The Evolution of the Hockey Stick

9 comments April 01, 2021 , Joey Walsh

The Evolution of the Hockey Stick

1800's - The first stick manufacturers emerge in Canada. At this time, sticks are hand carved from a single piece of wood.

1940's - The first laminated sticks are made out of many layers of wood glued together for a lighter and more flexible stick.

1950's - Manufacturers begin wrapping wooden blades with fiberglass for reinforcement, pioneering the use of synthetic materials in sticks.

You can't eat this banana.

1960's - Players begin heating and wedging their blades under doors to create curves. Known as the “banana blade”, slapshots became wildly unpredictable and dangerous before the league put a limit on curves shortly after.

1970's - The sport continues to adopt synthetic materials as fiberglass is now used throughout stick blades and shafts, offering lighter and more durable sticks than ever before.

1980's - Aluminum shafts explode in popularity. While much heavier and stiffer than wood and fiberglass sticks, aluminum sticks offered unprecedented durability.

1990's - Featuring the flexibility of wood and the stability of wooden sticks, composite shafts are rapidly adopted throughout the ‘90s.

2000's and beyond - The one-piece composite stick is introduced, forever changing the sport. Superior to wooden sticks in nearly every category, players of all skill levels make the switch. By the end of the decade, wooden sticks are no longer used at the NHL® level.

Take a look at the top sticks on the market now!