Ice hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires skill, speed, and strength. But it also requires the right equipment, especially when it comes to the most important tool of the game: the hockey stick. Ice hockey sticks are not just pieces of carbon fiber composite material that you use to shoot, pass, and carry the puck. They are also expressions of your personality, your preferences, and your performance.
There are many types of ice hockey sticks available in the market, with different features, prices, and brands. But what kind of ice hockey stick buyer are you? Do you buy the most expensive stick because you want others to see you with it? Do you buy the latest stick because you think it will make you a better player? Do you buy the cheapest stick because you want to save money? Or do you buy the coolest stick because you want to stand out from the crowd?
In this blog post, we will outline the four most common types of ice hockey stick buyers: the status seekers, the performance chasers, the budget conscious, and the style conscious. We will also give you some tips on how to choose the best ice hockey stick for you, regardless of what type of buyer you are.
The Status Seekers
The status seekers are the ice hockey stick buyers who want to impress others with their expensive and flashy sticks. They buy the most premium and high-end sticks, regardless of whether they need them or not. They want to show off their wealth, their taste, and their status. They think that having the best stick will make them the best player, or at least make others think so.
The status seekers are not necessarily bad players, but they are not necessarily good players either. They may have some skill and talent, but they sometimes may rely more on their equipment than on their abilities. They may not care about the quality, the durability, or the fit of their sticks, as long as they look good and cost a lot. They may not even use their sticks properly, or take good care of them.
The status seekers are the ice hockey stick buyers who are most likely to buy the following sticks:
- Bauer Proto-R
- CCM Jetspeed FT Ghost
The Performance Chasers
The performance chasers are the ice hockey stick buyers who want to improve their game with their cutting-edge and trendy sticks. They buy the latest and most hyped sticks, regardless of whether they suit them or not. They want to follow the trends, the reviews, and the endorsements. They think that having the newest stick will make them a better player, or at least give them an edge over their opponents.
The performance chasers are not necessarily good players, but they are not necessarily bad players either. They may have some potential and ambition, but they rely more on their equipment than on their training. They may care about the features, the technology, or the brand of their sticks, but not about the feel, the comfort, or the compatibility. They may not even know how to use their sticks properly, or adjust to them.
The performance chasers are the ice hockey stick buyers who are most likely to buy the following sticks:
- Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2
- CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro
- CCM Ribcore Trigger Pro 8
The Budget Conscious
The budget conscious are the ice hockey stick buyers who want to save money with their economical and practical sticks. They buy the cheapest and most basic sticks, regardless of whether they like them or not. They want to be frugal, sensible, and smart. They think that having the best value stick will make them the best saver, or at least make others think so.
The budget conscious are not necessarily bad players, but they are not necessarily good players either. They generally have some skill and talent and rely more on their abilities than on their equipment. They may care about the price, the durability, or the function of their sticks, but not about the quality, the performance, or the fit. They may not even use their sticks properly, or replace them when needed.
The budget conscious are the ice hockey stick buyers who are most likely to buy the following sticks:
- CCM Jetspeed FT670
- Bauer Nexus E3
- Last year's closeout models
- Used sticks
- Anything they can get for free
The Style Conscious
The style conscious are the ice hockey stick buyers who want to stand out from the crowd with their cool and unique sticks. They buy the most colorful and fashionable sticks, regardless of whether they match them or not. They want to be original, creative, and fun. They think that having the coolest stick will make them the coolest player, or at least make others think so.
The style conscious are not necessarily bad players, but they are not necessarily good players either. They may have some skill and talent, but they rely more on their equipment than on their personality. They may care about the design, the appearance, or the brand of their sticks, but not about the features, the technology, or the performance. They may not even use their sticks properly, or customize them to their liking.
How to Choose the Best Ice Hockey Stick for You
Whether you are a status seeker, a performance chaser, or neither, you should choose the best ice hockey stick for you, not for others. The best ice hockey stick for you is the one that fits your style, your budget, and your needs. Here are some tips on how to choose the best ice hockey stick for you:
- Consider your skill level. If you are a beginner or an intermediate player, you may not need the most expensive or the most advanced stick. You may be better off with a more affordable or a more basic stick that can help you develop your skills and confidence. If you are an advanced or an elite player, you may benefit from the most premium or the most high-end stick that can enhance your performance and potential.
- Consider your playing style. If you are a shooter or a sniper, you may want a stick that has a low kick point, a stiff flex, and a big curve. This can help you generate more power, accuracy, and lift on your shots. If you are a passer or a playmaker, you may want a stick that has a high kick point, a soft flex, and a small curve. This can help you create more control, touch, and finesse on your passes.
- Consider your personal preference. If you are a left-handed or a right-handed player, you may want a stick that has a left or a right orientation. This can help you feel more comfortable and natural on the ice. If you are a tall or a short player, you may want a stick that has a long or a short length. This can help you have more reach and leverage on the puck. If you are a heavy or a light player, you may want a stick that has a heavy or a light weight. This can help you have more balance and agility on the ice.
The Bottom Line
Ice hockey sticks are not just tools, they are also investments. You should invest in the best ice hockey stick for you, not for others. You should not buy a stick because it is expensive, because it is new, or because it is popular. You should buy a stick because it is quality, because it is suitable, and because it is effective. You should buy a stick that can help you enjoy the game, improve your skills, and achieve your goals. Our goal at HKY IQ is to help you get fit into the best stick for YOU!
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about ice hockey sticks. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please let me know. Thank you for reading! 😊