A goaltender’s stick doesn’t really play that big of a role in their overall game, right?

Wrong. Goalie sticks, while seemingly a simple piece of equipment at a glance, play a very important role in a goaltender’s overall posture and positioning – not to mention puck handling. Too small or too large of a stick, and a goalie may be forced to adjust their stance in a way that negatively effects their game. So, what should goalies look for in a stick – and when is it time for young goalies to acquire a new stick? Here’s a look:

Goalie Sticks: A Guide

For adult goalies, choosing a new stick is fairly simple. It becomes more complicated for young, growing goalies because they’re likely to outgrow their goalie sticks over time. That’s why it’s important for young goalies – and their coaches – to pay close attention to their stance and posture throughout the year to ensure the stick doesn’t compromise their performance between the pipes. Here’s a look at what to look for in selecting a new goalie stick:

• Look for the lie:

  When it comes to goalie sticks, this is a number that dictates the paddle and blade of a stick. So, for instance, small goalies will select a lower-numbered lie so the stick blade rests flat on the ice surface. Taller goalies will likely choose higher-numbered lies for the same reason. If you had a stick with an 11 lie then hit a growth spurt, you’ll likely need to move up to a 13 or 14 lie on your new stick.

• Get in posture:

  Take your goalie skates with you to the store (or try on a pair of the store’s skates) to better get a feel for posture when selecting the stick. Pick out a few sticks you like and then see how they feel when in the goalie stance. Do you have to adjust the stance to accommodate the stick? If so, it’s not for you.

• Watch the blocker:

  In the goalie stance, a good stick will translate to the blocker positioned to the side of the pad. A poorly-sized stick will result in some blocker, pad overlap.

Rick Heinz Goalie Schools offers skills development and training for young goalies. For more information, contact us today.