This thread is intense..horry shit lol

I just picked up an 85 flex s17 cuz it was on sale at sport check... first time not using a 110 flex for a while. Don't have to put as much effort into snap shots, but I'm afraid to take a clapper lol... will have to wait to put a blade into my se16 to get back into slappers.

Also.. need some need elbow pads for the first time in 7 years :s what do those run now adays

I'm also looking to get a stick but my question is should I get a wood or cheap (<$100) composite?

I'm beginner so no slappers for me just yet. I also play D if that makes a difference. I want to be able to shoot wristers and pass on the forehand and backhand.

Currently have a sherwood 85flex coffey stick and a bauer x50 87flex backstrom.
I'm trying to find something without a huge curve like my current sticks.

The only thing I've found is the Warrior sticks with lidstrom curve but they don't have a cheap wood option for me to try.

Its getting harder and harder to find wood sticks now, cause some of the low end composites are about the same price as wood sticks.

If you want a straighter blade take a look at

Bauer: P88(kane), PM9(stamkos)
Easton: Iginla, Zetterberg

but keep in mind the Stamkos and Zetterberg are a lower Lie than the other two.

I don't get it. Why are noobs willing to drop $250+ on sticks hoping to improve their shot when they never had one to begin with? Take that money and go take a power skating course. I don't mean the one at Britannia either, that one is garbage. The ones at 8rinks are worth every penny. I've taken 3 at 8rinks and they improved me more than any stick or skate I have ever bought. If I wasn't playing ashl wknd league, I'd go take another one.

$30 - $150

Marketing is working
:fuckthatshit: silly newbs
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Cool! I didn't know they had classes like this. I've been looking for beginner adult classes but google only came up with kids classes. Do they run these year round? What other rinks do these kinds of lessons?

Canlan Ice Sports Burnaby 8 Rinks - Adult


SWEET!! Looks like they have way more time slots these days!!

I would skip the wooden stick option unless you are able to find a high end wooden stick.
Look for some of the mid level composite sticks or look for some of the season end sales or year end clean up which we just had the last 2 months.
If a $100 stick is on sale for $50, that is not a bad buy. A $200+ stick for $100ish like the one95 at SC is a really good deal. Skip the $50 regularly priced sticks as those are meant to be the bottom of the barrel for a reason.

When I switched to my Warrior Macdaddy's, they were on clearance because they were being replaced.

One more thing, based on what I see from you, I think you can benefit from a 77 flex stick. You may be a little too tall/heavy to use a 65 flex intermediate though.

JKam, I forget, which way do you shoot? I'm thinking you are a righty right?

I'll probably skip getting a new stick until mine breaks. Spend the money on power skating classes so Bang doesn't yell at me hahaha.

I shoot right, not that I shoot often haha. I'll talk to you about it more when I see you at our next game together.

I would get a mid level shaft so you can play with different blade options in terms of curves and lies. This way you aren't stuck with a curve you don't like.. You can always adapt to diff curves, but if you are starting out, you will go through many curves and weigh the pro and cons of diff ones. Even now, I have switched between 3 diff curves in the last year.

For a total beginner, does it make a big difference? I recently started playing ice hockey (but can skate and have played street/roller hockey before so somewhat experienced at puck handling) and I use a $50 regular price stick. What kind of benefits would I get in getting a nicer stick?

imo, nicer stick = under 200 dollar lightweight stick, nice material, better stickhandling. Most 50 dollar sticks are heavy to me even when its cut down.
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total beginners can get whatever they want... it is their money... what is the mid level line now, was the top end a few years ago, so really, they can't be that bad. with that said, just don't get a 200 dollar stick thinking it will make you shoot great right away. also, because you are just starting out and testing what works for you, it just doesn't make sense to buy a 200+ dollar twig just to find something else you like a few months later.

Ya, I just don't wanna be a poseur n00b that isn't very good but plays with a $200 stick lol. But I do play with the lowest end Nike Bauer stick (One20? One15?) coz it was the cheapest, dunno if I would benefit from something around $80-$100.

u may or may not benefit from it.. BUT I am warning you now, if you go high end, you will never be able to go back... So be prepared to be spending 200 bucks on sticks for life lol. Your low ened NB stick will seem like a 20 lb dumbbell after you play with the high end sticks

I'll definitely second this. Taking my third classes there, for puckhandling, and it's really helping me! It's kind of annoying that there isn't a class that focus on powerskating without the puck, as I've already taken the level 1 powerskating and hockey skills twice but I don't know if I should move up to level 2 yet. That aside, I'm wondering if I should take a Game Situations and Techniques lesson?

Also, last time I grabbed a pair of composite sticks for $50, I regretted the decision immensely. Even my senior-sized wooden sticks for ball hockey were miles lighter and better puck feeling than those. Definitely look out for the mid-/high-end sticks on sales if you can find one your size. (Which in my experience is pretty much near impossible for my size until I can shoot with a 100 flex stick.)

this is true. I was one who said "oh yeah I'll just use my equipment until it all falls apart". Slowly everything is being replaced with closeout top of the line stuff, most recently my pants, stick, and skates.

One thing I do though to save is get a high-end shaft/blade combo, as I almost exclusively break blades. If I were to break a TO or APX one piece, I think I'd cry. Buying 70 dollar blades is much more economical- and although I can definitely feel the difference between the 2 piece and top end one pieces with the OPSs being better, the benefit isn't worth the extra cost :fullofwin:

You were at Epic Hockey night 2 right?
I think I remember which guy you were. Are you sure you should be using a 100 flex stick? Other than BlueG2, I don't remember seeing anyone tall/heavy enough to be using a 100 flex. Heck, even I use a 77 flex cut down to about 84 flex.

Until I can shoot with a 100 flex stick, I'm sticking with my nice 65 flex cut down to about 67-70. It's just quite annoying to see some of the best stick sales are senior sized at 85 and cutting them down to my length would mean they'd be 100+ flex. There are hardly good sales on good intermediate sticks and they also often have some of the smallest selections at retail stores- smaller than junior sticks I swear.

go to sports exchange on burrard. tons of decent intermediate sticks there. thats where i bought my sticks until i started using senior flexes

And I use a 75 lol

Forcing yourself to learn to shoot a stiffer flex so you can get in on deals... you must be Chinese :)

Forget about buying in stores, go online and buy 1-2 year old closeout models. I can't justify spending $70-80 for just a blade, when for $20 more I can get a full stick.

Has anyone tried the new Easton Stealth RS stick yet? My S19 in 110 flex is still too "noodly" for one-timers.

How tall and how much do you weight?
And what is your skill level? Unless you are big Country, I can't imagine a rec player finding a 110 flex noodly feeling.

6'tree", 220. I played half a year in the bchl - defense, until I decided to get a real job I enjoy. Now I play rec/military hockey which is about junior B level without hitting. The 110 flex is awesome for snap shots, just a little flex and BAM! Off the glass behind the goalie.

Not too many reviews yet of the Easton RS yet.