How Often Should You Replace Your Hockey Stick?

[ZionChan]

Composite sticks can still look perfectly usable even after they start losing some of their original feel and responsiveness. Do you replace yours only after it breaks, or have you noticed signs that tell you it’s time for a new one?

[Gerald Swanson]

Jumping in on this older post because I have a few thoughts. I've found composite sticks lose their pop and feel gradually, even if the outside looks fine. Watch for weird vibrations on shots or a dead sound when you tap the blade. Small cracks near the hosel are another red flag. Anyone else notice a drop in performance before theirs broke?

[CaitlinHowarth]

Composite sticks definitely wear out before they break. You'll notice the blade starts feeling dead, shots lose their pop, and you get more vibration on passes. Flex also softens over time. If you're missing shots you normally bury, that's a sign. I usually swap mine every season or so depending on how much I play. I picked up replacements at hockeyhorizon.com recently and they had solid pricing on my usual model.