By Terry Johnson, Original Stix
1800's - The first stick manufacturers emerge in Canada. At this time, sticks are hand carved from a single piece of wood.
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.
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.
7 comments
Imagine Bobby Orr with today’s equipment playing today. He would still be in his own league.
My dad and two uncles owned a hockey stick factory in Lynden, Ontario. I am looking for 2 of the sticks they manufactured. Ex. Apache Pro, Sheppard’s, etc. I would like to find 2 sticks for my basement.
I think I have a 1800 s hockey stick how can I tell if it is?