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Bauer Nexus 1000 Stick

Jan 10

Posted by Matt in Gear | 101 Comments

Update: The Bauer Nexus 1000 hockey stick is now available for pre-order from PureHockey. The stick will cost $249.99, and will begin shipping on June 15th. Be sure to use the coupon code HOCKEYWORLD to save 10% on select products! Follow this link to pre-order.

Bauer Hockey is finally bringing the popular technology used in one of its pro spec flex profiles to the retail market with the release of the Bauer Nexus 1000 stick. The Nexus 1000 stick is described by Bauer as being “ideal for the player looking for a balanced feel with a quick, effortless release with natural power.”

The first thing you’ll notice on the ice with the Nexus 1000 stick is the Nexus Tru-Mid Flex profile. This flex profile is described as having a powerful natural release, with a softer handle and hosel and a stiff section mid-shaft. Bauer’s .520 power taper will give the Nexus 1000 stick a boost in torsional stiffness, allowing increased load on the shot and minimal twisting of the blade. Essentially what you’re getting is a stick that will flex more like what you may be used to with a wooden stick, all the while being accurate and precise on shots and passes.

The power core 3 blade which you’ll find in the Bauer Nexus 1000 is similar to what you will find in the Total One or APX stick. The foams inside the blade will maximize puck feel, absorb energy on hard passes, and help improve balance and stability.

To increase durability, Bauer is continuing with their eLASTechnology, also found on the APX stick. Bauer describes this feature as a “proprietary resin system with carbon nanotube reinforcements increasing durability by reducing the spread of micro-fractures caused by slashes and puck impacts, extending a stick’s ‘pop-life’ to keep it feeling newer, longer.” While they aren’t the first manufacturer to use carbon nanotube technology (Stealth CNT), they’re doing it in an efficient and effective way which will benefit players by increasing longevity of their Nexus 1000 stick.

The Bauer Nexus 1000 stick will be available in two finishes – griptac and matte. Both options will feature the same black and dark grey color scheme, which looks awesome. You can also expect to see retailers carry stock of all of your favorite Bauer flexes and blade patterns on the Nexus 1000, however, the new P08 (Ovechkin) pattern will be a custom make-to-order option.

Check out the new Bauer Nexus 1000 stick below and let us know what you think! Is there any chance you’ll swap out your go-to twig for the new Nexus 1000?

Bauer Nexus 1000 Stick

Bauer Nexus 1000 Stick

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Miken MV5 Pro Radial Hockey Stick Review 2

Dec 8

Posted by EB in Gear, Reviews | No Comments

Miken Hockey has given Hockey World Blog a stick to review. Despite being discontinued as newer twigs have come out such as the Miken Razor Z9, the stick is still able to be found in some stores at a reduced rate. Here is an updated review.

Stick: Miken MV5 Pro Radial

Weight: 488 grams

Curve/Lie: BP 40 (Easton Zetterberg, Bauer PM9, Reebok P34, and Warrior Savard)

Flex: 100

Price: $199.99 original price, $160-ish at Inline Warehouse

Aesthetics:

Although the new stick designs are coming out with a white-out finish on the bottom third of the stick, the matted black finish with red lettering and grey and white accents still is pretty eye-catching. The decals have held up well against the two-handers and shots, leaving the stick to look almost as good as new.

Performance:

The Miken MV5 Radial has taken some time to get used to. Feel, stiffness, etc… But I can say my learning process has ended and now I’m overall happy with the end product.

The stick was eventually cut down to the right size providing better stick-handling, all that goes well with the BP-40 curve. The round, slightly open blade allows for some pretty decent toe drags.

Passing seems to be pretty spot on, although making a high saucer pass does take some practice. The open toe leaves pucks coming off on an angle that is sometimes hard to collect for the target. Wrist shots follows the same pattern, coming of a bit wobbly instead of a solid shot. On the bright side, this all is mere player capability. Sure I’m an alright hockey player so some may be a bit cautious, but truth be, if I had my choice I would have chosen a different curve and all would be perfect.

