are always going to be a factor, and the feel of these sticks is also a strong reason why hockey players love these sticks.
Roller Hockey/Street Hockey
And then there’s hockey on roller blades, which is a lot of fun too. Roller hockey also involves a ball or a special puck with multiple balls embedded in the puck, so it can roll across the surface. Roller hockey can be played indoors on a boarded surface or outside on the street with friends. Street hockey also includes a special stick for this version of the game; here are a couple sticks players love to use:
- Sher-Wood 5030
- Sher-Wood 9950
As you can see, Sher-Wood is the brand for street hockey. They have done a good job targeting the market and providing hockey sticks that a lot of players depend on. You can’t go wrong with a Sher-Wood.
Final Thoughts
Hockey stick protection and types are what we want to give you. You already know the elements of the game, you are set up with the knowledge to get out there and play. So, find a great stick that gives you all the confidence and reliability when you’re out there playing. And remember to have fun!