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Hockey Sticks: Head-to-Head Kick Point Comparisons

hockey sticks

Ever walk into the hockey stick section of a sporting goods store? You’re overwhelmed with the number of sticks to choose from.

When you ask the employee for assistance, they might ask you questions related to your preference on stick flex, brand, stick weight, blade curvature, lie, kickpoint, price range and so on.

The process for choosing your stick shouldn’t be this complicated. The various brands introduced these selling point features to differentiate from their competitors.

Let me help simplify the selection process for you into 4 steps, with the first step being the main determining factor:

  1. 1
    What do you look most for in your shot - Power, Quick Release or All-around performance?
  2. 2
    Which blade curve is most suitable for your type of play?
  3. 3
    Which stick flex is ideal for your size?
  4. 4
    How much are you willing to spend? 

That’s it!

In fact, if they don’t have the blade curve available for my preferred stick model, I’d walk away. 

I still have nightmares of not being able to take a slap shot with a heel curve - just couldn’t do it. 

Back then, the stick cost me $30. There’s no way I’m dishing out $300 for a premium composite, lightweight stick and settling with the same result. 

For blade options, you can refer to the curve charts here. Since I'm big on CCM sticks, my preferred curves are P40 (Mackinnon) and P29 (Crosby).

hockey stick blade curves

Scroll to the CCM chart to find the equivalent in other brands. 

From my experience, those two curves allow for effortless stick handling, toe dragging and good puck control for passing and shooting.

When it comes to stick flex, I can toggle between a 75 and 85 because of my weight - I’m 160lbs. To figure out the ideal stick flex, divide your weight (in lbs) by 2 and choose the flex closest to that value.

For example 160lbs / 2 = 80. Stick flex options are 75 and 85. 

Note: Some manufacturers use different flex options such as 77, 87 etc. Always default to the nearest value and figure out if you want more or less flex in your stick for the next time.

Keep in mind that you'll definitely feel the difference in “whippiness” between flexes and will need to adapt for shot control.

In the end, try experimenting with different flexes, blade curves and kick points until you find that sweet spot.

Below, I’ve divided all the sticks in the categories just mentioned: Power, Quick Release or All-around performance.

Each brand uses a COLLECTION name to represent the category. For example, the CCM Ribcor, Bauer Vapor and Warrior Covert represent the Quick Release Shot category.

Furthermore, I've separated them by MODEL type which directly reflects the stick weight and price. I do a side-by-side comparison for the models in each weight class.

That way, if you’re not satisfied with the model you chose the last time around, you can return to these comparative charts. From there, it's easier to determine if try another stick from the same class or make the leap to a lighter stick.

Only composite sticks were used for comparison (i.e wood sticks were left out from the options).

And since we are doing head-to-head comparison for various brands based on kick points, let me start by quickly explaining the term.

Kick Point Explained and Options

The kick point is defined as the softest point or area of the hockey shaft. As a player releases a shot - whether it's a wrist, slap or snap shot - the kick point is the first point where the stick will snap back into place. There is an inverse relationship between shot quickness and power - that is, the quicker the release, the weaker the shot power.

Below, I break down the various areas at which the kick point can be located along the shaft and it's function.

MID KICK POINT (POWER)

If you are looking for a stick that delivers the most power on a slap shot or one-timer, you need a stick with a Mid Kick Point. The softest point is higher along the shaft.

LOW KICK POINT (QUICK RELEASE)

Sticks that allow for a quick release wrist shot or snap shot have a Low Kick Point. The soft point of the shaft is closest to the stick blade.

MID-LOW KICK POINT (ALL-AROUND)

If you’re looking for a stick that doesn’t compromise much on power, and still allows for a quick release, the solution is a Mid-Low Kick Point. The soft point of the shaft is found at the lower end of the stick, but still higher above that for the Quick Release.

Based on my research, I was able to track down six different hockey stick brands accounting for 50 different models.

The tables below will simplify your search options once you've determined which kick point best serves your game and how much you're willing to spend.