The shafts low kick point is still kicking slappers without any loss of flex. This is good, however it does seem the breaking in takes a little longer time than previous sticks I have used. So a few more slapshots are needed a game, who’s complaining? Well, maybe the goalies as they go whizzing by.

Durability:

My initial concerns for durability have speedily faded. The toe has seen better days as there was a little opening that happened early on. Since though, the stick has not seen any more wear, even to the toe. I’m quite surprised as I did expect it to slowly break down and leaving me with a stick looking like one of those party favor clappers. Instead I am left with a one piece that feels indestructible.

Ending Notes:

I’ve played with the MV5 for over 3 months now on a constant basis. I have been quite pleased with the performance, with the ability to hit players at full speed with passes with relative ease. Wrist shots have seen better days but that is merely because of the blade itself. Slap-shots on the other side are still as strong as ever and accurate too with the dependable shaft. Speaking of strong, the stick is solid, so solid I don’t even carry a back-up most nights. It is made in America for all those looking to support the homeland (depending where you are from), as well as a good price point for the product. I would recommend picking up a Miken MV5 Radial and giving it a shot, just make sure you pick the blade of your preference.

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Miken Razor Z9 Review: Initial Impressions

Dec 4

Posted by Matt in Gear, Reviews | No Comments

The following is a guest post written by Andy, who agreed to test the new Miken Z9 hockey stick for www.HockeyWorldBlog.com. Keep checking back for future posts from Andy regarding the Miken Z9 hockey stick as he continues to put it to the test!

Miken has been kind enough to send the folks at HockeyWorldBlog.com another stick to review – this time around, it’s their new Razor Z9 model. After a few favors, and a lot of pestering, the guys let me put it through the ringer.

I will be comparing the Razor Z9 to my current stick, the Easton S14. I am very happy with the stick. Although it took a bit of time to get used to, the S14 is my new baby. The S14 is a step down from the S19, comparing to the S15 line. It is well balanced and has a low kick point, helping with crisp passes and hard shots. The stick has grown on me, as I have left behind my old TPS XN10.

Miken boasts about its exclusive Z1000 fiber, which is “the highest grade material utilized in sports equipment.” This is aerospace-grade material. The strength of the shaft, along with the Zipfoam (foam core injected) blade means the stick is very light, and feels great in your hands. The Z9 is a pro level stick, and reminds me of previous pro-stock models I’ve used (but subsequently destroyed) before.

Miken Razor Z9 Hockey Stick

Miken Razor Z9 Hockey Stick

Stick: Miken Razor Z9 (Clear SR, Non-grip)

Weight: 455 grams

Curve/Lie: BP 40 (Easton Zetterberg/Bauer PM/Reebok P34/Warrior Savard)

Flex: 100

Price: (TBD)

Aesthetics:

Shiny black, tapering into a bright white about ¾-way down the shaft, the stick looks slick. There are touches of orange in the writing, and the “Z9” is all orange. The stick takes me back to my house hockey days, playing on the Flyers. Unlike the MV5 Pro Radial stick, there is no mention of “Made in USA” anywhere on the stick.

Performance:

Changing to a new stick generally takes a few uses to get used to, to appreciate the little nuances of the stick, and to fully appreciate the updates in technology. That being said, the first time I felt the puck on this stick, I knew I couldn’t go back to the S14. The S14 felt hollow, but the Razor Z9 feels solid and comfortable. The stick doesn’t vibrate when catching passes and slap shots come off smooth and true. My snap shot even feels quicker, as the stick flexes in the perfect spot.

I have no issues handling the puck – it seems to stick to the blade. The puck doesn’t bounce off the blade when handling and I can feel it better than I could with my last stick.

Durability:

Immediately the pro-stock-feel raises red flags, as previous pro-stock models I’ve used seemed to disintegrate within weeks; however, this stick does not seem to have this issue. Yes, the white paint towards the blade of the stick has chipped a little due to gratuitous stick checking by opponents, but the stick still feels solid. The shaft doesn’t groan or crack when flexing, and the blade feels solid. Before my first few shots, I was nervous I would shatter it within days, but I feel confident leaning into shots, knowing the stick won’t break.

