If you’ve ever watched a professional ice hockey game, you’ve probably noticed that every player has something wrapped around the blade, shaft and/or handle of their hockey sticks. What is it? It’s tape – but not just any tape. It’s a special kind of tape that both professional and amateur hockey players use for performance and personal reasons.
Why do hockey players tape their sticks?
There are numerous reasons and benefits to taping your hockey stick. Here are the main ones:
Provides a better grip and stick control.
The majority of today’s hockey players use composite hockey sticks over wood sticks. And for good reason. Composite sticks are more durable than wood, weigh less and tend to provide a player with more power. However, there are a few disadvantages to using composite hockey sticks, one being that they can be slippery. The composite surface doesn’t provide the feel and control that tape does.
Taping the handle of the stick improves a player’s grip on it, making it easier to hold. Wrapping the handle in hockey tape also gives you better control with your top hand as you shoot, pass and with your stickhandling. When you have a better grip and control, you start to experience a higher level of training and performance.
Players also tape the blade of their stick because it offers them more control when shooting or receiving a pass. That little bit of tape provides a little cushion, or softens the blade, which then allows you to more easily and quickly catch and shoot the puck off your stick.
Reduces the wear and tear of hockey gloves.
Many ice hockey players believe that wrapping their stick handle with hockey tape adds a different texture that lessens friction on the palms of their hockey gloves, which helps them from getting holes and wearing out.
Protects the blade of the stick.
Hockey players have been taping their blades for more than 100 years. Back in the day, it was because the sticks were made of wood, and taping protected the blade’s surface and edges from breaking, as well as acted as a moisture-repellant so the blade wouldn’t warp. Nowadays, taping the blade still adds surface protection. It protects your blade from issues from the ice, other players’ skates and stick checks, helping extend the life of your blade from hairline cracks and other things.
Customizes a player’s hockey stick.
Sometimes hockey players use certain types of tape simply for fun or to add some flare and style to their hockey sticks. Some tapes, like Lizardskins hockey stick tape, not only offer better grip and control, they also let you add your name or number so you can personalize your hockey stick.
How often should you tape your hockey stick?
How often you tape your hockey stick varies by player. Some players choose to re-tape their hockey sticks for every game to give them the best feel, grip and hopefully performance. Many professionals re-tape their sticks for each practice and game. If you’re an amateur hockey player, you may only need to replace your tape when it’s showing signs of wear, like fraying, or when your grip doesn’t feel as good as you’d like it to.
So if you haven’t figured it out yet, the answer is yes, you should tape your hockey stick. Using hockey stick tape can provide a better grip, better control and better overall performance. Who knew something so simple as tape could help take your hockey game to the next level? (Well, we did. And now you do, too.)