1. POWER (MID KICK POINT)

1.1 Super LightWeight

Brand/

Collection

CCM SUPER TACKS

BAUER SUPREME 

Model

AS3 PRO

ULTRASONIC

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

385g

390g

Kick Point

Mid

Mid

Material

Sigmatex Carbon Fiber

Asymmetrical TeXtreme Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

70, 75, 85, 95

70, 77, 87

Price (USD)

$299.99

$299.99

1.2 LightWeight Class I & II

Brand/

Collection

BAUER SUPREME 

BAUER SUPREME 

CCM SUPER TACKS

CCM SUPER TACKS

Model

3S PRO

3S

AS3

Team

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

415g

435g

425g

445g

Kick Point

Mid

Mid

Mid

Mid

Material

TeXtreme Carbon Fiber

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

C6 Carbon Fiber

C6 Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

70, 77, 87

70, 77, 87

70, 75, 85, 95

70, 75, 85, 95

Price (USD)

$259.99

$159.99

$199.99

$159.99

1.3 MidWeight

Brand/

Collection

BAUER SUPREME 

CCM SUPER TACKS

Model

S37

9380

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

465g

500g

Kick Point

Mid

Mid

Material

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Carbon Fiberglass

Flex (Available In)

77

70, 75, 85

Price (USD)

$99.99

$109.99

2. QUICK RELEASE (LOW KICK POINT)

2.1 Super LightWeight Class I

Brand/

Collection

true project x

CCM Ribcor

bauer vapor

warrior covert

Model

Project X

Trigger 5 Pro

Flylite

QRE 10

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

355g

365g

387g

401g (@63 inches)

Kick Point

Low

Low

Low

Low

Material

Carbon Twill, PLD Technology

Sigmatex Carbon Fiber

Asymmetrical TeXtreme Carbon Fiber

Minimus 1500D Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

65, 75, 85, 95

70, 75, 85, 95

70, 77, 87, 102

65, 75, 85, 100

Price (USD)

$329.99

$299.99

$299.99

$279.99

2.2 Super LightWeight Class II

Brand/

Collection

sher-wood rekker M

true project x

bauer vapor

warrior covert

CCM Ribcor

Model

M90

AX9

2X Pro

QRE 20 Pro

Trigger 5

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

380g

393g

413g (@62 inches)

414g

415g

Kick Point

Low

Low

Low

Low

Low

Material

BlackLine 25K Carbon Fiber

Carbon Composite

TeXtreme Carbon Fiber

Minimus 1100D Carbon Fiber

C6 Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

65, 75, 85, 95

75, 85, 95, 105

70, 77, 87, 102

65, 75, 85, 100

70, 75, 85, 95

Price (USD)

$239.99

$259.99

$259.99

$199.99

$199.99

2.3 LightWeight Class I

Brand/

Collection

true project x

bauer vapor

true project x

CCM Ribcor

Model

AX7

2X Team

AX5

Team

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

418g (@59 inches)

429g

434g

445g

Kick Point

Low

Low

Low

Low

Material

Carbon Composite

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Carbon Composite

C6 Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

75, 85, 95, 105

70, 77, 87

75, 85, 95

70, 75, 85

Price (USD)

$179.99

$159.99

$139.99

$159.99

2.4 LightWeight Class II

Brand/

Collection

bauer vapor

CCM Ribcor

Sher-wood rekker m

Warrior covert

Model

X2.7

76K

M80

QRE 30

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

452g

455g

460g

465g

Kick Point

Low

Low

Low

Low

Material

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

C6 Carbon Fiber

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Minimus 900D Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

77, 87

70, 75, 85

65, 75, 85, 95

65, 75, 85, 100

Price (USD)

$109.99

$109.99

$129.99

$149.99

2.5 MidWeight

Brand/

Collection

Warrior covert

true project x

Model

QRE 40

AX3

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

473g

485g

Kick Point

Low

Low

Material

Minimus 500D Carbon Fiber

Carbon Composite

Flex (Available In)

65, 75, 85

75, 85

Price (USD)

$99.99

$99.99

2.6 Under $100 

Brand/

Collection

warrior covert

Warrior covert

SHER-WOOD REKKER M

Sher-wood rekker m

Model

QRE 50

QRE 60

M70

M60

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

?

