Hockey Stick

Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOC : Hockey Stick

In climatology, the "Hockey Stick graph" is a nickname for a rising temperature reconstruction. In finance, the expression "hockey stick diagram" refers to the payout diagram of a call or put option.

A hockey stick is the equipment used to handle a man in ice hockey, field hockey or roller hockey. The stick is generally about 1.5 meters long with a flat blade 10 to 15 cm long at the end which contacts the ice. The blade describes about a 45 degree angle, giving the stick a partly L-shaped appearance. This blade is sometimes curved (in the direction toward which the skater moves forward), to aid in retaining or lifting the puck. The shaft of the stick is fairly rigid, but it has some flexibility to benefit some hockey shots. In field hockey, the stick is somewhat shorter and has a U-shaped end or blade.

Contents

1 Shaft

1.1 Flexibility

2 Blade

2.1 Illegal curve
2.2 Tape

3 In culture
4 External links
5 References

Shaft

Hockey sticks have traditionally been made from wood, but in recent years, sticks made of more expensive Aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber and other composite materials have become common. In addition to weighing less, composite sticks can be manufactured with more consistent flexibility properties than their wooden counterparts. These sticks have replaceable wood blades. Composite sticks, despite their greater expense, are now commonplace at nearly all competitive levels of the sport, including youth hockey. In 1981, Easton Hockey introduced the first aluminum hockey shaft. It revolutionized the stick industry, and gained popularity in the NHL. In 1992 the Swiss factory, Composites Busch SA, introduced the first one-piece composite stick: the BUSCH Goldline used from his birthdate from the 2 Russian star: Slava Bykov and Andrej Khomutov. Busch was reached by competitor only eight years later when Easton introduce in the market their "Synergy", a one-piece composite stick.

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The newest hockey stick material includes [nanotube] technology. This gives more durability and flexibility to the stick compared to traditional composite sticks. Nanotube-technology is used in Montreal's new Nitro-sticks, and the all new Easton Stealth CNT. Though these sticks are very durable, and perform well, they are very expensive. Typical one-piece sticks range between $80-$220.

The "lie" of a stick refers to the angle between the shaft and the blade. Lie is coded by manufacturers as either 5, 6 and 7; most sticks now being near 5.5.[link]

Flexibility

The whip, the bend, the stiffness, the flex; all terms used to describe how your stick bows when taking a shot. The flex is printed on the side of the stick, typically ranging from 70 and 110. This number corresponds to the force that it takes to deflect or bend the shaft one inch. For example, a 100 flex requires 100 pounds force (444 N) to bend the shaft 1 inch. A 90 flex requires 90 pounds force (400 N) to bend the shaft 1 inch, and so on.
Aggressive and defensive players lean towards using stiff shafts for stick-checking and controlled slap shots. For a decent slap shot the blade of the stick makes contact with the ice a few inches before the puck. The shaft bends (gets preloaded), loading it full of potential energy, then as you pull the stick through that bend it snaps back into position as it makes contact with the puck. All this force is transferred into the puck.
Finesse style players generally prefer flexible and light weight shafts for wrist shots or snap shots stick handling and shot accuracy. A flexible shaft provides more whip which translates into more velocity on shots. Smaller players tend to use more flexible shafts to increase power on slap and wrist shots.

Blade

At inception of the sport, the blade of the hockey stick was uncurved. Stan Mikita was the first NHL player to use a curved blade.[link] A great deal of attention is placed on the contours of a stick's curve. A Toe Curve is used by Sergei Federov, while a Heel Curve is used by Brian Leetch and Eric Lindros.[link] In general a forward player who takes a lot of wrist shots would prefer a toe curve while a defenceman who takes slap shots would require a heel curve.[link]

Illegal curve

The curve of the blade is subject to strict rules in all levels of hockey. If the curve exceeds 1/2 an inch, the player is generally given a minor penalty.[link] This can be tested by lying the stick flat, and attempting to slip a puck or a vertical dime under the blade without touching. More accurate measurements can be made using a device which some referees are equipped with.

Tape

The blade of the stick is nearly always wrapped partially in hockey tape. This is generally done to improve friction for the puck, and avoid water damage. The tape is generally replaced once its friction is impaired, or it begins to feel heavy.[link] Prefered amounts of puck adhesion vary among players. Wayne Gretzky used high-friction tape, but then applied baby powder to lower its friction.[link] There exists more products to apply after tape, in order to improve adhesion, and are described [here].
There is also variation in colour, white or black being predominant. Luc Robitaille, uses black tape in the first and third periods, but white tape in the second.[link]

In culture

In business a "hockey stick graph" [link] is an absurdly optimistic projection of business growth which is flat for a long time like the handle of a hockey stick and then suddently turns upward like the blade of a hockey stick.

External links

References

[Is Your Shaft Stiff Enough] Reviewed Nov 9 2004 BeerLeagueHockey.com
[http://www.hockeyplayer.com/artman/publish/article_369.shtml]
[http://proicehockey.about.com/od/hockeyglossary/g/Illegal_Stick.htm]

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