For hockey players, one of their most prized possessions is their hockey stick, especially when it’s new. One of the best ways to take care of a hockey stick is to make sure you have an effective hockey tape job on both the blade and the hockey shaft. This is a tedious process for some, but a properly taped hockey stick blade can also be the deciding factor to whether or not you snipe that overtime game-winning goal! In many locker rooms, perfectly taped hockey sticks are considered a work of art.
Within this article you can expect to learn:
- How to tape hockey sticks
- Why players tape their hockey sticks
- Pictures of standard hockey stick tape jobs
- How the pros tape their hockey sticks
- Removing hockey tape from your stick
How to Tape a Hockey Stick
Just like tying skates, there is no “correct” way to tape a hockey stick. Whether your tape job looks like Patrick Sharp’s, David Pastrnak’s, or anyone’s in between, ultimately it comes down to whichever style and method works best for you.
After purchasing your hockey stick, you will want to make sure that it is the correct length before taping. While on skates, sticks should stand between your chin and your nose, depending on your preference. For more information regarding hockey stick selection, please check our Hockey Stick Buying Guide.
First things first, you will need a roll of 1.5-inch or 1-inch Renfrew Hockey Tape (white or black, depending on preference), stick wax, and a pair of scissors, if needed.
There are three main sections of a hockey stick that can be taped: the handle, the shaft, and the blade. With each section, it is important to remember the following tips. Use cloth tape. Never use sock tape or any tape that has a non-grippy surface. Cloth tape will give you control of the stick and puck while in action. Another tip is to try to be as precise and consistent as possible. Take your time and make sure you are getting even spacing between each wrap and ensure there are no bumps or spaces.
How to Tape a Hockey Stick Handle or Butt End
Taping the top of the stick is important, as this is from where almost all control of your stick will be generated. It will have a direct effect on your shooting, passing, stickhandling, and so on. With that said, there are many variations and it will take some time to figure out which method you like best. Some players like a big knob at the top with a lot of tape wrapped around, some prefer little to no knob, some like the “candy cane” grip, some prefer a stick grip like the Buttendz Twirl 88 grip, and some prefer a completely different style. The most universal style is a simple mid-size knob. You will want to start at the top of the stick and wrap the tape around the top of it until it gets to your desired size. Simply cut the tape when the knob gets to your desired size. Most players stop when their pinky finger comfortably wraps around the knob while holding the stick with a pair of gloves on. From there, starting just below the knob, you will firmly wrap the tape around the stick, moving down diagonally, until you reach your desired length. The common lengths for tape handles are between 4 and 10 inches. Once you get to your desired length, do one last lap at the bottom that is horizontal and overlapping a bit, and then cut it. At this point, some players like to add grip tape around the handle, which adds a different texture, helping preserve the palms of your gloves.
How to Wrap a Hockey Stick or Taping the Shaft
Because some sticks have grip and others do not, another option for added grip and control is to tape the shaft of the stick. One name that comes to mind when discussing taping the shaft is that of Phil Kessel. The setup here is the traditional candy cane method. With 1-inch tape, start right below the buttend and wrap around the stick with your 1.5 to 2 inches in between each wrap. Proceed down the stick until you reach your desired length, and then finish it off just like you did with the grip at the top. This method is not commonly utilized, as most players prefer to have the ability to remove and slide their bottom hand when necessary on the ice.
How to Tape a Hockey Stick Blade
Lastly, we arrive at the blade of the stick, which is arguably a hockey player’s most important part of their stick. Much like the grip of the stick, there are many variations when it comes to taping the blade of the stick. One of the most commonly asked questions is whether the tape job should be done toe-to-heel or heel-to-toe. Some say the heel-to-toe method, while slightly decreasing their shot speed, adds spin to the puck that makes it difficult for goalies to control. Wrapping your blade toe-to-heel is said to slightly shorten the time it takes for the puck to get off your blade during shots.
Starting off, you need to decide what color tape you want to use. The most common colors are black and white. While this may not seem like it plays a significant role, there is more to the decision than you would think. Using black tape on your blade is said to make it harder for goalies to locate the puck during shooting. The downside to that is it is a little bit harder for players to track the puck during stickhandling. A black puck against a black blade may be difficult to see. The exact opposite is said about white tape. Although it is a little bit easier for goalies to track the puck when there is white tape on your blade, it is easier for the stickhandler to track the puck using their peripheral vision, due to the contrast of the black puck against a white blade.
After choosing what color tape you want to go with, you can then start taping the blade. Whichever end of the blade you choose to start from, proceed from there to the opposite side. As mentioned before, it is important to make sure that your spacing is consistent with each wrap. Doing this will give you that consistency you are looking for in your passes and shots. After picking a starting point, wrap the tape vertically across the blade, overlapping each previous wrap a little bit less than halfway. Once you get to your desired length, cut the end and overlap the previous wrap, as shown in the photo below. Generally speaking, you do not want to extend the tape job up to the shaft, although it does come down to preference. Upon completion, rub your hand along the tape area in the direction your tape faces to ensure that the tape is completely secured and smooth.
