After doing tons of research online in an effort to educate myself about hockey sticks, I finally did something smart and just went down to the pro shop at my local hockey rink. All that research wasn't wasted, but it's easy to be overwhelmed with information that you don't necessarily need at first. I was close to "analysis paralysis" because I was trying to juggle so many bits of knowledge, hoping to get the perfect stick on my first try.
Honestly, the perfect stick isn't going to help. As a beginner, you're going to stink, and it doesn't matter much which stick you use. In a way, it's very liberating to realize that.
But I pretty much knew what I wanted, and when I went into the shop I talked to the guys there, explained that I was an absolute beginner and let them know the following things:
1. I didn't want an expensive stick. In fact, last year's model on clearance would make me happy.
2. I was pretty sure I wanted wood, mostly because it was cheaper than composite.
3. I was pretty sure I was going to be a right handed shot.
Item 2 was right out the window. This particular shop had gotten rid of the last of the wooden stick inventory months before, and had no plans to get more.
Item 3 was easy to confirm. I made a few "shots" using both righty and lefty sticks, and it just felt better for me to use the right handed sticks.
Item 1 was where I hit the jackpot. The stick I selected was on clearance from *two* years before, and was quite a bit less than I was willing to spend. While "trying it out" the guy asked me how it felt, and I had to laugh because I had no idea whether it felt good or not. My first stick is a GRAF PK330 Sr.
I bought the stick, a roll of white tape, and a stickhandling practice ball. Now all I had to do was practice. A lot. Alone. To avoid embarrassment.
I was very happy.
So what about you? What stick do you have? Are you happy with it? I'm always looking for feedback, so feel free to leave a comment below.
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