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Proper stick sizing. Fitting . Tips. Kind of Sticks. 1. Wood Goalie Sticks Wood sticks are typically made of laminated pieces of aspen, ash or birch, which are covered on the paddle and blade by thin layers of fiberglass for durability and water resistance.
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Kind of Sticks 1. Wood Goalie Sticks • Wood sticks are typically made of laminated pieces of aspen, ash or birch, which are covered on the paddle and blade by thin layers of fiberglass for durability and water resistance. • As stick technology has advanced in the last few decades, the demand for wood sticks has decreased as today's goalies tend to favor lighter and softer models. • Goalies who prefer a more traditional feel, or who are on a budget, will find wood sticks appealing.
Continued… 2. Foam Core Goalie Sticks • Foam core sticks typically feature a wood shaft with a glass lamination for durability. The paddle and blade are made from a molded urethane, which is then injected with foam, and covered with a glass or composite laminate for strength and water resistance. • Newer foam core sticks also feature a harder heel insert to keep the heel from premature wear and tear. • The foam inside both the paddle and the blade act to provide rigidity, and to dampen the vibrations that goalies feel when the puck hits the stick. • Oftentimes, goalies who use a foam core stick will describe it’s feel as “soft”, meaning that there is little vibration when the puck impacts it. • Foam core sticks have grown in popularity over the years as they combine a reasonable price point, light weight, a soft feel, and good durability.
Continued… 3. Composite Goalie Sticks • Today’s composite sticks are made from a variety of materials, ranging from fiberglass to graphite to carbon fiber/Kevlar. • Like the foam core sticks, composite sticks often feature foam core injections for vibration deadening, and they are often wrapped in higher grade synthetic materials (nylon, carbon fiber, Kevlar) which help promote durability. • Due to the nature of the materials being used, composite sticks – especially the carbon fiber, Kevlar and graphite models; tend to be the lightest on the market. • Additionally, many of today’s models feature innovative elements including “rubbery” grip zones on the shoulder area, convex or flat paddle profiles (on the side that faces the shots), and contoured paddles that accommodate goalies who like the hold the stick closer to the body. • Composite sticks tend to be the most expensive on the market, though the buyer can be comforted in knowing that many of today’s composites feature a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty.
Thank you! • Questions?