Hockey stick length: how long should it be?

Stand the stick on its toe in front of you. With skates on, the top of the shaft should reach somewhere between your chin and your nose. In shoes, aim for the nose, since skates lift you about two inches. That is the starting point. From there, a little longer helps reach, a little shorter helps control.

How to measure it

Put the stick upright, blade toe on the floor, shaft against your body. Note where the butt end lands. On skates, chin height is a balanced default that works for most players. Do it in your gear if you can, because skates change the answer.

Longer or shorter, and why

• Longer, up toward the nose: more reach for poke checks and a longer lever for slap shots. Defensemen often like this.
• Shorter, down toward the collarbone: quicker hands in tight and a lower stance. Forwards who stickhandle in traffic often like this.

Neither is right or wrong. It follows how you play.

Cutting changes the flex

Here is the part people miss. Every inch you cut off the top makes the shaft stiffer, by roughly a few points of flex per inch. So a trimmed 77 plays stiffer than 77. If you plan to cut a stick down a lot, factor that in, or start one flex softer. The full picture is in hockey stick flex, explained.

Start long when unsure

You can always take length off. You cannot add it back. If you are between two lengths, buy the longer one and trim to taste. Our size classes give you a sensible starting length per player: about 58 inches Junior, 62 Intermediate, 65 Senior. Details in how to choose a hockey stick.

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