Ending Notes:

I’ve skated with the Miken Razor Z9 twice now, and even after such a short period of time, this is my new favorite stick. My slap shot feels harder, snap shots are quicker and more accurate, passing is crisper, and stick handling is soft. I look forward to many more uses out of it, hopefully for years to come.

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Reebok 20k Hockey Stick

Nov 25

Posted by Matt in News | 22 Comments

At this point, we’ve all seen the upcoming Reebok 20k skates. But now, thanks to HWB reader Anthony, we now have our first glimpse at the upcoming Reebok 20k hockey stick. He spotted the new Reebok 20k stick in a video where Matt Duchene talks about how he tapes his stick. At about the 22 second mark of the video, you can see the 20k stick hanging out next to Duchene, in the top right corner of the video. Anthony took a screenshot of the stick for us, which you can see below. You can take a look at the full video below as well.

Update 2/29/12: David Perron of the St. Louis Blues will be using the new Reebok 20k stick for the first time tonight against the Oilers. Take a look at the picture below that Perron took of the new 20k stick and tweeted to his followers.

We think the Reebok 20k hockey stick looks pretty nice, what do you guys think?

Reebok 20k Hockey Stick

Reebok 20k Hockey Stick

Reebok 20k Hockey Stick

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Easton Mako Hockey Stick

Nov 15

Posted by Matt in Gear | 61 Comments

Update: The new Easton Mako hockey stick is now available. You can head over to Pure Hockey to purchase yours today! Be sure to use the coupon code HOCKEYWORLD and save yourself 10% on your order.

Easton Hockey is preparing to launch the new Easton Mako hockey stick in April, 2012. The Easton Mako stick will fall in the Synergy line of sticks, and is expected to carry a few new features. Among the new elements rumored are a new shaft, a new handle, and a new blade. According to the photo below, the new Easton Mako stick will have Easton’s proprietary woven Kevlar/Graphite shaft, a non-skid blade coating, a micro-bladder blade process, multi-rib blade construction, and a matte non-grip coating. The Easton Mako is expected to retail for $229.99.

Visually, the Easton Mako design is starting to grow on me. The black shaft with grey Easton graphics looks nice but the fade to white in the lower half of the shaft, along with the white blade, are a bit unique. The lower half of the design is a bit reminiscent of the Easton S19 Pure which was released last year. It’s widely known that a lot of pro’s will spray paint the lower portion of their stick black, but there are some that paint it white too. The black paint and tape will help to hide the puck on a shooter’s blade, while the white shaft and blade will make the stick itself, especially in the flex zone, blend in with the ice. The different options will have varying effects on different goalies, but it definitely looks like Easton is trying to give any advantage it can to the player’s with their sticks.

Take a look at the Easton Mako stick below and let us know your thoughts!

Easton Mako Hockey Stick

Easton Mako Hockey Stick

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Reebok Ai9 Stick Review: Initial Impressions

Oct 27

Posted by Matt in Gear, Reviews | 5 Comments

Reebok has pushed forward in the hockey stick market with their latest release, the Reebok Ai9. With a blend of sick looks, new technology, and plenty of NHL stars backing it up, Reebok hopes to have one of the hottest sticks on the market with the Ai9. Thanks to Reebok, the members of Hockey World Blog were sent an Ai9 to determine if the stick will sink or swim in an increasingly saturated composite stick market.

Specs: Reebok Ai9, Griptonite Grip, Crosby curve, 85 Flex

Modifications: None

Reebok Ai9 Hockey Stick Features

Reebok Ai9 Hockey Stick Features

Appearance and Design: The Ai9 is easily one of the best looking sticks Reebok has designed. The blade of the stick is finished in a slick matte black, but also contains a transparent window which allows you to see the weave pattern used underneath. The matte finish succumbs to increased red graphics as you climb up the taper, and eventually turns into Reebok’s griptonite finish.

