Last year, True Hockey emerged on to the market with their premier level A6.0 stick, which was an incredible innovation. It easily ranked as one of the best sticks I had used last year, and True established themselves to the hockey world as a top notch manufacturer of high performing hockey sticks.
This year, True Hockey is back with their latest innovation, the XCore 9 stick. We were fortunate enough to receive a demo unit from the folks at True Hockey for our True XCore 9 stick review, and have spent some quality time with it on the ice. Read on for our full review.
Specifications:
- True XCore 9 Stick
- 60” length
- 425 grams
- 85 Flex
- MC Pattern
- Matte Grip Finish
- No modifications
Features:
- XCore Blade Technology
- Axenic True One Piece Technology
- SmartPly Technology
- Smart Flex Variable Kick Point Technology
- Square Corner Double Concave Shaft
Design and Construction:
True Hockey’s new XCore 9 stick is aiming to be a game changer. They’re doing this primarily through the XCore technology, which True says will offer game changing player benefits. According to True Hockey, the XCore blade is a patented design which features compressible urethane inserts in the core of the blade. These inserts start in the heel of the blade, and extend just past the center. The result is a blade face which can now compress and absorb the impact of the puck, which increases the sweet spot of the blade and begins puck rotation quicker than the competition.
Beyond XCore, you will find some familiar technologies in True Hockey’s latest stick. They’ve used a high pressure compression molding process rather than a bladder mold. This process, along with their Axenic technology, create a true one piece hockey stick rather than a fused blade and shaft.
The XCore 9 stick features SmartPly construction with 100% carbon twill in the stick. There are 25 layers of carbon fiber which are strategically engineered for torsional response and impact strength. The result is a stick that holds up better to impact damage because the fibers will carry less load.
True Hockey’s XCore 9 stick has also been designed to have a stiffness profile optimized for all types of shots. The top of the shaft is softer in order to load energy more easily, and it becomes progressively stiffer as you move down the shaft. This allows the shaft to hold the entire energy load and explode at the end for improved power and accuracy.
In terms of the design, the XCore 9 looks similar to the A series of True sticks. It’s primarily black with some silver and blue accents throughout the shaft and blade. It’s a great looking stick, and looks better in your hands and on the ice.
Performance:
I still regard the True A6.0 as one of the better sticks that I have ever used, which is why I had such high expectations for this stick. After months of use, I’m happy to know that True did not disappoint with its latest release.
The XCore 9 took everything that was great about the A6.0, and then made a huge upgrade with the blade. It feels more responsive, providing better puck feel while stickhandling or skating with the puck, and delivers a great feel when shooting or passing the puck.
If you remember from our A6.0 review, I had tremendous success shooting with that stick, and especially taking slapshots. The XCore 9 builds on that foundation quite nicely. Snap shots, wrist shots, and slap shots are all pretty effortless, but deliver a quick and accurate shot. The addition of a new XCore blade only improves on something that was already pretty fantastic.
In a few months of using this stick, I don’t think there was a single area where I came away disappointed. It excelled at everything I put it through, and really made me wonder why more players aren’t using these sticks.
Overall Impressions:
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about the True XCore 9 stick? Every experience that I have had with this stick has been top notch. The new XCore blade really makes this stick come together as one of the industry’s better offerings right now.
My biggest complaint? I’m not sure a $300 price point is right for a product from this manufacturer. If I had any guess previously, it would have been that Bauer would be the first to release a $300 price point stick. Instead, True has done it, and much earlier than I ever anticipated.
It’s not that their stick isn’t good enough, because it’s definitely a great one, but True Hockey is still pretty small and unknown compared to the likes of Bauer or CCM. I think that the aggressive price point might send some buyers in another direction.
Where to buy?
If the $300 price point doesn’t make you flinch, and you’re looking for a great stick that can exceed your performance expectations, head over to Ice and Inline Warehouse to pick up the True XCore 9 stick. You can buy yours today for $299.99 and, of course, receive free shipping on your purchase.
Inline and Ice Warehouse has the best selection of new hockey gear, so head over and grab your new True XCore 9 stick today!
Click here to visit Ice Warehouse.
