Author: David Elliott

The Story Behind Haggard Hockey: Performance Without the Price Tag

Haggard Hockey is a brand driven by a passion for the sport, focusing on providing high-quality, high- performance carbon fiber hockey sticks without the traditional high price tag. We believe that top-tier equipment should be accessible to every player, from the pond to the pros.

🏒 Our Origin: Passion Meets Precision in Minnesota

Haggard Hockey was established in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 2015, right in the heart of the “State of Hockey.” Our mission was simple: to craft gear that goes beyond expectations and helps players “unleash their full potential on and off the ice.”

We recognized a significant gap in the market. Many players, especially young ones, were forced to choose between heavy, outdated sticks or expensive, ill-fitting composite sticks. Haggard Hockey stepped in to offer a better solution, focusing on professional-grade construction, proper fitting, and unbeatable affordability.

⚙️ The Engineering Difference

Over the last ten years, we have poured our expertise into product development and putting the right high quality stick in our customers hands. Our foundation is built entirely on advanced engineering:

The True One-Piece Advantage

The main feature that defines a Haggard stick is our construction: the “True One-Piece” carbon fiber design. Unlike most competitors whose sticks are made in two pieces and fused together, our sticks are created all at once in a single mold.

Why this matters: This continuous construction ensures superior energy transfer from your hands to the puck, resulting in a better overall feel, a more powerful shot, and greater accuracy. We prioritize this method because we know it’s simply “the right way” to build a top-tier stick.

Pushing Weight Boundaries

We are obsessed with performance weight. Our engineering team has repeatedly pushed the limits of materials, resulting in Haggard Hockey twice launching our stick as the lightest in the market. This lighter weight allows players to handle the puck faster and shoot with more velocity than ever before.

💰 Top Performance. $100 to $200 Less.

Here is the Haggard promise: Our sticks are engineered to be comparable to the biggest name brands’ current top-end models. The only difference is what you pay.

We focus on eliminating unnecessary marketing and pay-to-play costs—we don’t pay leagues or professional players to use our gear. This means you receive the exact same high-performance construction and weight advantages, but you save $100 to $200 per stick. You pay for performance, not advertising.

🛡️ Our Guarantee: The Longest Warranty in the Game

We back our quality and performance with a commitment to getting you back on the ice quickly. Haggard Hockey sticks come standard with a 45-day manufacturer’s warranty (30 day warranty on Team and Deal sticks), making it the longest warranty period you’ll find on the market. More importantly, we respect your game time. While other brands leave you waiting for a month or more, we commit to turning around your warranty claim and getting a replacement stick shipped out within 5 business days. Less waiting, more playing.

🥅 Commitment to the Next Generation

Our commitment extends especially to junior and youth players. Understanding that a proper stick fit is critical for development, we have simplified the process by offering sticks specifically designed for kids with flex ratings as low as 17.5 flex. This ensures young players can properly load and flex the stick, allowing them to shoot the puck harder and develop their technique correctly.

Join the Haggard Hockey family and experience top-end gear designed for the player, not the price tag.

www.haggardhockey.com

Score Big Savings on Top-Tier Hockey Sticks at Haggard Hockey!

Equipping yourself for the ice doesn’t have to break the bank. Haggard Hockey’s dedicated Deals Page is a treasure trove for budget-conscious players seeking top-quality hockey sticks at incredible prices. From last year’s models to sticks with minor cosmetic imperfections, these sticks offer significant savings without compromising on performance.

Why Shop Haggard Hockey’s Deals?

  • Unbeatable Prices: Enjoy substantial savings on high-performance sticks.
  • Wide Selection: Discover a diverse range of sticks from popular brands.
  • Expert Guidance: The knowledgeable staff at Haggard Hockey can help you find the perfect stick to match your playing style and skill level.
  • Quality Assurance: Even at clearance prices, you can be confident in the quality of the sticks offered.

Don’t Miss Out!

Haggard Hockey’s Deals Page is updated regularly, so check back often to discover the latest bargains. With incredible savings on top-tier equipment, there’s no better time to upgrade your game and experience the thrill of the ice.

Visit Haggard Hockey today and unlock the power of their Deals Page!

On sale products

Understanding Hockey Stick Fit: Flex, Length, and More

After a decade of fitting countless hockey players and witnessing countless weekend tournaments, it’s become evident that many parents misunderstand the importance of proper stick fitting, particularly regarding length and flex.

