Hockey Stick Curves Explained: What Do They Do?
Published by Stick Fit Hockey
A blade curve changes how the puck sits on the forehand and leaves the blade. Curve location, depth, face openness, lie, and rocker are separate features. Choose a pattern you can pass and shoot with consistently, rather than the one that looks most aggressive.
Five blade features that mean different things
Curve location describes where the blade bends when viewed from above: nearer the heel, middle, or toe. Depth describes how pronounced that bend is. A toe-focused curve and a deep curve are not the same description; one says where, the other says how much.
Face openness describes how much the puck-facing surface opens upward. It is different from the bend visible in a top view. Lie describes the relationship between shaft and blade. Rocker is the rounding along the blade's bottom edge. These last two influence how the blade meets the ice as your hand position and posture change.
Bauer's curvature guide explains blade-pattern characteristics and uses P88, P92, and P28 as common examples. A pattern code is a useful reference, but it is not a complete dimensional specification across every manufacturer.
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Compare common curve families
| Family | General character | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| P88 | Moderate mid curve, less open face | Forehand and backhand control; effort needed for elevation |
| P92 / P29 | Open, mid-curve family | Versatility, passing, and keeping releases controlled |
| P28 | Open, toe-focused family | Toe contact, release timing, and backhand comfort |
Bauer's pattern guide describes its P88, P92, and P28 options. CCM's FT8 Pro curve reference lists P29 as an open mid curve and P28 as an open mid/toe curve. We group P92 and P29 for fitting purposes; this does not mean their geometry is identical.
When replacing a familiar stick, write down the brand as well as the code. Check blade height and the full pattern designation, too. A suffix or a different version can matter even when the main number looks familiar.
Puck lift and keeping shots down
An open face can help present the puck upward at release, but elevation still depends on how you deliver the blade. If your shots already sail high, a more open pattern is not automatically an improvement. Compare the ability to hit a deliberate low target as well as the ability to raise a shot.
A toe-focused blade can feel comfortable when the puck is controlled near the toe. If you usually release from another part of the blade, the same pattern may need an adjustment period. Do not interpret an unfamiliar first session as proof that you need another new stick.
If lifting the puck is the main problem, work through puck contact and release checks. If shots lack pace even when they rise, the weak-shot guide considers loading and technique separately. A curve change cannot establish that those other parts are working well.
Passing, backhands, and puck handling
A curve that feels helpful on the forehand may be less comfortable on the backhand. Use both sides of the blade during a comparison. Try short controlled passes, receiving a pass, moving the puck across your body, and a backhand release. Those are useful buying tasks even if you spend most practice time taking forehand shots.
More curve is not a universal increase in control. You still need to place the blade appropriately and absorb the puck on reception. An open face that helps one release may need more deliberate control to keep a pass flat. Judge whether you can repeat the result, not whether one attempt looks impressive.
For a beginner choosing between unfamiliar patterns, a widely available family is easier to replace consistently. It also lets you keep the blade familiar when later experimenting with flex or length. That is a practical reason to start with common options, not a claim that unusual patterns are wrong.
Lie and rocker: check the blade on the ice
Look at blade contact in your normal bent-knee stance, not only while standing upright. As the stick moves closer to or farther from you, the section contacting the surface changes. A different rocker can make two blades with similar curve labels feel different through that movement.
If the blade sits awkwardly, check playing length and posture before blaming curve depth. Tape wear can prompt a closer look, but it is not a stand-alone measurement of correct lie. Your movement, usage, and taping habits also affect wear.
A useful comparison keeps shaft length and flex similar. Otherwise, a blade may appear responsible for a change that came from reach or loading. Where possible, use a controlled demo rather than judging a pattern only from a photograph.
Choose a pattern you can learn with
- Record your current brand, pattern, handedness, and the task you want to improve.
- Compare familiar tasks on both forehand and backhand with a suitable demo.
- Include low shots and flat passes, not just high shots.
- Allow time to learn the contact point before deciding.
- Keep other specifications similar and note any unavoidable differences.
Our beginner buying guide puts blade choice alongside flex, length, and price. The assessment suggests curve families and actual stick candidates, but your comfort on both sides of the blade is an important final check.
Want a stick matched to you?
Get specific stick recommendations based on your size, experience, current stick, shot needs, and budget.