Best Hockey Sticks For Defensemen

Selecting the best hockey stick for any position can be challenging. You may be tempted to emulate your hero in NHL and find the stick they use to mimic their game.

However, your preferences, your height, and your build could mean that the same stick just does not suit you.

There is no better test of a new hockey stick than trying it out in a big game. With all the right preparation it only takes one touch of the puck to know that something is not quite right.

The puck seems to bounce off the hockey stick instead of remaining under your typically tight control. Your slapshots fail to slap. Instead, they meekly arrive in the gloves of the goaltender.

Put bluntly, there is no best stick for any defined position yet you can find the right one to suit the various aspects of your game. Each hockey stick comes with its specifications.

That can include the length, blade lie, curve, and material. As long as you know what suits you as a defenseman, you can find the best hockey stick for you. 

Product Name	Feature	Check Pricing
STX Stallion HPR2 Ice Hockey Stick	Pros Ultra-High Balance Point Pureblade Power Cons Better For Offense	Price
STX Surgeon RX3	Pros Puregrip Precision Flex II Cons Too Light	Price
CCM Super Tacks 2.0 Pro Grip Composite Team Stick	Pros 250g Swing Weight Low Kick Point Cons Lack of Specialization	Price
Arsenal Covet Performance Carbon Fiber Ice Hockey Stick	Arsenal Covet Performance Carbon Fiber Ice Hockey Stick	Price
Franklin Sports Hockey Stick	Pros Multi-Ply Wood Shaft One-Piece Construction Cons Slightly Heavy	Price

Best For Powerful Defensemen

STX Stallion HPR2 Ice Hockey Stick

Formidable slapshots need a hockey stick that can deliver for powerful defensemen. The further up the shaft the balance point is, the better the weight distribution.

With an ultra-high balance point, you can feel the benefit from a more enhanced feel and playability from the hockey stick, which we liked in our testing. 

Once you are ready to make the slapshot, let the Power Flex enhance the force and let the puck rip. Then there is a 3k carbon fiber weave on the front of the blade for even more power from increased stiffness.

With a more traditional shape in the shaft and a raised texture, you can enjoy increased confidence in your grip to take that slapshot.

Pros

• Ultra-High Balance Point – Enjoy one of the most ideal hockey sticks for weight distribution which helps playability 
• Pureblade Power – A 3k carbon fiber weave on the front of the blade help for a more propulsive shot from increased stiffness
• Square Shaft Geometry – Feel assured going forward up the ice with a stable hold from a conventional shaft design
• Power Flex – More power is generated from a constant flex profile  

Cons

• Better For Offense – Purely defense-minded defensemen may struggle to get the best use out of this hockey stick

Also available directly from STX

Best For Puck Handling

STX Surgeon RX3

For defensemen who like to carry the puck out from the back, you need a hockey stick for effortless puck handling. The innovative design on the STX Surgeon RX3 is ideal for better puck handling and play.

With Puregrip, you can feel closer to your hockey stick with more hand contact points that enable better control.  

A hugely versatile dual-kick point also helps for quicker puck release and Precision Flex II is a slight but noted tweak on the previous design. We liked how lightweight the hockey stick is in our testing which is from high-performance carbon fibers.

Pro-Grit also means more friction on the blade for better puck responsiveness. For enhanced puck handling from the back of the ice, this is the hockey stick for any defenseman. 

Pros

• Pure grip – More puck handling control from an increased number of hand contact points on the underside of the shaft
• Precision Flex II – A re-engineered flex peak to improve your responsive puck handling and play
• Silver Streak – Increased durability and stability from a proprietary resin in the base of the blade
• Pro-Grit – Sand grit applied to the blade means more puck responsiveness from more friction

Cons

• Too Light – This might be considered too light for some defensemen

Also available directly from STX

Best For Versatility

CCM Super Tacks 2.0 Pro Grip Composite Team Stick

With versatility being heralded in modern hockey, the CCM Super Tacks 2.0 Pro Grip Composite Team Stick offers just that and more.

CCM is also one of the leading brands for hockey sticks amongst defensemen and it shows. This hockey stick is designed for players who prefer flexibility above high specialization, which we liked in our testing. 

From the comparatively low swing weight for better maneuverability to the low kick point for ultra kick quick release.

That could be great for forwards but for defensemen, it helps to have a stick that has that capability when you may require it. Shaft reinforcements for sturdiness and a bit more shot power also help.

For a versatile weapon to hold, the CCM Super Tacks 2.0 Stick offers that to develop any defensemen’s game. 

Pros

• 250g Swing Weight – An even weight distribution comes from a balanced hockey stick and enhances maneuverability
• Extra Shaft Reinforcements – Slight reinforcement in the shaft means extra sturdiness for a more formidable pop from your shot
• Low Kick Point – Really quick release for your slapshot

Cons

Lack of Specialization – As an all-round versatile stick, this may not be ideal for those who want to improve a specific aspect of their play

Also available from eBay

Best For A Playmaking Defenseman

Arsenal Covet Performance Carbon Fiber Ice Hockey Stick

Defensemen can be creative too and the Arsenal Covet Performance Carbon Fiber Ice Hockey Stick is ideal for playmakers. For a lightweight carbon composite stick, you can expect great handling. A lot of that excellent responsiveness comes from a blade made from woven carbon fiber.

The A92 curve is common and some playmakers prefer that reliability from a curve they have extensively used. You will also get versatility from a blade to shaft ratio that is well-balanced and an optimized kick point for quick puck release. Above all, the feel of the stick should aid shot accuracy, which we liked in our testing.   

