Choosing the right hockey stick is one of the most important equipment decisions you’ll make. The correct stick size and flex can improve puck control, shot power, accuracy, and overall confidence on the ice—while the wrong one can hold your game back.
Whether you’re brand new to hockey or a seasoned player fine-tuning your setup, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hockey stick sizing, including the differences between Senior, Intermediate, Junior, and Youth sticks.
Key Things to Know Before Choosing a Stick
There’s Overlap Between Categories
Hockey stick categories are often grouped by age and size, but players grow at different rates. Height, weight, strength, and personal preference matter just as much—sometimes more—than age alone.
General Stick Length Guideline
A good starting point for stick length is to have the stick land:
- Between your bottom lip and the bottom of your nose
This measurement is taken while standing flat-footed with the stick in front of you (no skates). Defensemen may prefer longer sticks, while forwards often choose slightly shorter sticks for puck control.
General Flex Guideline
As a rule of thumb:
- Stick flex ≈ half your body weight
For example, a 160 lb player will often feel comfortable starting around an 80 flex. Skill level, strength, and shot mechanics can all influence this choice.
How Stick Height Is Measured
All stick heights referenced use industry-standard shaft measurements:
- Measured from the top of the shaft to the heel of the blade
- Total stick height (top to ground) is typically 5–6 inches longer
Senior Hockey Sticks
- Typical shaft height: 60"–62" (extended options up to 68")
- Recommended for: Ages 14+, players 5'6"+, 140 lbs+
- Flex range: 65–130+ (up to 155 for pro stock)
Senior sticks feature the thickest shaft shape and the widest range of flex options. They’re designed for stronger players who generate more power and prefer a solid feel when shooting.
Intermediate Hockey Sticks
- Typical shaft height: 57"–59"
- Recommended for: Ages 11–16, 4'6"–5'5", 110–140 lbs
- Flex range: 55–65
Intermediate sticks have a slightly smaller shaft shape than senior sticks, making them easier to handle for players with smaller hands. They’re also popular among adult women players.
Many players choose extended-height intermediate sticks to maintain senior-style length while benefiting from a lower flex.
Junior Hockey Sticks
- 40 flex: 52" shaft
- 50 flex: 54" shaft
- Recommended for: Ages 6–12, 3'9"–4'9"
Junior sticks are significantly smaller in shaft and blade size, especially in 40 flex models. These proportions help younger players develop puck control, passing accuracy, and proper shooting mechanics.
Youth Hockey Sticks
- Flex options: 10, 20, 30
- 20 flex: 45" shaft
- 30 flex: 48" shaft
- Recommended for: Up to ~7 years old, under 4', under 60 lbs
Youth sticks are designed to be extremely light and flexible, allowing younger players to load the stick properly and enjoy the game while learning basic skills.
Stock Height vs. Extended Height Explained
- Bauer stock height: 60" (some higher flexes are 62")
- CCM stock height: 61"
All sticks on our website are stock height unless otherwise noted in the variant description. Non-stock sticks will list the shaft measurement directly after the flex.
Because professional players are often taller, we receive many extended-height pro stock sticks. The most common lengths are:
- 64" (most common)
- 68" (maximum legal height)
Extended-height pro stock sticks are rated at stock height flex, meaning they can be cut down to stock height and will still play true to the listed flex.
Final Thoughts
The perfect hockey stick doesn’t exist—but the right stick for you does. Use these guidelines as a starting point, then fine-tune based on feel, comfort, and performance on the ice.
When in doubt, choosing a slightly lower flex and manageable length is often the best option—especially for developing players.
