Just like a goalie's padding and equipment, goal sticks are very personal to each individual puck-stopper. After years of facing 100 mph slap shots, most goalies develop very distinct personal preferences for certain sticks and stick characteristics. A stick should match a goalie's playing style, habits, preferences, shooting and handling abilities.

If you are new to the position or are unsure of what to look for, follow these guidelines and ask us for professional advice.

Curves
Younger puck-stoppers (under 12) should not use curved sticks. Inexperienced or recreational players should use straight blades for a couple of years before going with a curve. Learn to stop the puck before shooting it.

Before getting into curved sticks, consider the pros and cons. The only substantial benefit to having a curved goal stick is improved puck handling and shooting. The trade-offs include more difficult poke checking. In the backhand position, the puck can easily slide under the curved area. The blade is usually rockered, which leaves the toe up when the heel is down. Rebounds are also more difficult to control off a curved surface as opposed to a flat surface.

Shaft Length
Grasp the stick as you would in a game with skates on and positioned in your stance. When the blade is flat on the ice, the shaft should not be higher than your shoulder. Be sure to select a stick that meets your length requirements without cutting. Goal sticks are made to balance and cutting the shaft can compromise the balance point as well as the flexibility of the stick.

Paddle Length
When positioned in your stance with the stick blade flat on the ice, the blocker should be positioned between the waist and the bottom knee roll on the pad. If the blocker is too low, the goaltender will lean forward, be unbalanced, and have difficulty with the top corner. If too high, the goaltender will have difficulty with low shots and stick maneuverability.

Lie
Lie is a measure of the angle of the blade. The higher the number, the closer the blocker hand will be to the body when the blade is flat on the ice. Unfortunately, there is no standard unit of measure from one manufacturer to the next so no standard recommendation can be made for lie selection. Lie selection is very much based on personal preference. Incorrect glove position is often mistaken for incorrect lie. Consult a professional for advice.