Hockeystickman PRO-Stock Stick Review
Phil Kessel's Pro-Stock Hockey Stick Review
After months of waiting, I finally purchased Phil Kessel's Pro Stock hockey stick off of the HockeyStickMan website. Now that I own this stick I am hoping that I can channel my inner Phil Kessel and rip some wristers off the rush passed the goalie (I wish it were that easy). This review will walk you through what I learned while trying to use Phil Kessel's hockey stick over the last few weeks. Be sure to watch the video to get the full breakdown!
Pros & Cons of Phil Kessel's Pro-Stock Hockey Stick
This hockey stick has definitely has some pros and cons. Some of the pros are that the stick are as follows:
Pros:
Lightweight and Sturdy. The stick is light and balanced. It feels great whether you are stickhandling or shooting. It also does not feel like the twig will break easy either. So it is definitely the best of both worlds.
Designed for those who shoot off the rush. The design of the stick, including the curve, is meant for someone who can fly down the ice and rip a snapshot or wristshot without skipping a beat. When using the stick, I could defintely feel that it was built for a player like Phil Kessel, who is an elite-level sniper off the rush.
Good Price. Some pro stock hockey sticks can break the bank, but this one is actually not as expensive, going for $199.99. I was also able to receive the stick in just a few days from hockeystickman.com!
Con:
The only real con is not really a con as it is simply that the stick does not fit my style of play that well. The main factor is that the flex is a bit low for me. I weight about 200 lbs and take a lot of one timers and this made one timers a bit difficult. However, if you are not one to take a lot of one timers, then this is a great stick for you to try!
Stickhandling Review
When stickhandling with Phil Kessel’s pro stock stick, I found that it felt sort of similar to the PM9 curve, which makes sense (see curve chart if you are not familiar with the PM9 curve). One thing to keep in mind is that since it has a lower lie, you need to remember that your stickhandling sweet spot will be a bit out in front of you, rather than closer to your body (here is a refresher on the stick's lie in case you need it). I did very much notice the toe kink in the blade, which helped with quick forehand toe drags. Overall, I did not have any real issues using this stick since I am already used to a lower lie and if anything, the toe kink helped keep the wooden ball on my blade.
Kickpoint Review
I said in the beginning of the video (linked at the top of this article) that I was not exactly sure what the kickpoint on the stick was, however, I do think it might either be a low-kick or a hybrid (here is a refresher on the kickpoint if needed). While I am leaning towards the stick being a low-kick, based on my usage on the ice, it does feel like there is some kick a bit higher up on the shaft.
Passing Review
Nothing much to say about passing. Passing the puck to the HockeyShot passer tool worked well and I was not finding any issues with accuracy. Just remember, as with stick handling, a lower lie stick may take some getting used to when catching pucks closer to your feet.
Overall Rating for Phil Kessel's Pro Stock Hockey Stick
I give Phil Kesssel's Hockey Stick a 9 out of 10 Star Rating. I do not provide a star rating in the video, but this stick is definitely worth the price. I would just make sure you understand some of the aspects of the hockey stick before you buy it. For instance, the little toe kink at the end of the blade can really send the puck flying over the net if you do not control your follow through. This is comparable to a P28 curve, where the follow through is simply less forgiving compared to other curves. Otherwise, this stick is great! Now if you do purchase the stick and want to go full Phil Kessel on the ice, make sure to consume hotdogs before and after the game.