Hockey is a sport that requires serious skills. But it also requires an even more serious stick for playing. Nowadays the hockey industry makes some quite good and affordable sticks. However, instead of buying some random alternative from the brick-and-mortar stores, up your game with a custom model that will enhance your accuracy and performance on the ice. And, if you’re new to the game, don’t worry we got you covered. Here are some tips for choosing custom-made hockey sticks.
Weigh Your Custom Options
To increase your puck control and improve your stick-handling skills you should go for responsive and easy-to-handle custom hockey sticks. But finding such sticks can be a daunting task, especially for beginner players. Some places provide you with the fastest way to get your custom stick. You can choose between different custom colours, flexes, and patterns. Some providers deliver in as little as 5 days, and these are the most popular ones for far.
Some companies, however, take the customisation process to the next level, allowing you to choose from hundreds of configurations to build a suitable stick, with elite-level custom features for your specific game, including grip options and blade patterns that are entirely unique to you. Because of their high level of customisation, these manufacturers normally ship in about 30 days.
Last but not least, some manufacturers allow you to build a custom hockey stick from scratch. This allows you to mix and match key features like a pro athlete as well as choose from different stick features for a truly custom experience. Since the manufacturers start from zero it takes them longer to design and ship the product. So, their approximate delivery time is within 30 to 45 days.
Choose Your Stick Family
Once you’ve decided on the level of customisation you want, you’ll need to pick your stick family. There are three stick families. Vapour sticks are suited for players seeking quickness. The Vapour Hyperlite 2 stick is the lightest and most durable option from the brand, resulting in quicker plays, faster shots, and more goals off the blade.
Nexus sticks, on the other hand, are the best option for those that demand control. The 5-sided option increases efficiency and flexibility where it’s needed, allowing them to maintain control in any situation. For instance, the Nexus Sync is the most advanced and lightest Nexus stick ever made.
Proto-R is the newest addition to the Bauer Innovation Series. These custom models are great for players searching for a more deceptive release from anywhere on the ice. The Proto-R is perhaps the lightest mid-kick design, constructed with Boron Fibre Technology (unique to BAUER). As a result, the stick offers a consistent puck feel with an explosive release.
Customise It to Your Liking
This is the most fun but at the same time demanding part where you will have to decide the stick colour, hand, flex, blade pattern, and, of course, your player’s name.
Flex
The stick flex is determined by several factors, including height, weight, and playing choice. Flex is given as a number ranging from 40 to 110+. This figure shows the force necessary to bend the stick one inch.
Different manufacturers offer different ranges. Quick Turn, for example, has nine flex settings ranging from 40 (more flexible) to 87 (extremely rigid), including the innovative and distinctive 65 SR flex. Bauer Custom, on the other hand, takes that offering to a 112 flex. Most players will fall somewhere in the middle.
Curve
The curve of the stick blade influences the ability to control the puck and shoot. Whether they win faceoffs, choose corners, or battle along the boards, a blade pattern is designed to provide them with an advantage, regardless of their style or speciality. When looking for the best custom hockey sticks Canada-wide, these are the three most common blade patterns that many players will select from:
The P92 curve is the most common blade pattern used today. This pattern allows you to cradle the puck and is ideal for puck handling in traffic. With the P92, you’ll excel at wrist and snapshots, and the open face helps elevate the puck. It comes with an increased blade surface, which makes it simpler to tip pucks in front of the net and knock in rebounds.
The P88 is a typical mid-curve blade that works well in a variety of situations. It will help you improve your puck control, stick handling, strong wrist shots, and rapid releases. The P28’s toe curve and open face make it an excellent choice for players who prefer to play with the puck on the toe of their stick. The P28 pattern, which is ideal for rapid playmaking, is quickly becoming a best-seller.
Colour and Name
This may be self-explanatory, however, colours on hockey sticks can be chosen based on personal liking or to match team colours. QuickTurn, allows you to select among black, blue, red, silver, purple, or white. MyBauer Custom has 12 different colour options. After choosing the ideal colour you should add your player’s name and number.