Many parents mistakenly believe that buying a longer stick will make it last longer. However, this often leads to negative consequences. In two years, when your child outgrows that longer stick, it will likely break or become obsolete as they desire the latest model on the market.

Ultimately, purchasing a stick that’s too long can hinder your child’s development on the ice. It’s crucial to prioritize finding the right fit and avoid the temptation to overbuy.

Determining the Right Length:

  • Without Skates: The stick should reach your nose.
  • With Skates: The stick should reach below your chin.

Proper stick length is crucial for optimal performance. An improperly sized stick can significantly impact:

  • Shooting Accuracy: Incorrect length alters the stick’s lie, affecting your ability to aim accurately. A stick that’s too long makes it difficult to lift the puck, while a stick that’s too short can diminish power and accuracy.
  • Puck Handling: An improperly sized stick can hinder puck control. A stick that’s too long can be cumbersome to handle, while a stick that’s too short can strain the player’s back and force them to bend over excessively.
  • Confidence and Enjoyment: Ultimately, we want our children to succeed and enjoy the game. The stick is a fundamental piece of equipment, and the right fit is essential for building confidence and fostering a positive playing experience.

The Evolution of Flex:

In the past, NHL players favored extremely stiff sticks (110+ flex). However, the trend has shifted dramatically in recent years. While 85+ flex was once the norm, today, 70-90 flex is more common. Johnny Gaudreau, known for his exceptional speed and agility, famously utilized an extremely low flex stick, often in the 55-flex range. This unconventional choice allows him to maximize puck release speed and quickness, perfectly complementing his dynamic playing style.

Why is Flex Crucial?

Flex in a hockey stick is crucial for maximizing shot power and accuracy. It refers to how much the stick bends under pressure. When a player shoots, the flex allows the stick to act like a spring, storing energy and then releasing it upon contact with the puck. This stored energy translates into increased shot velocity and accuracy, giving players a significant advantage on the ice.

Finding the Right Flex:

A general guideline is to select a flex that is less than half your body weight. For example, a 100-pound child should ideally use a 40-flex stick or even lower (e.g., 50 flex).

Important Note: Cutting a stick increases its stiffness. For every inch cut off, the flex increases by approximately 5 points. This is crucial to remember, especially when fitting younger players.

Curve and Kick Point:

Curve: For youth and junior players, P92 or P28 curves are generally recommended. These open curves facilitate easier puck lifting.

  • P92 Curve: Recommended for players who can easily lift the puck.
  • P28 Curve: A good option for players who may need a slight advantage in lifting the puck.

The kick point of a hockey stick refers to the area where the stick flexes the most. This significantly impacts shot release and power.

  • Low Kick Point: Flexes closer to the blade, promoting a quick, explosive release ideal for wrist shots and snap shots. Favored by players who rely on speed and agility, often found near the net.
  • Mid Kick Point: Flexes in the middle of the shaft, offering a balance of power and quickness. A versatile option suitable for a wide range of players and shooting styles.
  • High Kick Point: High Kick Point sticks flex closer to the handle, maximizing power for slap shots and powerful wrist shots from distance, making them ideal for strong shooters, especially defensemen. However, modern hockey emphasizes quicker puck movement, leading many defensemen to favor mid-kick point sticks that offer a balance of power and speed, enabling faster shot releases and quicker decision-making.

The ideal kick point varies depending on individual playing style, shooting mechanics, and position. Experimentation is crucial to find the best fit for each player.

Determining Handedness:

  • Simple Test: Have your child grab a broom or stick. The hand they naturally reach towards the top of the object indicates their dominant hand.
  • General Rule: In recent years, the trend has been to place the dominant hand on top of the stick.

Key Takeaways:

Proper stick fitting is crucial for optimal performance. Understanding flex, length, curve, and kick point will help you select the right stick for your child and maximize their on-ice success.

Haggard Quick Fit System

Haggard Hockey has made it even easier for you to make sure you are getting the right size stick.  Every stick on our website now has a Quick Fit length. This is the length of the stick when put flat against the wall giving you the true length from nose to toes without skates on.  If the stick says 52″ then you know it’s the right length if your son/daughter is 52″ from floor to nose without skates on.