Wooden Sticks

The Wooden Stick

With names like kevlar, carbon fibre and composite being thrown into the mix, it might seem this stick is long obsolete.  It’s becoming quite rare to find any pro who uses this type of stick, but they are still out there.  So why would a pro who could afford any type of stick choose one he has to replace ten times a week?  Maybe because they are purists, but maybe it’s the “feel”.

The “feel” is something that all that new technology has yet to replicate.  Amidst those cold stats comparing wood and newer composites, what really matters is how you are able to handle it on the ice.  For those that have always played with wood,  switching to a straight composite can be a dramatic one.  Sure, the fancy new technology may result in a faster shot, but are you prepared to sacrifice some of your ability to stick handle or receive a pass?  Chances are if you look closely you’ll notice that those pros who want wood actually have the best of both worlds by using a wood blade with a composite shaft.  Doing so retains a certain amount of wood feel, while enjoying added benefits of flex that only composite can offer.  This type of stick can be a great way to migrate to a full composite stick for those who have grown up on wood.

So for those purists who retain an allegiance to the wood stick, one thing to keep in mind is that wood will break.  Leaning into a hard slap shot causes a tremendous amount of stress in your stick.  It is the release of that stress that causes the whipping action of the stick which translates into a good hard shot.  Unfortunately this flex in wood causes a breakdown as the fibers that comprise the wood are stressed and weakened.  Asides from making the stick more vulnerable to breaking, it will also weaken your shot.

One thing that wood does have for it, is choice.  Given the tremendous amount of variety you will want to make sure you’re making the right decision.  At it’s most basic you will find the standard solid aspen shaft with fiberglass reinforcements or a laminated hickory blade.  Next up the rung is the laminated shaft which borrows it’s manufacturing technique from plywood.  Think of many layers of wood, glued onto each other.  Keep going and you’ll find the laminated shaft reinforced with fiberglass.  Again, the purpose is to make the stick stronger, and less vulnerable to wearing down that whipping action.  Finally the aircraft, or hollow core shaft, is a shaft that actually has hollow spaces in it’s core.  The Rolls Royce of wood stick, the aircraft is the lightest, and some brands actually incorporate composite materials to reinforce it’s strength.

So if you’re just learning this wonderful sport, chances are wood is the way to go.      Sure you may have the plainest stick in the dressing room, but you also are going to be spending upwards of $200 for a flashy composite number.  In my opinion, save your money and purchase the cheap wood one.  The minimal gain you will experience with a composite stick is slight, if any, for a beginner.  Plus, I remember watching a friend slam his pricey stick in his hatchback, breaking it in two.  These sticks break, so make sure the investment is worth it.  Looking cool should be your last concern when you are learning to skate, pass and stick handle.

Children are also more than likely not to experience any benefit from a more expensive stick.  Wood is the ideal choice for your growing tykes as you won’t have to continually shell out $100 every time junior shoots up a few inches.  Wait until your child can actually benefit from the added benefit of having a stick with more flex and less weight.  Some children are playing at an elite level where this would be beneficial, but for the vast majority the $20 wood stick will be a much wiser investment.