hockey

Common questions

Hockey questions

• Stick flex — how do I pick the right number?

  Stick flex is the pounds of force needed to flex the shaft an inch. A common starting point is half your body weight in pounds (a 180 lb player picks 85 to 95 flex). Cutting a stick stiffens it by roughly 5 flex per inch. Position also matters: defensemen often go stiffer for slap shots, forwards softer for quick releases.

• What radius of hollow (ROH) should my skates be sharpened to?

  ROH is the depth of the groove cut into the blade. Deeper hollows (3/8 in, 7/16 in) bite harder and feel grippier; shallower hollows (5/8 in, 3/4 in) glide more and turn more freely. 1/2 inch is the standard adult default. Heavier players usually go shallower; lighter, quicker skaters go deeper. Most rinks list ROH on the sharpening sign.

• Helmet certifications and replacement timing?

  HECC certification is required by USA Hockey through high-school play. CSA certification is the Canadian equivalent. HECC stickers expire 6 years from manufacture and are not renewable; once expired, the helmet is illegal for sanctioned play even if it looks fine. Each helmet PDP lists the manufacture date and certification expiration.