Choosing an ice hockey goalie stick

Choosing the proper size goalie stick is important for any ice hockey goalie.  It will affect your stance, puck handling abilities, and general comfort level in the crease.  Fortunately, choosing the correct stick is an easy and straightforward process.

First choose a stick with the correct lie; left or right.  The lie of a stick is the side of your body the blade will be on when in the standard position or when playing the puck.  For example a goalie who uses a right hand blocker will use a left-lie stick.

Next, pick a stick with a good weight and feel to it.  This doesn't mean you need to reach for the over $100 sticks, but you will at least want something comfortable to hold.  Plenty of good sticks can be had in the $40-50 range.

Finally, you'll want to choose the proper size of the stick.  When looking at the size of the stick you are mainly concerned with the paddle length. The paddle is the wide portion of the stick extending from the heel of the stick to the shaft.  Place you blocker hand at the top of the paddle.  Just as you would hold the stick during a game.  Then get into your basic goal stance.  When holding the stick your blocker hand should be in a comfortable postion for the stance with the blade flat on the ground and the stick slightly angled in front of you.  Try different paddle lengths until you get this general fit.  Also, remember that your goalie skates will add a few inches to your height.  To make it easier you could wear your goalie skates at the store.  Most hockey shops will have no problem with this.