The griptonite shaft feels like a traditional grip model, but has a subtle, diamond looking, raised texture on the forehand, backhand, and top of the shaft. This element is also present on the clear version, and definitely adds to the visual appeal of the stick. The shaft fades from black to white as you climb further up the stick towards the butt end. Reebok and Ai9 logos are also extremely prevalent, but blend in modestly to the overall design.

The Reebok Ai9 also features a bit of new technology, including their 2:1 Power Taper Ratio which essentially means the top and bottom of the shaft is going to be twice as stiff as the sides. This is going to provide increased blade stability when shooting, allowing you to effortlessly pick your corners. Additionally, the Power Taper Ratio is going to increase the power and kick on your shots.

You will also find Reebok has changed to a mid kick-point on the Ai9, as opposed to the low kick-point featured on the SickKick series. This change is going to provide additional power, as the stick will take more time to load. This will definitely benefit defenseman taking slapshots from the point, but could hinder players who primarily have a quick release with snapshots and wrist shots.

Balance: Upon picking up the Reebok Ai9, you’ll immediately notice it is a well balanced stick. It feels a bit heavier than some other top of the line sticks out there, but the optimized balance helps the increased weight to go unnoticed. The new Optibalance technology featured on the Ai9 integrates weight at the top of the shaft to improve the balance. The idea behind Optibalance sounds a bit like the adjustable weights featured in the EQ50, but in the case of the Reebok Ai9, you have no ability to adjust the weight. To increase quality control, Reebok is now checking every Ai9 stick before it leaves the factory to ensure it’s optimal balance point. While this might not mean much to some people, others appreciate the little things that the equipment manufacturers do to provide the best product for a consumer.

Feel: As with most one piece sticks these days, the Reebok Ai9 has provided a terrific feel for the puck during the time I have used it. Feel for an ice hockey puck was great, but what surprised me most was the ability to feel a lighter roller hockey puck on the blade as well. Typically I’m used to glancing down at the puck a bit more while playing roller hockey, due to its lightness, but had no real issues with the Ai9. Sending hard and accurate passes was done without a hitch in both places, but I did notice a bit of difficulty catching a few passes on the ice. This wasn’t a frequent occurrence, but led to quite a bit of frustration when it did happen. This could simply be the part of the adjustment to a new stick however, and we’ll have more detail on that in our full review.

Shooting and Accuracy: Shooting the puck with an Ai9, especially slapshots, is an awesome feeling. You can feel the mid flex-point really load up on a slapshot and powerfully launch the puck. I can confidently say that the Ai9 has allowed me to shoot some my hardest and fastest slapshots ever. Fortunately, the accuracy aspect has been spot on as well. Despite using an unfamiliar Crosby curve, I was able to place slapshots up, down, left or right as I pleased.

I did not spend as much time with the Ai9 on wrist or snap shots, but from the experience I did have, I was impressed. These shots tend to be my bread and butter, so I will be all over them in our full review. From an accuracy standpoint, I had the ability to pinpoint specific locations much better than on slapshots, and rightfully so. In fact, as I played a game of 3-bar from about 20 ft. back, I was able to knock off all three bars in only four shots, which is somewhat unusual for me.

Overall Impressions: This is my first long term experience with a Reebok stick, and so far it has truly impressed me. The Reebok design team nailed the look, as it has eye appeal, along with a handful of new features and great performance so far. Balance and feel are terrific out of the gate, and my slapshots have never looked faster. If you’re a Reebok fan, I think you’ll be impressed with what they’ve done with the Ai9. Coming from any other brand, you will be just as pleased with the power and performance found in Reebok’s latest stick.

Although our review starts here with our initial impressions, follow us in the weeks to come as we put this stick to the test in game situations to see how it holds up as we continue to put it through the grind. We will continue to assess many of the areas we have covered here and also get a better feel for the durability of the stick. Keep checking back for more!

