Hockey Stick Sizing & Flex
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Hockey stick sizing
Stick sizing and flex
Things to consider
- Height in skates
- Body weight
- Level of play and shooting style
Length
Standing in skates, a stick that reaches somewhere between your chin and your nose suits most players. Shorter favours puck handling and a quick release; longer favours reach and defending.
Flex
Start at roughly half your body weight in pounds — a 180 lb player lands near an 85 to 90 flex. Go softer if you shoot mostly wrist shots or are still building strength, stiffer if you lean on slap shots.
Cutting a stick down stiffens it by about 5 flex per inch removed, so choose your flex with your final length in mind. Extensions have the opposite effect.
Hand
A left-handed stick means your left hand is the lower hand on the shaft. If you are buying for someone else and are not certain, check which way they naturally hold a broom.
Stick Sizing FAQs
Q: How do I choose the right hockey stick flex?
A: A standard rule of thumb is to start at half your body weight in pounds (e.g., 160 lbs = 75–80 flex). Choose a lower flex for quicker snap shots, or a stiffer flex for heavy slap shots and defensemen.
Q: What happens when you cut a hockey stick?
A: Cutting down a hockey stick makes the shaft stiffer by approximately 3 to 5 flex points for every inch cut off. Most composite sticks have a flex diagram on the upper back shaft indicating the adjusted flex at cut lines.
Q: What is the difference between Low-Kick and Mid-Kick sticks?
A: Low-kick sticks flex near the taper for lightning-fast snap and wrist shots from close range. Mid-kick sticks load through the entire shaft for maximum energy transfer on full slap shots and one-timers.
Stick length is measured with the player standing in skates. A common starting point is a stick that reaches between the chin and the nose in skates.
| Level | Height | Stick length | Typical flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | 3'0" – 3'10" | 38" – 44" | 20 – 30 |
| Youth | 3'10" – 4'8" | 45" – 49" | 30 – 40 |
| Junior | 4'4" – 5'1" | 50" – 54" | 40 – 52 |
| Intermediate | 4'11" – 5'4" | 55" – 58" | 55 – 65 |
| Intermediate | 5'2" – 5'8" | 55" – 58" | 65 – 75 |
| Senior | 5'5" – 5'10" | 57" – 61" | 75 – 85 |
| Senior | 5'9" – 6'1" | 58" – 62" | 85 – 100 |
| Senior | 6'1" and up | 60" – 63" | 100 – 110 |
Flex rule of thumb: start at roughly half your body weight in pounds — a 180 lb player lands near a 85–90 flex.
Cutting a stick down raises its flex by roughly 5 per inch removed, so size the flex before you cut.
Hand: a left-handed stick means the left hand is the lower hand on the shaft.
These charts are a starting point, not a guarantee. Sizing varies between brands and models — check the chart on the product itself before ordering, and contact our team if you are between sizes.
Back to all guidesFrequently asked questions
How do I size and flex a hockey stick?
Standing in skates, a stick that reaches somewhere between your chin and your nose suits most players. Start at roughly half your body weight in pounds for flex — a 180 lb player lands near an 85 to 90 flex. Choose softer if you shoot mostly wrist shots or are still building strength, stiffer if you lean on slap shots.
How does cutting a hockey stick affect flex?
Cutting a stick down stiffens it by about 5 flex per inch removed, so choose your flex with your final length in mind.
How do I determine left or right handed hockey stick?
A left-handed stick means your left hand is the lower hand on the shaft. If you are buying for someone else and are not certain, check which way they naturally hold a broom.