ARCANE - ULTRA LOW KICKPOINT

When you lean on your stick to shoot, it bends. The kickpoint is the spot where it bends the most. When the stick snaps back, that's where your power comes from.

Where that bend sits changes how your shot comes off the blade.

LOW KICK

The bend sits down near the blade. Less time to load, faster release, the puck's gone before the goalie's set. Built for wristers, snappers and anything in tight. The trade-off is you give up a bit of raw power on a full slapper.

For: the player who shoots first and passes never.

MID KICK

The bend sits in the middle of the shaft. Takes a bit more effort to load, but when it does, it hits hard. Built for slappers, one-timers and big shots from the point.

For: the D who thinks every shot from the blue line is a good idea.

DUAL / HYBRID KICK

The stick works out where to flex based on where your hands are. Hands close together for a quick snapper, it flexes low. Hands spread for a big one, it flexes higher. Best of both worlds.

For: the player who can't decide, and now doesn't have to.

THE SHORT VERSION

Shoot quick and close? Go low. Shoot hard and far? Go mid. Do a bit of everything? Go hybrid.

Still not sure? Drop us a line. We'll tell you straight, even if the answer's the cheaper stick.

The curve is the bend in your blade. It decides where the puck sits, how it comes off the blade, and how high it goes. Two things matter most:

Where the curve sits. Closer to the heel or middle gives you control and easier passes. Closer to the toe gives you quick release and dangles.

How open the face is. The more the blade tilts back, the easier it is to lift the puck. Great for roofing it. Less great for keeping it down.

P88: THE SENSIBLE ONE

Mid curve, only slightly open. Back in the day, this was the pattern. Easy passes, solid backhand, and shots that stay low and go where you aimed them. Most players have moved on to something with a bit more curve, but some of the best hands at the rink still swear by it.

For: the player who passes the puck. Yes, they exist.

P29: THE CROWD FAVOURITE

Mid curve with an open face. Lifts the puck easily, still handles well, still passes fine. There's a reason half the rink uses this pattern. Also called a P92.

For: anyone who can't decide. Also anyone who can, honestly. Most people go this one.

P86: THE SHOWOFF

Sits between the P29 and the P28. The familiar shape of a mid curve with an extra hook toward the toe. More snipe than the P29, more control than the P28.

For: the player who's started practising toe drags in the carpark. Celebrini uses this one.

P28: THE SNIPER

Big toe curve, wide open face. Gets the puck up in a hurry and makes dangles feel easy. The trade-off is your backhand and passing get a bit harder, and some of your shots will end up in the netting.

For: the player whose stats are all goals and zero assists. Kucherov uses this one.

THE SHORT VERSION

Want control? P88. Want a bit of everything? P29. Want to show off a bit? P86. Want to go top shelf every time and let God sort out the backhand? P28.

Still not sure? Drop us a line and tell us how you play. We'll set you straight.

Sticks break. It's hockey. We get it.

At the pro shop, a broken stick means forms, photos, a three-week wait and someone telling you it was "user error." Here, it means sending us a message and a couple of photos.

How it works: Snap it within 30 days under normal play and we'll replace it for you (or exchange for somethign similar if you want) . Send us a photo and a quick yarn about what happened. That's it.

What's not covered: Slashing the crossbar after a bad shift. Using it as a shovel. Your mate driving over it in the carpark. We'll still hear you out, mind you. We're reasonable, not stupid.

Out of warranty? Still message us. We'd rather keep you on the ice than win an argument.

ARCANE - ULTRA LOW KICKPOINT

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