Goalie Stick Buying Guide

How Should A Goalie Stick Be Sized?

A goalie’s stick plays a big role in building the right stance and movements. To get the right size, the stick blade should lie flat on the ice, centered between the toes of your pads, with the blocker slightly resting on the outer edge of the pad. It’s also important to keep your elbow tucked close to your body to avoid leaving any gaps, like the 7th hole (the space between your arm and body).

Goalie Stick Styles and Preferences

There are four main types of goalie sticks out there: wood, foam core, hybrid, and composite. Each has its pros and cons:

• Wood sticks: Heavier but well-balanced.
• Foam core sticks: Very popular. The paddle is made with injected foam, which keeps the weight down, provides better balance, and adds durability.
• Hybrid sticks: These combine foam core and composite. They have a foam core paddle with a composite shaft to reduce weight and add flexibility.
• Composite sticks: The lightest of all. They’re mostly hollow with a little foam inside, making them super light and easy to handle.

The curve of the stick is a personal preference but does make a difference. A flatter curve helps with redirecting pucks but might make it harder to lift the puck. On the other hand, mid or twist curves make it easier to shoot high but can make angling the puck more challenging.

Goalie Stick Usage and Maintenance

Unlike other goalie gear, sticks are pretty versatile and can be used at any level of play—it just depends on what the goalie prefers. No matter which type of stick you choose, proper maintenance can help extend its life. Retaping the stick regularly helps keep moisture out of the blade, keeping the foam, wood, or carbon components in better shape for longer.

Goalie Stick Customization

You can customize your goalie stick in various ways to suit your style and needs. This includes customizing the paddle grip, how you tape the stick, the shaft length, or even the blade thickness. Some goalies like thick knobs on the end of the stick to make it easier to hold during quick transitions, while others prefer specific grips where the shaft meets the paddle for extra control.

Goalies are also starting to use thicker or reinforced blades to help with puck control and give a better snap when shooting. These reinforcements, usually carbon strips, are added in areas where they’re most needed based on the goalie’s preference.