While a goalie's stick might seem like a no-brainer, selecting a correctly sized twig can be a stick-y subject (ha!). More than just a chunk of wood, your stick needs to fit you correctly to be able to play, pass, and deflect the puck efficiently.
The stick reflects more the personal preference and style of play of the goaltender, rather than the goalies height. Sticks overall have trended smaller in the past few years, with a greater understanding of how too large a stick can create gaps and incorrect angles while trying to direct or play the puck. In my opinion, size your stick for it's ideal height while making a butterfly stick save; you will be able to adjust to play a puck with a smaller stick and have greater success making stick saves.
While stick size is not as defined as other equipment, not all will work for you. Regardless of a twig's composition (wood, foam-core, or composite), sticks will have 'levels' of play (Youth, Junior, Intermediate, Senior), as well as a inch size which refers to the paddle length. The 'level' of a stick should match a goalie's equipment, though, as long as it is comfortable this is not as big of an issue as a glove would be. Shorter goalies like myself may find themselves on the cusp of intermediate or senior in some brands, and I have found no issues using a size down. Generally, the levels will have different levels of flex, materials, and options.
The following is more traditional advice, how I was taught initially and understood it over the years and while it is not necessarily incorrect, I believe the position and understanding has changed in the few years since I wrote this initially:
'To pick a paddle size, a goalie should wear their skates and stand in their ready stance. With the blocker hand gripping the paddle at the very top, an optimally sized stick will have the blade flush with the ground while being roughly 12-24 inches in front of the goalie. The blocker will ideally be just past the edge of the pad, creating neither a hole or double coverage.'
Again, while not totally incorrect, I now believe the ideal stick is sized to make the best stance while making a stick save in the butterfly, preventing a hole under the blocker and incorrect angle (usually a nice ramp right under your arm) from too long of a stick. In my opinion, if your stick is not touching the ice while you are in your movement or even your ready stance, it is not the end of the world. You use your stick while in the butterfly to direct pucks and not while you are standing. A shorter stick will require you to bend a bit farther while playing the puck however, but in my experience this has been an easy adjustment and seemingly has made me more agile in puck handling - your mileage may vary and I am always open to other opinions on the subject!
None of the above examples are exactly perfect, but finding some proved more difficult than expected!
Curve, lie, and flex will all be individual to a goaltender's puck playing ability and style overall. Some blades will have curved toes and heels as well. These should be considered as well when buying a stick.
Finally, stick sizes can vary from manufacture to manufacture, and even between certain lines of sticks of the same companies! Warrior sticks were generally listed about an inch longer than the same sized competitor stick, but as of 2024 lines have moved their sizing to be in line with other brands. Be very aware of this when switching brands and when ordering online.
Having trouble deciding on what stick you need? Looking to mod your own stick? Shoot me a message, I'm glad to help! Looking to mod your own stick? Keep your eyes peeled for next week's instalment!
happy tending,
mek
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