why did they switch to composite sticks...they seem to break all the time.?

Answer 1

Composite Sticks are easier to carry, and not as heavy as wooden. Most players prefer a composite stick to get a "Flex" in their shot. This is effective for wrist shots and certain slap shot forms. Although they break easier and are more expensive, players find they have better performance with them. Also Wooden Sticks are hard to find on the market.

Answer 2

The velocity of a shot is due in large part to the flex of the stick when taking the shot.

Check out this video. You can see the flex of his stick towards the end of his shot. The composite sticks provide much more flex than wood sticks. This is where the extra velocity comes from when shooting with composite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DezTwGXuUYc&mode=related&search=

In addition to the velocity and weight differences mentioned in the earlier answers, players get the same stick pattern more consistently with composites. NHL players have custom patterns made for them with the curve, lie and some other specifications. When they get a batch of sticks, they are as close to identical as possible because you do not have the inconsistencies that come naturally when working with wood. The weight, curve and kick points are almost identical.

Sometimes when you see the same player repeatedly snapping sticks it could be that the manufacturer shipped a bad batch (see above paragraph referring to consistency) or that the player's pattern has a kick point that is not consistent with the way he shoots.

Another issue is that today's players, on average, are bigger and stronger than they were 20 years ago. I think we might see as many wood sticks breaking if they were more common these days.

Answer 3

From what I am hearing from all these "scientists" I guess if Gretzky and Lemieux had all of this state of the art equipment and super light sticks with more flex, we would be looking at career scoring records of 5000-6000 points, scoring around 150-200 goals a season, I am not disputing the fact that these composites are nice sticks to use but if you think using a $200 composite over a $30 wood stick is going to change your game think again! I am not picking on anyone in particular but I have seen a lot stupid comments on how "amazing" these composites are!

Answer 4

An NHL forward gets 3-4 quality touches per game. As such he's looking for optimal shooting performance out of his stick and composite designs provide a far superior release speed to wood.

An NHL defenseman is looking to get pop on his slap shot or trying to maintain shot velocity when he's hurried on a shot. Composite designs load and release with much more ease than their wood predecessors.

Of course there are some guys who don't need that composite advantage. A guy like Spezza is so big and strong that anything would feel like a toothpick to him anyhow.

Another forward, Ryan Smyth, uses a composite shaft but opts for wood blades for the feel benefits. His game is down low and in front of the net and the majority of his goals are scored from 2 feet out, thereby making composite technology unnecessary to his game.

Now, do you and I NEED this technology for our level of play (assuming you're not a pro hockey player)? Yes and no, but I do wish I had these sticks 15 years ago when I played competitively. I can flat rip a puck with a Stealth and can't get anywhere near the same pop with other products.

However, given my current competition level, I can just as easily get away with a composite shaft/wood blade combo. So while it might be a matter 'want' on a recreational level, there is no questioning the benefits of composite designs at the pro level. Anyone throwing out 'bah-humbugs' at this fact can also be seen playing tennis with a wood racquet.

Answer 5

You'll get all kinds of "expert" answers from weight to torque, but the bottom line:

Because there's more money to be made from the pro's to the mini-mites.

I'm adding the fact that the hardest slap shot recorded by an NHL'er was unleashed by Chad Kilger (106.6 mph) in 2006 using a composite. He broke the 13-year-old record held by Al Iafrate with his wood stick (105.2 mph in the 1993 NHL Skills Competition). (And legend has it that The Golden Jet let one fly at 118.3 mph--wood stick.)

Granted, velocity is only one reason why some prefer composite sticks. My point is that, for most of us, it's not the tools we use but how we use them. Too many developing hockey players are relying on the tools rather than the technique--and the tools are market-driven.

Answer 6

NHL players seem to be willing to compromise that with the promise of a shot that is 10 or 20% harder and faster. The sticks bend easier adding more power to the shot when it snaps back, and adding a whip into the shot. More flexible and lighter - breaks easier.

Answer 7

wood sticks break more often than composite sticks