If you’re thinking about purchasing the Reebok Ai9, head over to Pure Hockey to grab one. You can get the clear or grip Reebok Ai9 for $239.99, and use the coupon code ‘hockeyworld’ for 10% off select items.

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Easton Stealth RS Review: Initial Impressions

Oct 4

Posted by Chris in News | 1 Comment

Easton continues to make impressive strides with their sticks as they look to make light weight, yet durable models to satisfy the needs of players of every caliber, and the Easton Stealth RS appears to be no exception. Tons of buzz surrounded the stick in recent weeks leading up to the anticipated release date this past weekend. Thanks to Easton hockey, the members of Hockey World Blog were able to secure a Stealth RS to determine if the product can deliver on the hype.

Specs: Easton Stealth RS, Grip finish, Iginla curve, 100 Flex

Modifications: Cut two inches off the butt of the stick

Appearance and Design: Plainly put – this stick is sexy. Perhaps no Stealth model to this point has so successfully implemented such a “stealth” look. The stick is almost completely black on the outward-facing side of the shaft while the inward side has blocks and lines of yellow graphically implemented throughout. The butt-end of the stick also features yellow with white letters spelling “Easton Stealth RS.” The blade is mostly black with a strip of yellow beginning on the bottom of the blade at the heel and fading as it moves toward the toe.

Like most one-piece sticks now, the Stealth RS features a tapered shaft. And like sticks in the Stealth line, the RS includes the elliptical TORX shaft on the taper to help improve durability at the lower end of the stick where it’s most susceptible to breakage from serious slashes. The RS also presents newer materials throughout to help maintain durability while decreasing the overall weight of the stick.

The RS also has a dual finish. Most of the shaft is the normal glossy finish, but the gloss fades into a matte finish on the lower-third of the stick and even onto the blade.

Easton Stealth RS Blade Blemish

A small manufacturing blemish on the blade of our new Easton Stealth RS

Unfortunately, my model had a few manufacturing flaws on the lower portion of the shaft and the blade. The toe of the blade had a raised bump of excess material dried on. It could easily be sanded off no problem, but still a minor flaw that I didn’t expect to see. There also appeared to be some small holes on the bottom of the toe of the blade presumably from popped air bubbles. Most of them are pretty small, but hopefully it doesn’t affect the blade’s durability in the long run.

Balance: The RS has real solid balance with very even weight distribution throughout the entire shaft. In fact, the weight distribution is so good that after using the RS I picked up another stick that I took with me to the rink and could feel a noticeable difference in that stick’s balance compared to the RS. Plus, the balance and even weight distribution help give the RS a more “solid” feel where the shaft doesn’t feel like paper mache that could break on the first hard slash.

Feel: The light weight and even weight distribution allows for a pretty good feel for the puck on the blade. Honestly, I didn’t feel like stick handling ability was the best thing about this stick and I’ve played with other sticks that I think offered a better feel for the puck during stick handling and passing – especially some sticks that are a little more blade-light and seem to send more vibrations up through the shaft when the puck impacts the shaft.

One real positive was how the blade absorbed the energy while receiving passes. I was very impressed with the RS’s ability to take a hard pass. We all know how to cradle a pass, but for testing’s sake I allowed a few hard passes to smack into a firmly held blade and the stick absorbed the pass very well without the puck bouncing all over the place. It was a pleasant surprise.

Bear in mind that for this initial review I was using roller hockey pucks which are incredibly lighter than ice hockey pucks. I think most anyone who purchases the stick will be happy with how it feels stick handling, passing and shooting.

Shooting and Accuracy: Let me preface this section by stating that my only prior experience with Easton’s Stealth line was with the S17 a few years back. While I liked the feel for the puck the stick provided, I had a lot of issues achieving fast, accurate shots with the S17. Comparing that stick to the RS, the RS is a huge improvement.

