How to Tell if Your Hockey Stick Is Broken? (And How to Fix It)


All good things eventually come to an end.

The same holds true for hockey sticks.

After enough use, your hockey stick will eventually break.

The tough thing is—knowing if your hockey stick is broken isn’t always black and white.

While some sticks break in two instantly from a hard slap shot… some break down over time.

So, how do you really know if your stick is broken?

And… what type of break can you fix?

In this article, we’ll show you how you can tell when your stick is broken, what types of breaks you can fix, and exactly how you can fix your broken hockey stick.

Here’s How to Tell if Your Hockey Stick Is Broken:

If your stick feels like it’s a bit “whippy” or it has lost its stiffness, it may be broken. While it may still be usable, it won’t perform at its best. While a “break” in your hockey stick won’t always be a clean break, composite sticks will wear out internally, rendering them ineffective.

Can Composite Hockey Sticks Be Repaired?

Whether you’ve got a Bauer or CCM stick, your composite hockey stick can be repaired.

Composite hockey stick shafts are crafted from woven carbon fibers that are protected by a resin and wrapped in a mold. Then, they’re baked in an oven.

Once the hockey stick is removed from the mold (which leaves the middle of the hockey stick hollow), the blade is inserted into the shaft.

Then, it’s left to cool down. Once it’s cooled down, it’s painted and lacquered to provide an aesthetically pleasing custom finish.

So what if you broke the shaft of your hockey stick? 

The best way to fix a broken hockey stick shaft is by using the Shaft Repair System (SRS).

The Shaft Repair System is the best way to fix a broken hockey stick shaft. It uses a carbon fiber AirCore with Shaft-Lock technology to create an incredibly strong, yet lightweight repair.

The internal SRS system lets you use your repaired hockey stick about 72 hours after you’ve repaired it. And, it works on every type of hollow composite sticks (both junior and senior).

However, the SRS system is quite expensive and is made for hockey shops repairing large volumes of sticks.

If you can’t afford the SRS system, you can also repair your stick at home using epoxy, a hack saw, and a composite bar for about $20.

How Do You Fix a Broken Hockey Stick?

There are a few ways you can fix a broken hockey stick.

Here’s how to fix your broken hockey stick using the SRS System

1. Cut out the damaged area of your hockey stick shaft.

Using a hacksaw, you’ll want to cut the damaged part of your stick out. 

Simply cut half an inch to one inch around the break.

You’ll be left with 3 pieces. The top of your shaft, the bottom, and the 1-3 inch damaged chunk of your blade.

2. Install Shaft-Lock Grooves

This process is used to prep the interior walls of the shaft (inside the hollow of your stick).

3. Clamp the Two Pieces Together

Using a custom clamp, align the two pieces of your hockey shaft.

Then, insert a piece of styrofoam to the bottom section of your hockey shaft. This is to be done inside the hollow area of your stick. You should put the styrofoam about 1.5 inches down.

Then, insert the carbon fiber Aircore Sleeve. The Aircore Sleeve is about 3 inches in length. It’s made of two carbon fiber layers surrounding a foam center. 

This is inserted into the hollow bottom piece of the stick until it reaches the styrofoam.

Then, place the top section of the stick over the Aircore Sleeve. Then, re-align it, clamp it together, and tape it (to prevent any epoxy from leaking out).

3. Pour Resin & Hardener Inside the Shaft

Next up, mix together resin and hardener and pour them inside the shaft.

This should be done to completely fill up the foam center of the AirCore piece and form to the Shaft Lock Grooves.

This conceals the stick and fixes it internally which means you really can’t tell the stick was ever broken by looking at the exterior.

5. Allow the Stick to Cure.

Next up, the clamped and sealed stick undergoes a curing period in a temperature room until it’s completely hardened. This takes 72 hours.

6. “Snap” the Stick.

Once the repaired stick hardens, the final step is to “snap” the stick. You’ll need to flex the stick very well until the internal repair insert breaks away from the inner shaft.

You’ll know the snap is complete when the inner shaft floats freely within the hollow center. Plus, the carbon fiber will grip into the shaft-lock grooves.

This allows the hockey stick to maintain a great kick-point and flex, while operating at a high performance on the ice.