531g

510g

540g

Kick Point

Low

Low

Low

Low

Material

Here comes some text

Carbon Fiberglass

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Carbon and Fiberglass

Flex (Available In)

75, 85

75, 85

75, 85, 95

85

Price (USD)

$69.99

$59.99

$89.99

$59.99

3. ALL-AROUND (MID-LOW KICK POINT)

3.1 Super LightWeight

Brand/

Collection

CCM JETSPEED

BAUER Nexus 

Sher-wood codE

warrior alpha

stringking

Model

FT3 PRO

GEO

CODE V

DX

Pro

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

380g

390g

390g

395g

410g (@61 inches)

Kick Point

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Material

Sigmatex 18K Carbon Fiber

Asymmetrical TeXtreme Carbon Fiber

BlackLine 25K Carbon Fiber

Minimus 1400D Carbon Fiber

Smart Taper Technology Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

70, 75, 85, 95

70, 77, 87

65, 75, 85, 95

65, 75, 85, 100

75, 85, 95, 105

Price (USD)

$299.99

$299.99

$299.99

$259.99

$259.99

3.2 LightWeight Class I

Brand/

Collection

CCM JETSPEED

BAUER NEXUS

WARRIOR ALPHA

SHER-WOOD CODE

Model

FT3

3N PRO

DX PRO

CODE IV

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

420g

435g

441g (@62.5 inches)

420g

Kick Point

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Material

C6 Carbon Fiber

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Minimus 1000D Carbon Fiber

Pro 12K Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

70, 75, 85, 95

70, 77, 87

65, 75, 85, 100

65, 75, 85, 95

Price (USD)

$199.99

$219.99

$199.99

$189.99

3.3 LightWeight Class II

Brand/

Collection

warrior alpha

ccm jetspeed

bauer nexus

sher-wood code

Model

DX3

Team

3N

CODE III

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

422g

429g

435g

440g

Kick Point

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Material

Minimus 800D Carbon Fiber

Carbon and Fiberglass Blend

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

65, 75, 85, 100

70, 75, 85

70, 77, 87

65, 75, 85

Price (USD)

$149.99

$159.99

$159.99

$139.99

3.4 MidWeight

Brand/

Collection

bauer nexus

ccm jetspeed

sher-wood code

Model

N37

460

CODE II

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

460g

472g

480g

Kick Point

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Material

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Carbon and Fiberglass Blend

Unidirectional Carbon Fiber

Flex (Available In)

 77, 87

75, 85, 95

75, 85

Price (USD)

$109.99

$109.99

$99.99

3.5 Under $100

Brand/

Collection

sher-wood code

ccm jetspeed

Model

CODE I

440

Weight

(@60 inches/85 flex)

520g

550g

Kick Point

Mid-Low

Mid-Low

Material

Carbon Fiberglass

Carbon and Fiberglass Blend

Flex (Available In)

85

85

Price (USD)

$59.99

$59.99

Final Thoughts

Based on my research and own experience, the default choice for kick point is the Low (Quick Release) option.

If you've reviewed the charts above, Low Kick Point sticks are the most abundant compared to the other two. They make up 23 of the 50 sticks.

This comes as no surprise because players tend to shoot more wrist shots than any other shot types. In fact, I've done an analysis of shots administered on net from different areas of the ice. See my blog post here about How are Most NHL Goals Scored.

If you want a personal assessment on how to choose your kick point, consider the following. If you break your stick often off a wrist shot or snap shot, consider moving to the mid-low kick point (all-around).

If you're a stay-at-home defenseman, you can even move to the mid kick point (Power) since you'll want the most out of a shot from far out.

Your height and weight will also play a significant factor. So given that I'm 5'7" and 160 lbs, there is no way that I can assess what works best for someone much bigger than me.

In the end, you'll know which stick works out best for you. I've charted the kick points so that shopping for a hockey stick won't be like choosing a bottle of wine.

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