A lot of people have already described this stick as having a lot of “pop.” This is a pretty apt description. The puck seems to release from the stick quicker and faster shots can be achieved with seemingly less effort. I was really impressed with the stick’s performance on wrist shots. Again, pucks seemed to release quickly from the blade with more energy. Sometimes I had trouble placing my wrist shots high in the corners with the S17. That wasn’t an issue at all with the RS. The solid build of the stick allowed me to place shots high or low with ease.

My accuracy was solid with wrist shots, but less so on slapshots. I was generally able to get my wristers where I wanted them without any trouble. Any issues that I did experience I chalk up to the curve on the stick, which is an Iginla when I am used to using something closer to the Cammalleri curve. Still, I was generally pleased with the accuracy of my wrist shots.

My slapshots, however, were a little tougher to control. I had the same issue with the S17 when I used that stick. Although I can’t be certain of the cause, I attributed my issues to the elliptical TORX shaft on the stick. The RS has the same elliptical shaft, and I experienced some of the same issues. Initially, everything seemed to go about six inches left of where I was aiming. As my session on the rink progressed I found myself better able to control my shots without a loss of power, but it still wasn’t to as high of a degree of accuracy that I have experienced with other sticks. This is definitely something that I will keep an eye on for future reviews to see if it improves as the stick breaks in a little more.

Overall Impressions: After my previous experience with the S17, I was cautiously optimistic about the Easton Stealth RS. Needless to say, after about two hours of messing around with the stick on the rink, I’m impressed. The RS feels solid in your hands and offers a good feel for the puck. But this stick really excels at shooting where the puck really pops off the stick. Accuracy is good on wrist shots but less so on slapshots. Overall, I think most hockey players will be pleased with this purchase.

Although our review starts here with our initial impressions, follow us in the weeks to come as we put this stick to the test in game situations to see how it holds up as we continue to put it through the grind. We will continue to assess many of the areas we have covered here and also get a better feel for the durability of the stick. Keep checking back for more!

If you’re thinking about purchasing the Easton Stealth RS, head over to Inline and Ice Warehouse to grab one. You can get the clear or grip Stealth RS version for only $249.99.

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Sherwood Nexon 12 Hockey Stick

Aug 30

Posted by Matt in Gear | 14 Comments

Sherwood Hockey looks like they are putting forth a solid effort towards gaining stick market share with the release of their latest twig, the Sherwood Nexon 12 hockey stick. The Sherwood Nexon 12 will be the top of the line stick in their brand new Nexon line, and is already being endorsed by players such as Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks.

Sherwood is describing the Nexon 12 stick as being a true one-piece stick, using the same fibers from the toe of the blade all the way to the butt end of the stick. It’s also going to feature spear shaft construction, which will provide an enhanced low kickpoint. Beyond that, it appears as if you’ll find a lot of specs similar to other one-piece hockey sticks such as being light weight, maximizing energy transfer, great feel of the puck on the ice, and a great feel in your hands as well.

They really nailed the look of the Nexon 12 grip version, featuring a black shaft with blue accents. It looks great standing all by itself in the corner, and would look even better flying around the rink in your hands.  The clear version is a bit more plain, however, with a traditional black and white color scheme.

The Sherwood Nexon 12 will only set you back $189.99, which is a modest price these days for a one piece stick. It is currently available from Hockey Monkey,  and in mid-November, you can expect the Sherwood Nexon 12 to make its appearance in other retail stores in your area, as well as online.

Take a look at the new Sherwood Nexon 12 hockey stick below and let us know what you think. Are you willing to give a Sherwood stick a shot over today’s popular brands like Bauer and Easton?

Sherwood Nexon 12 Hockey Stick

Bobby Ryan with the new Sherwood Nexon 12 Hockey Stick

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Bauer Vapor X7.0 Hockey Stick

Aug 10

Posted by Matt in Gear | 2 Comments

Alongside the Vapor APX stick, and several other sticks from various brands, this fall will mark the release of the new Bauer Vapor X7.0 hockey stick. While the APX will be the top stick in the line, the Vapor X7.0 stick will actually pick up right where the X60 left off. It’s going to carry the same features, essentially, but have a fresh new look. As you can see from the picture below, its actually going to look similar to the APX in terms of color scheme.