Pros

• Lightweight Performance – Ideal for defensemen who want great handling from a lightweight stick
• A92 Curve – The blade is stiffly made and increased responsiveness comes from woven carbon fiber
• Optimized Kick Point – Quicken that puck release with an optimized kick point
• Balanced Blade To Shaft Ratio – The Covet stick offers versatility from a well-balanced blade to shaft ratio

Cons

• Not Ideal For Those Learning – With a durable performance, this stick is built for those who want to develop their game yet already have some experience

Also available directly from Arsenal

Best For Kids Learning Defense

Franklin Sports Power X Street Hockey Stick

A defenseman has a specific position in the team. Those learning that role may prefer to educate themselves from street hockey before graduating onto the ice.

One of the more renowned sports brands is Franklin and their Sports Power X Street Hockey Stick is ideal for an aspiring defenseman. 

A multi-ply wood shaft is a gratifying experience when learning how to make a slapshot, without any concern of splintering. Though the hockey stick may be a bit heavy, the one-piece construction feels good to hold and the material is long-lasting.

A balanced weight distribution makes passing that bit easier, which we liked in our testing. You can even bend the ABS plastic blade however you like, ideal for defensemen still learning the position.  

Pros

• Multi-Ply Wood Shaft – Ideal for popping off slapshots without worrying about splintering
• One-Piece Construction – Enhances an authentic feel and helps for durability
• Balanced Weight Distribution – Passing is made easier with a lightweight and balanced design
• Customizable ABS Plastic Blade – A durable blade from ABS plastic can be easily curved to your preference

Cons

• Slightly Heavy – Some kids may prefer a lighter stick for street hockey

Also available directly from Franklin

Buyers’ Guide

Certain skills help in such a critical position as a defenseman. You have to cool under pressure while on your end yet there is a requirement for increased versatility. Not only are defensemen expected to defend well, but they can also set themselves by their offensive play. 

Defensemen need a hockey stick they can be confident of taking a slapshot with. Naturally, they want to keep the puck that bit further away from the body so use sticks that come with a lower lie.

That slapshot is also enhanced by a stiffer stick, ideally one with higher flex ratings to get more power. Even details such as a slight curve can make a telling difference for slap and backhand shots.

Above all, finding the best hockey stick for a defenseman means understanding what aspects of your play you want to develop. Whether that is purely the defense, the slapshot, or playmaking. 

The Flex

The flex is another way of describing how stiff a hockey stick is. A good, conventional range to look out for in the flex is between 85 and 95 which should come in a durable design.

Anything below 80 can easily be described as ‘whippy’ and you may quickly prefer more stiffness. Alternatively, a flex of over 100 should be considered as extra stiff and can come in handy for a defenseman. 

The slapshot is a weapon that a defenseman has in their armor. To enhance the power in their slapshot, higher flex ratings in a stick can help.

For a particularly tall or heavy defenseman, you should be looking for hockey sticks that as described as ‘extra flex’ as these should align with your strength and sizable bulk. 

The Blade Curve

Again with the slapshot… a defenseman needs to make the most out of their technique. The curve concerns the blade pattern and the blade should have a curve at the middle, toe, or heel of the blade.

A slight curve can help, specifically for slap and backhand shots as the curve makes it more difficult to elevate the puck and stick-handle. 

Defensemen who have to make slapshots, one-timer shots, and long passes should look out for a heel curve. Typically, defensemen tend to prefer curves at the mid-heel or heel of their stick.

They also like an increased surface area on their curves, simply to give them more chance of blocking pucks and to return them up the ice. A heel curve specifically helps defensemen by stopping shots once they are above the blue line. 

The heel curve can also help defensemen lift pucks out of the zone as well. However, the curves, like a lot of the stick, are down to a defenseman’s personal preference. Some tend to like hockey sticks with a neutral curve or, at most, a mid-curve.

This is because they like to involve themselves in the middle of plays instead of patiently waiting for the play to arrive. 

The blade curve depth on your hockey stick is the measurement between the ice (or any flat surface) and the most faraway point of the blade. For instance, a flat blade means 0 in-depth, zero because it is purely flat.

However, the most popular blade curve depths tend to be between three-eighths and half an inch. 

The Lie

If you want a feature that can enhance your slapshots as a defenseman then consider the lie. This is the angle of the blade to the stick and how you skate will go a long way to determining the lie. A significant amount of hockey players will have a lie between 5 and 5.5.

Certainly, taller players and defensemen prefer a low lie as this helps maintain the puck a bit further from the body. 

The Kick Point

A high kick point can help the hockey stick build up force and formidable power. This is because the kick point refers to where the hockey stick is supposed to bend and recoil the most.

When winding back, you should be able to generate more power from the higher kick point which is ideal for slapshots. 

While a mid or high kick point is ideal for slapshots, a lower kick point is better for a playmaker. Defensemen can be versatile enough to play from the back and may like to remain agile. That means easier stickhandling, wrist shots, and tape-to-tape passes.

If anything, the lower kick point can certainly help for quick release which could be vital if further up the ice.

Length

For having the puck a good distance from your body, you should look for a longer hockey stick. Defensemen and taller players tend to play with their heads up, unlike forwards who prefer to skate low. Having a longer hockey stick helps with this style of play. 

Versatility

There is an argument that young players starting should begin with a versatile hockey stick. A lot of that thinking comes from the idea that balance is key as any hockey player can perform a range of different functions that utilize several skills.

A defenseman can switch from tight puck control to a forceful slapshot in a split second. Having a versatile hockey stick certainly helps to quickly move from one skill to another.  

A very sensitive hockey stick can be more helpful than a powerful one, but balance is highly important. Finding a versatile hockey stick that plays to a defenseman’s specific strengths can help them continue to thrive at their versatile game.

Frequently Asked Questions

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