The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
Just curious as to what some of you guys spend? I can't justify spending 100+ on a stick. I basically stick with older model sticks that I can nab for around 30-50 dollars.
I just buy them on Hockey Monkey and go for the cheapest ones. Depending on how cheap is how many I'll buy. The latest I bought was five $35 sticks. If it's closer to $60, I'll only get three.
I have only ever spent more than $75 on a stick once. It was really nice but not durable at all. Then I was talking to other people and they were saying the more expensive sticks never last as long because the cheaper ones are made of fiberglass. I'd much rather get less performance out of them (especially since I'm not that good anyway so it's not like I even know how to use it whatever added performance you'll get) and save tons of money.
I use aluminums and try to spend as little as I can on blades when they need replacing. I've spent anywhere from $7 from a local shop that has a lot of old stock, to $50 for when I couldn't find any deals and needed one quickly.
I buy inexpensive sticks myself, can't really justify spending more than about $40 on a stick. I like how solid and steady a wooden stick feels in my hands - a friend let me try one of his super-light $200 composite sticks and I didn't really like the feel of it at all. Granted it was much different than what I'm used to, but I don't think it would be worth my while to try to get used to that type of stick.
Usually my max for a stick is $200 dollars, I know a cheaper stick would do but some of the high end sticks are just so damn light! Plus most sticks I have dropped a lot of money on end up lasting quite a while and the price ends up being justified.
$100 feels like the sweet spot for me. Obviously I prefer to pay less but there is a big difference between a $50 composite and and $100 composite. The difference between $100 and $200 (to me) is much smaller.
I bought a 3-pack of Reebok 8K shafts on clearance for $66 a piece and then got a matching set of 8K blades for about $38 a piece. So $104 per stick for a nice, super light stick setup. Not bad.
Being so into the sport/industry, I won't use anything less than high-end. Not to sound snobbish, but it often works out due to employee discounts and such. Normally to try a top end stick anywhere from $150-$170 would be the top (not retail pricing), but I did blow $300+ on a custom Widow, but there was sentimental value in it...
I've found 100 for both my player and goalie sticks seems to be where I end up. Anything more than that seems overkill and anything less just doesn't feel like what I want. The most I've ever spent was 120 on a Warrior Swagger goal stick. Thankfully when I play out I use intermediate sticks but now those are priced similar to the senior models.
I'm not trying to sound like a *********. However, when I was playing minor hockey...my parents always bought me top of the line goalie gear. Every two years, I would get a new set. I've come to appreciate what my parents have done for me throughout minor hockey, and in life.
With that being said, I left the house when I was 18. Now that I'm 24, and married...playing beer league, I've realized how hard it is to buy top of the line gear. I no longer play in net, and switched to playing out. I still buy top of the line of the gear, as I'm still into the sport. Again, not trying to sound like a *********...but I'm so used to top of the line gear, I can't go back.
I'm not trying to sound like a *********. However, when I was playing minor hockey...my parents always bought me top of the line goalie gear. Every two years, I would get a new set. I've come to appreciate what my parents have done for me throughout minor hockey, and in life.
With that being said, I left the house when I was 18. Now that I'm 24, and married...playing beer league, I've realized how hard it is to buy top of the line gear. I no longer play in net, and switched to playing out. I still buy top of the line of the gear, as I'm still into the sport. Again, not trying to sound like a *********...but I'm so used to top of the line gear, I can't go back.
There's a lot to be said about top of the line gear...cause at the end of the day if you don't plan on upgrading every season, they should last you years. I wouldn't recommend getting your 10 year old a set of total one pads since he/she will grow out of it in a week, but for us adults I think it's fine to splurge on something that will be durable and protect us a little better than the low end models.
Sticks however, I think are not worth the 250 price tag. Guys in the NHL could do what they do (maybe just not as well and consistently) with a 20 dollar street hockey stick you can buy at a local sporting good store.
There's a lot to be said about top of the line gear...cause at the end of the day if you don't plan on upgrading every season, they should last you years. I wouldn't recommend getting your 10 year old a set of total one pads since he/she will grow out of it in a week, but for us adults I think it's fine to splurge on something that will be durable and protect us a little better than the low end models.
Sticks however, I think are not worth the 250 price tag. Guys in the NHL could do what they do (maybe just not as well and consistently) with a 20 dollar street hockey stick you can buy at a local sporting good store.
I respect what you have to say. However, you don't think there is a big difference from a Bauer Nexus 1000 or a Easton Mako to a $60.00 Winnwell? Do I need a $300.00 stick? probably not. Can I use my Bauer Nexus effectively? I think so.
By no means are you doing what I'm about to say...I just need to say it lol...
I really hate it when people would come up to me, my teammates or really anyone who purchase top end gear. Is it really my fault that I can afford top end gear? Is it my fault that I enjoy having top end gear? I don't get where these people are coming from. I love the game, I have a passion for the game and it so happens to be that I spend a good amount of money on gear...Who gives a ****?
I paid 200 bucks for my APX. It's my money and I can do what I want with it. What NHL players can do with a street hockey stick is irrelevant.
I would probably go for cheaper sticks if I were in the habit of breaking them, but I have never broken a composite, so I don't feel bad spending a lot of money on a stick that's going to last me several years.
I try and find clearance models for $100-150 but being broke lately I've been using cut down broken OPS shafts with tapered blades. I don't break sticks at all so have no issues using a $200 stick which would last at least a year on average.
I saw an old teammate who's been using the same One95 for four years now. And a guy on my team has been using a Stealth CNT since he bought it several years ago. Amazing.
I have to use a medium to high end stick. I started out with a 40 dollar Sherwood; now I'm switching between top end Bauer and Easton. The difference is astronomical even for someone whose not a top player.
I usually buy my sticks with gift cards & reward points from my LHS. I have never actually paid for a top end (230-250US) stick in full with cash. The most I spent was $200 for my Nexus 1000. It was $250 and I had a $50 gift card. I think for people first starting out they may want to try something less expensive as they really won't be able to get anything out of a high end stick. However if you played for a year or so and you want a high end stick I don't see why not.
My first top-of-the-line stick was actually a present, but it did convert me to the dark side. Those sticks are just that much better. Since I've bought some pretty expensive sticks (6 to be exact, 3 of them on sale), but did not break any of them so far. Well one warrior got a crack in the blade, but that happens with any stick if someone step on them.
I don't spend much on anything else, so why not. And they're beautiful.
I generally like to keep the price anywhere from $100 to $150; although I've spent more on specific sticks. I miss the days when the online retailers were blowing out the Nike-Bauer XXV's.
I really hate it when people would come up to me, my teammates or really anyone who purchase top end gear. Is it really my fault that I can afford top end gear? Is it my fault that I enjoy having top end gear? I don't get where these people are coming from. I love the game, I have a passion for the game and it so happens to be that I spend a good amount of money on gear...Who gives a ****?
yea, not to mention most people splurge at the bar or different restaurants, throwing a lot of money away
anyway, stick is the only part of equipment i'm a little hesitant to spend top dollar on cause of their attrition rate
sometimes it is a pain to find deals on right handed stick that have a normal small curve. when looking for bargains locally seem to find either those banana blade curves or the type with a curve that looks like golf club or it's been warped 3 different ways from sunday.
as you can probably tell by my descriptions of curves, I am an old defensive defenceman who usual spends a lot more time passing, dumping, sticking checking, poke checking, etc. than shooting.