When you dive into the specs, you’ll really see the similarities between the X7.0 stick and the X60. Here’s a look at the features outlined below:

  • Monocomp Technology
  • Aero Foam II Blade Technology
  • Intelli-Sense Shot
  • Pure Shot Blade Profile
  • Premium Lightweight Carbon Composite Construction
  • Micro Feel II Shaft Dimension
  • Double Concave Walls
  • Vapor Premium Dual Taper
  • Griptac Grip

The Bauer Vapor X7.0 hockey stick will come in senior, intermediate and junior sizes, with varying flexes and patterns for each size. Just like the APX stick, we can expect the Vapor X7.0 stick to crash retail stores in October. It is likely to retail for approximately $200. Keep checking back for ordering information, or in the meantime, let us know what you think of the Bauer Vapor X7.0 hockey stick.

Bauer Vapor X7.0 Hockey Stick

Bauer Vapor X7.0 Hockey Stick

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Miken MV-5 Radial Hockey Stick Initial Impressions

Aug 7

Posted by Matt in Gear, Reviews | No Comments

Miken MV-5 Radial Hockey Stick

Miken MV-5 Radial Hockey Stick - Made in the USA

Recently we received a Miken MV-5 Radial hockey stick from Miken Hockey to review. Miken has been around since 2001, but first began doing business as a composite baseball bat manufacturer. Much like Easton, they later applied their knowledge towards the development and production of composite hockey sticks. A big selling point for Miken Hockey is that they manufacture all of their sticks right here in the United States. I’ve had the opportunity to skate with their new MV-5 Radial stick it a few times now, so I wanted to provide my initial impressions of the stick for you.

The first thing you’re going to notice about the Miken MV-5 Radial is the slick matte black finish it has. More and more sticks feature the matte finish now, and while it does offer a great look to the stick, I’ve noticed that paint chips much easier than it would otherwise. When it comes to graphics, I think Miken has done a nice job with the overall color scheme, but the stick is a bit busier than I would like to see. Of course the graphical elements are all personal preference, and while I thought they were slightly busy, HWB writer Chris was really liking all aspects of the design. The blade features a nice “Made in USA” graphic, which we love. It’s great to see a company keeping their manufacturing efforts right here in the US.

One of the things that sets the MV-5 Radial apart is the new radial shaft design featured on the stick. I was initially concerned that this might feel strange in my hands, but after picking it up I was very pleased. The MV-5 Radial stick sits very well in your hands and let’s you control the puck and stick handle the same way you would expect with any other stick.

The Miken MV-5 radial stick is a true one piece stick, and made using R900 high grade aerospace carbon fiber. This material is going to help the stick instantly bounce back to its original state after flexing, maximizing your shot velocity. When it comes to hockey sticks features, you can never be sure how much of it is purely marketing jargon to help sell the stick. With the MV-5 Radial, these thoughts crossed my mind. But after taking my first shot with the stick, they quickly left. Hovering at the blue line, I fired a slapshot and was very impressed with the way it kicked off the blade. It was definitely a quicker shot than I was expecting. As I was testing a 100 flex stick, I was pretty confident that I knew how it was going to shoot for me, but came away surprised and pleased with its early performance.

Overall, we’re excited and happy with what we have seen so far from the new Miken MV-5 Radial hockey stick. It’s a very well-balanced stick that feels great, looks great, and has some great technology built into it. These are our initial impressions, and we will continue to pound away with it and give you a full review in a few weeks time. At that time, you can expect a deeper look into all performance aspects of the stick, as well as durability, which is always a big concern when investing in a new stick.

If you’re looking into picking up a Miken MV-5 Radial stick for yourself, head over to Ice and Inline Warehouse. You can grab one on sale now for only $159.97, which seems to be a steal for stick like this.

 

 

Miken MV5 Radial Stick

Miken MV5 Radial Stick

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