Pro stock hockey sticks
A pro-stock stick was made to an individual pro or college player's spec (flex, curve, lie, grip, length) and sold off when the team didn't use it. It's usually cheaper than the same model at retail, but the spec is someone else's and it comes without a manufacturer warranty.
What pro stock means
- Pro stock gear is made to an individual pro player's or team's specs, mostly for the NHL, AHL and ECHL, and also for college and junior teams.1,2,3
- The specs can include flexes and lengths not sold in stores, grip or no grip, round or square shaft corners and custom curves.2
- It reaches the public as surplus: when a player changes curve, flex or brand, the sticks already made for them are sold off. Supply comes in limited batches, not a steady flow.2,3
- It's usually cheaper than the matching retail model, mainly because it has no manufacturer warranty and the supply is limited. One example: a CCM JetSpeed FT4 Pro listed at $219.99 retail and $159.99 as a pro-stock stick.1,3,4
- The graphic on the outside can differ from the build inside: many pros keep a build they like and only update the graphic each season.3,5
- "Team stock" is something else: gear made for competitive club teams, not pro players.1
Reading the label
| On the stick | Means |
|---|---|
| Bauer: player ID and version (e.g. 10922-13) | The player's permanent Bauer ID and which of their stick orders this is. College orders may show the curve and hand instead (e.g. P88-R).5 |
| Bauer: flex (e.g. 87) | Higher is stiffer. Bauer pro flexes usually end in 2 or 7.5 |
| Bauer: build (e.g. 2SPROXL) | The stick's actual internal build, usually the same as a retail model.5 |
| CCM: flex (e.g. 85) | CCM pro flexes usually end in 0 or 5.5 |
| CCM: shaft letter (T, C, R, E, I) | The shaft shape: T traditional (squarish), C contoured, R rounded, E ergonomic, I intermediate.5 |
| CCM: custom ID and version (e.g. E19422, V02) | The player's ID for that model and its edition; a change of curve, flex, grip or height bumps the version.5 |
| Curve and lie | Usually not printed on the shaft. Lie almost always matches the curve.5,6 |
| Player name | Whose specs the stick was built to.5 |
Pros and cons
- Pro Cheaper than the same model at retail.1,2,3
- Pro Specs you can't buy at retail: unusual flexes, lengths, grips and curves.1,2,3
- Con No manufacturer warranty: Bauer's stick warranty requires a receipt from an authorized Bauer dealer and the serial sticker, and pro-stock shops sell as-is. Some shops offer their own partial credit if a new stick breaks early.4,7,8
- Con The specs fit one pro, not you: check the flex, length, curve and shaft shape before you buy.1,3
- Con Pro sticks can be heavier than retail (one example: 412 g at 90 flex against 375 g at 85 flex for the retail version).1
- Con Pro-stock goalie gear is often priced close to custom goalie gear, not discounted like sticks.3
How to spot a fake or rebrand
- Check the shaft codes: genuine Bauer pro stock has a player ID and version line, a flex line and a build line; genuine CCM pro stock has a flex, a shaft letter, a custom ID and a version. Missing or odd lines are a reason to ask questions.5
- Check that the length makes sense for the flex: Bauer ties length to flex (a flex 87 stick runs about 62 inches). Pro sticks can be custom length, so a mismatch is a reason to ask, not proof.9
- A graphic that doesn't match the build is not a sign of a fake: pros often order an old build in a new graphic.3,5
- Buy from established pro-stock shops that say where their gear comes from and publish a return or credit policy.2,4
Sources
- Ice Warehouse: What is Pro Stock Hockey Gear (updated Dec 2023)
- Arizona Rubber / Behind The Mask (Randy Exelby): Let's clarify what the term 'pro stock' truly means
- The Hockey Shop: What is Pro Stock Equipment
- HockeyStickMan: Pro Stock Sticks - Warranty
- HockeyStickMan: Understanding Pro Stock Stick Codes: CCM & Bauer (Jul 13 2023)
- HockeyStickMan: Hockey Stick Lie
- The Hockey Shop: Warranty Information (FAQ)
- Bauer: Warranty (stick warranty + warranty table)
- Bauer: Flex guide (stick)