Stars NHL can afford to change expensive clubs, like gloves, going through dozens of models for the season. But for most athletes this luxury cannot afford, and giving a considerable amount of equipment, I want to be sure that at the most crucial moment of the game it will not let you down. Therefore, we have created our own rating of hockey sticks - the highest quality and most technologically advanced of all represented on the market in the last season.
Content:
Solid (true OPS)
BAUER Vapor X (Advanced Series) - the lightest and sharpest stick
The loud new 2018 in the hockey equipment market is lightweight. However, this was not achieved at the expense of savings on the handle - it is still thick-walled, durable and tough.
So that an adult shell could boast a weight of 355-365 g, the manufacturer used innovative technologies: layering of interwoven carbon fibers along the entire length with a simultaneous decrease in binding resins.
Pros:
- The ergonomic narrow stalk with anti-slip coating fits well into the hand;
- "The feeling of the puck" and its best control thanks to a very tough pen;
- A special form of deflection at the lowest point of the projectile (Ultra-low) for more accurate shots;
- The original taper allows less refinement of the reception of passes with brushes;
- Increase feed rate by about 10%;
- Perfect balancing.
Minuses:
- Limited edition - all such sticks released 3000 copies;
- High cost (almost 30 thousand rubles are being asked for a novelty).
CCM JetSpeed is a true all-rounder
After several failure models of hockey equipment, the SSM company released a really worthy and durable stick, which pleasantly surprised fans of the brand. It is made in a new fashion from the “cosmic” carbon and is considered universal in the best sense of the word, that is, it shows itself equally well in all scenarios of working with the puck.
Pros:
- 3 types of bends in the range - from aggressive P28 to softer P30;
- Reinforced toe and heel feathers;
- The hook perfectly dampens the vibrations of the puck and at the same time provides the player with a clear "feedback";
- Soft reception of passes;
- Hybrid deflection, providing both good speed and control over the washer - depending on the characteristics of the grip;
- Relatively light weight 416 g.
Minuses:
- The price is about 16 thousand rubles - despite the fact that some of the technologies implemented here are lapped from other manufacturers.
CHARGE AK47 - a good stick of domestic production
The second generation of new Russian clubs, unlike the peeling and fragile pilot shells of a young manufacturer, turned out to be more competitive. The AK47 received thin but tough hooks, a carbon-fiber shirt without external dyeing, a perfectly smooth taper transition and good flexibility of the handle while simultaneously reinforcing the ribs.
Pros:
- Pleasant grip-coating on the handle - without too much stickiness;
- Weight about 415 g and well-chosen balance;
- Sensibly dampens vibration when taking the puck;
- Excellent click due to increased hook stiffness, and a low deflection ensures quick and sharp throws;
- The ability to order the application on the shaft of the logo, surname or player number;
- Available cost of 9-10 thousand rubles - for a professional club it is inexpensive.
Minuses:
- Old-fashioned design;
- Little technical information on the stick itself.
Compound (fused OPS)
EASTON Synergy HTX - clear and tough
The club with mid-kick deflection is available in two versions - with and without a non-slip shaft cover (it is easy to distinguish them from each other by the colors of the decor). The projectile is made of light carbon, although the composite structure still increased its weight to 450 g. But the feather here turned out to be interesting, since its rigidity is not the same throughout the length and increases from the heel to the end of the hook.
Pros:
- Allows you to make powerful throws with a significant acceleration of the puck;
- The stiffness of the pen is adjusted to the characteristics of the stick handle;
- In addition to the Grip, the grip with the shaft also provides the applied textured design - even wet gloves do not slide over it;
- Great washer feeling;
- Minimum rebound at the moment of receiving a hard gear;
- Sharp shots and throws, however, for this you have to try to work the end of the pen or beat with a delay;
- Long service life - these clubs break less often than others;
- Price 8.5-9 thousand rubles.
Minuses:
- Unlike the club itself, its outer coating is easily damaged “in combat”.
GRAF Revolt G95 - soft stick with ultra-thin feather
The stick from the Swiss manufacturer has a classic middle location of the point of deflection on the handle and a tightly soldered hook, which makes the shell look like monolithic models of the first echelon. G95 is made of carbon fiber and fiberglass, which provided the stick weight 412 g in the adult category SR. And yet it feels a bit harder due to weak weight distribution.
Pros:
- Does not slip in hands thanks to the relief and not flaking grip on the handle;
- The concave walls of the rectangular shaft do not allow the stick to turn when throwing;
- Balanced strength and sharpness characteristics of the throw thanks to the universal mid-deflection, but they are best shown in hard versions of 95-flex and higher;
- Ultrathin pen, the thickness of which in the narrowest place does not exceed 2-3 mm;
- 4 longitudinal ribs in the hook, providing it with enviable stiffness, plus foam, which does not allow the washer to bounce;
- Despite the flexibility of the neck, even with powerful blows, it does not break.
Minuses:
- The black handle, covered with varnish, quickly salted, because of which the projectile acquires an untidy appearance.
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