Budget-Friendly Alternative to Repair a Broken Hockey Stick Shaft

If you broke your stick up on the shaft, but you don’t have the money to use the Shaft Repair System (SRS), you can try this method that’s a bit friendlier on the wallet:

1. Using a hacksaw, do a flat cut on the broken part of the shaft.

2. Remove the broken section.

3. Glue a composite bar into the lower part of the shaft using epoxy adhesive.

4. Add more epoxy adhesive to the other side and slide the other half of the shaft on.

That’s it! This method will only cost you about $20.

Keep in mind, while you’ll have a pretty cheap fix using this method, it won’t feel anywhere close to how it did before.

Can You Fix a Broken Hockey Stick Blade?

Yes. In many cases, you can definitely fix a broken hockey stick blade. 

In order to fix it, you’ll need some vegetable oil, cloth, sandpaper, epoxy, carbon fiber, and carbon/kevlar hybrid. 

The process takes about 2 days and will cost about $15-$30. This is cheaper than replacing a blade for $50.

How Do You Fix a Broken Hockey Stick Blade?

There are a number of ways you can fix your broken hockey stick blade.

Most of the methods are quick fixes but don’t unfortunately last a long time.

The Carbon Fiber/Kevlar method is the best if you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person and are okay with spending a bit of time repairing your blade:

Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, Epoxy Fix Method

If your carbon fiber hockey stick is starting to break down, you can fix it by following these steps:

  1. Remove tape from your blade.
  2. Use some vegetable oil (or WD-40) and a cloth to remove tape residue.
  3. Use water and a cloth to remove the final residue on your hockey stick.
  4. Use a very fine sandpaper grit on the next layer.
  5. Next, use an epoxy to coat the damaged area.
  6. Cut up carbon fiber into strands to patch up the damaged area.
  7. Apply more epoxy on top of the carbon fiber strands.
  8. Tape up the carbon fiber and epoxy area with thick electrical tape.
  9. Use a couple clamps to ensure everything is bonded together tightly.
  10. Wait 24 hours
  11. Remove the clamps and tape.
  12. Sand off the tape marks with grit 80 then 200.
  13. Apply a kevlar / carbon hybrid patch with epoxy to reinforce the blade.
  14. Tape up the carbon fiber and epoxy area with thick electrical tape.
  15. Use a couple clamps to ensure everything is bonded together tightly.
  16. Wait 24 hours
  17. Remove the clamps, tape, and apply some varnish.

Can You Replace the Blade on a Composite Hockey Stick?

Yes, you can replace the blade on a composite hockey stick.

Did you break the blade of your stick?

Or, maybe it’s simply breaking down and has worn out over time?

Well, if you want to replace your old blade with a fresh one, here’s how.

Just keep in mind—when you replace a blade on your stick, it won’t have the exact feel or flex as it did before. The best option is to replace the stick completely. But, if you want to repair it, then follow these steps:

1. Buy a Similar Blade

First off, you’ll want to buy a blade that’s the same pattern you were using. Most hockey stick companies will sell individual blades in matching patterns if you’re using a 2 piece hockey stick.

You can purchase a new blade online or pick one up at a local hockey shop. It will cost about $50 depending on the type of blade you buy and where you buy it from.

2. Cut off the Old Blade

Whether you’ve picked up a new blade locally, or you’re waiting for the new blade to arrive, it’s time to cut off the old blade.

Using a hacksaw, cut off the broken blade where the shaft becomes straight. 

Fun fact: one piece sticks are really just two piece sticks that the manufacturers wrap in carbon fiber after they’re assembled.

Sometimes when you’re looking for the right place to cut the broken blade, you can see where the blade was originally inserted by the manufacturer.

3. Hollow Out the Shaft

Next up, use a dremel tool to hollow out the hockey stick shaft.

Just remember to be very careful when doing this as you’ll have to be very precise so you don’t hollow out too much and permanently damage the stick.

3. Test the Size of the Blade

Once you have your new blade, you’ll want to double-check that the blade will fit into the shaft.

Place the blade into the shaft to see how well it fits. If it’s nice and snug, you’ve got a winner. Sometimes, if you’ve got an older stick, the sizing can be a bit off, so make sure you test that it actually fits properly.

The stick should feel close to how it felt before in terms of flex and release.

At this point, you’ve got a hockey stick that is essentially just like any other 2 piece hockey stick now.

Do Hockey Sticks Break Easily?

No, hockey sticks do not break easily—unless you’re an NHL player.

Hockey sticks are created from strong, durable composite materials that are also designed to be very flexible—making them very hard to break.

While you’ll commonly see NHL players breaking sticks during games, for most non-professional hockey players, it’s very difficult to break a hockey stick.

