The oldest known hockey stick—in the collection of the Canadian Museum of History—was carved from sugar maple and dates from the mid 1830s. For the next 170 years, wood remained the predominant hockey stick material, until designers
began exploiting the remarkable properties of carbon fiber to create lighter, faster sticks. Over the past two decades, carbon and composite materials have virtually taken over the market, for they allow companies to offer a wide array of sticks
with different qualities and capabilities to match player styles.
Three new sticks for 2017 from Bauer exemplify how rapid technological advances have led to improved performance and increased durability in sticks that are considerably lighter than previous models. Whether you're a defenseman who needs a powerful
stick for blasting slap shots from the blue line or a sniper who prizes quickness and agility that allow you get a shot off in the blink of an eye, there's a new Bauer stick to help you achieve your goals.
Bauer Vapor 1X Lite Grip Composite Stick ($299.99)
The Vapor has always been one of the best quick-release sticks on the market, but the folks at Bauer were determined to improve its stability and durability for 2017. And, boy, did they. The 1X Lite represents a great leap forward in the evolution
of the Vapor line, combining advances in materials and design to create an extremely versatile stick that can serve the needs of many different kinds of elite players. Whether you're trying to make one-touch passes in the slot, stick-handle
through defenders, or really lean into a slap shot, the Vapor 1X light responds accordingly, with feel or power.
Several features contribute to the new stick's backbone. True one-piece Monocomp construction maximizes energy transfer from handle to blade, QRT+ Technology offers better stability through the taper where the shaft meets the blade, and asymmetrical
layers of carbon throughout the taper means that the blade is 20% less likely to open up under pressure. What's even more remarkable is that this improved strength, stability, and durability come in a stick that is 15 grams lighter than its
predecessor, a feat achieved via Advanced Carbon Layering, which uses thinner, stronger carbon fibers. This gives the stick an 11% faster shot release than before. The result is a stick that's light and comfortable in the hand, responsive to
the slightest touch of the puck, and capable of generating a lot of power.
Specifications:
- Suggested level of play: elite
- Construction: one-piece
- Shaft configuration: rounded corners, double concave sidewalls
- Flex point: low kick
- Weight: 397 grams
Bauer Vapor 1X Lite Grip Composite Stick
Bauer Nexus N8000 Grip Composite Stick – 2017 Model ($129.99)
The latest edition of the Nexus N8000 line offers upgrades that add power and accuracy, without giving up the lightweight feel and responsiveness the Nexus is known for. The 3K carbon-fiber shaft has been given a more aggressive taper and corners
that are 14% more round, speeding up both the load and release rates. Combined with a traditional mid-kick point that's been softened at the ends via Sweet Spot technology, this configuration translates into pinpoint control and high velocity,
offering a great balance between feel and speed to help players fire off a hard shot quickly or from awkward positions.
The Pure Shot Blade profile—with extra reinforcement at the transition from shaft to blade—keeps the blade from opening up during hard shots and provides extra stability and durability. BiMax 3K carbon fiber wrapped over a Dual Density
blade core offers better accuracy and feel, so you'll always know where the puck is on your blade. Consequently, you'll be able to hit your target, whether you're going for a snap shot though the five-hole or a bar-down slapper.
Specifications:
- Suggested level of play: performance
- Construction: fused two-piece
- Shaft configuration: rounded corners, double concave sidewalls
- Flex point: mid kick
- Weight: 475 grams
Bauer Nexus N8000 Grip Composite Stick – 2017 Model
Bauer Supreme S170 Grip Stick 2017 ($109.99)
If you're a power player who likes to unload hard one-timers and launch bombs from the blue line—and you don't want to break the bank—then you'll want to check out the new Supreme S170. The squared corners mean the stick is secure
in your hands when you unleash a big shot, and Bauer has improved on its Maximum Kick flex profile by softening the upper handle and stiffening the lower third of the shaft to generate incredible velocity. BRiDGE-Core Technology, which Bauer
inherited when it purchased Easton, provides better stability and control in the blade, which has the same lightweight Pure Shot profile as Nexus N8000. The upshot of all this is a great shooter's stick that's also a good value.
Specifications:
- Suggested level of play: performance
- Construction: fused one-piece
- Shaft configuration: squared corners, double concave sidewalls
- Flex point: high kick
- Weight: 475 grams
Bauer Supreme S170 Grip Stick 2017