How Long Do Hockey Sticks Last?

There’s no real “expiration date” on hockey sticks. 

The lifetime of a hockey stick mostly depends on how often you play hockey.

However, if you’re playing high-level hockey 4 times a week, you’ll probably go through 2-5 a season. But, if you’re only playing once a week, you might go through 1 or 2.

These estimates are completely circumstantial though. These numbers are just a rough estimate of what you can expect if you’re just getting into hockey.

Other factors that come into play with the longevity of your hockey stick are:

  • Stick construction
  • Manufacturer
  • Your playing position
  • Your level of play

How Many Hockey Sticks Do NHL Players Go Through?

Chris Davidson Adams—NHL equipment manager—has stated that NHL players go through 60-125 sticks per year.

That works out to be roughly 1 per game.

However, in non-professional hockey, players go through far fewer sticks—typically 1-5 per season.

Do NHL Players Use a New Stick Every Game?

Yes, hockey players use a new stick every game (on average). 

Players usually go through about 60-125 hockey sticks per game.

This means they’re typically using about one new stick per game.

What Is the Warranty on Hockey Sticks?

Hockey sticks have 30 day warranties. 

If you break your composite hockey stick or shaft due to a manufacturing defect within 30 days of ordering it, you may be eligible for a replacement. In order to get a stick replacement, you’ll have to contact your manufacturer directly. 

Here’s the contact information for the top hockey stick manufacturers:

Hockey Stick BrandPhone
Number
Online
Bauer1-888-509-6875https://www.bauer.com/en-US/bauer-support/customer-service/Warranty.html
CCM1-800-644-1677https://ccmhockey.com/en/warranty
Warrior1-800-968-7845https://www.warrior.com/returns-warranty-usa-hockey.html
Sher-Wood1-800-563-2202https://sherwoodhockey.com/pages/warranty
True1-855-388-8783https://www.true-hockey.com/warranty-information/
WinnWell1-866-765-4566https://us.winwell.ca/warranty-claims
Alkali1-855-424-5254Email: [email protected]

How Much Does an NHL Hockey Stick Cost?

NHL Hockey sticks can be quite expensive. On average, they’re just under $200. 

However, top of the line hockey sticks can cost upwards of $250-$300.

According to NHL equipment manager Chris Davidson Adams (Vegas Golden Knights), the average NHL player spends about $185 on hockey sticks. And, NHL players will go through 60 to 125 sticks per year.

That can cost upwards of about $23,000 in hockey sticks for an NHL player in a season.

How Do You Fix a Broken Goalie Stick?

Goalie sticks rarely break in half along the shaft.

However, goalie blades do break down over time, and can become delaminated—making them unusable.

If the stick on your goalie blade is breaking down, you can use Gorilla Glue mixed with water to create a sturdy foam to fix it.

Here’s how:

  1. Pour gorilla glue onto a plastic plate (that you can throw away)
  2. Spray a little bit of water to the gorilla glue
  3. Spray a little bit of water into the hollow area on the bottom of your broken blade.
  4. Use a butter knife to apply some of the gorilla glue/water mixture into the broken blade.
  5. Apply hockey tape to the broken area.
  6. Use a few clamps to hold the blade together.
  7. Leave it for 24 hours.
  8. Remove clamps and hockey tape.

Keep in mind, this method should only be used as a temporary fix. It’s not intended to extend the life of your goalie stick by a large margin. 

Can You Return a Hockey Stick?

Yes, you can return a hockey stick as long as you’re within the 30 day range.

Once you place your order for a hockey stick (or purchased it locally from a shop), you have 30 days to file a return.

The hockey stick can be returned if it has damage caused by the manufacturer on it.

Top 3 Hockey Stick Repair Shops

If your hockey stick broke, and you’re wanting someone to fix it for you, then here are 3 of the top hockey repair shops.

Simply reach out, send your stick in the mail, and they’ll fix it for you and send it back:

1. Hockey Stick Man

2. Hockey Repair Shop

3. Integral Hockey

If you want to do it yourself but prefer to use a simple step-by-step kit, then check out the Hockey Stick Repair Kit by Bison Hockey Sticks.

For more hockey gear tips and recommendations, check out these guides: How to Remove Hockey Jersey Wrinkles, Bauer vs. CCM Sticks (Everything You Should Know), and 3 Great Hockey Skates for Ankle Support.

Sources

https://bisonhockeysticks.com/hockey-stick-repair-kit/

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