You can add stick wax to your newly taped blade as well. There are multiple brands of stick wax, but you will want to make sure that it specifically states it is stick wax and not just general wax. Stick wax gives you added control of the puck on your blade, helps wick away ice and water, and helps increase the longevity of your tape job. Simply take the wax and make 4-6 passes horizontally across the front of the blade. Repeat this process 2-4 times to the backside of the blade, as well. Another alternative to wax is to use friction tape, which has an adhesive finish on both sides of the tape.
After following these three main steps, you are now ready to try out your new tape job and score some epic snipes!
Taping a hockey stick for roller hockey is slightly different. Players typically place precut strips of tape horizontally from the toe to the heel. If you were to use traditional stick taping, the tape will create resistance when making contact with either tile or concrete.
Why do Hockey Players Tape Their Sticks?
Almost all hockey players use some form of tape on their sticks, and for good reason. Taping your handle and blade both have multiple benefits. As briefly mentioned earlier, the biggest benefit of taping your stick is control. Composite sticks in today’s game have a little bit of tactile grip on the blade, but the surfaces do not offer the control and feel that tape provides. Taping the blade also provides a small cushion when receiving passes, allowing you to catch and release the puck off your stick that much quicker. This will also give the blade a stronger, more durable feel.
Another benefit of taping the blade, specifically, is that it helps with surface protection. During games, your stick is susceptible to stick checks, skates, the ice itself, and so on. Taping your blade can help protect against these types of issues. It can also help to prolong your blade structure against small hairline cracks.
Taping the handle of the stick gives you full control with your top hand during stickhandling, passing, and shooting. It is especially crucial for defensem*n, who control their stick with their top hand for most of the game, allowing them to poke check and defend against opposing players.
After taping your stick for the first time, you will quickly realize that there are many different options and possibilities. Starting with the handle, apart from the classic handle discussed earlier, the “candy cane” handle is another popular option, especially among younger players. Thanks to the ridges this method provides, it adds an extra layer of grip, providing you with a more controlled feel.
Regarding the blade, other popular options include taping the toe and ending at the halfway point of the blade. This style is considered to be more advanced and caters towards players who take powerful, quick snapshots with the puck launching predominantly from the toe of the blade. While this option is great for players taking quick snapshots and utilizing toe drags, it leaves the back half of the blade unprotected, making it susceptible to damage.
Another popular option for taping the blade is taping the part of the blade where it makes initial contact with the ice. This is known as the mid-blade wrap and caters towards players taking mainly wrist shots. Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Phil Kessel are both known for variants of this tape job. While it does work for them, it is important to note that not only does it leave the heel of the blade exposed, but it leaves the toe exposed as well.
Pictures of Hockey Stick Tape Jobs
The Classic Hockey Stick Tape Job
Description: This standard tape job has been around forever. It consists of a heel-to-toe style that leaves just a sliver of the heel and toe exposed. This tape job excels in protecting the entirety of the blade and gives players full control of the puck during stickhandling and shooting. The downside would be that it does use more hockey tape in comparison to some of the other methods. If you are ever looking for a quick and easy tape job to help get your scoring touch back, this style might be your best bet!
The Toe Tape Job
Description: Starting at the center of the blade, continue up to the toe of the blade, and completely wrap it. Some pros of this tape job are that it uses significantly less tape than other options. On top of that, it can greatly benefit players who take mostly quick wrist shots from the toe of their blade. A downside would be that while it does use less tape, it can take some time to perfect this method. Additionally, this tape job leaves the back half of the blade unprotected, leaving it susceptible to potential damage.
The Five Strand Tape Job
Description: Starting just past the midpoint of the blade and complete five wraps around the blade, moving forward towards the toe. This should mean that the middle point of your tape job will be at the center of the blade. Of the styles mentioned, the Five Strand is the quickest and easiest to complete and does not require a lot of tape. The downside to that is that it leaves the most of the blade unprotected as well, both on the toe and heel.
The Sock Tape Job
Description: This style is another hockey classic. Much like the ‘The Classic”, The Sock starts at the heel, and proceeds heel-to-toe all the way to the toe, covering it completely. The good thing about ‘The Sock’ is that your blade will stay fully protected from heel to toe. Additionally, you will have consistent control of the puck anywhere on your blade. A downside to this method is that is uses the most tape out of any on this list and can potentially take the longest to complete as well.
How the Pros Tape Their Hockey Sticks
Sidney Crosby Tape Job
Throughout his career, Sidney Crosby has been known for his unparalleled stickhandling and puck control in tight areas. Assisting him with this is his ‘Classic’ tape job, as he has been seen using for the majority of his NHL career. Additionally, he is almost always seen using black hockey tape on the blade.
Since drafted, it was quickly apparent that Sidney Crosby had the potential to become one of the best all-around hockey players ever with his unmatched hockey sense, deadly precise edge work, and deceptively quick hands. Since his junior hockey days, he has followed his same taping style. Crosby utilizes the aforementioned “candy cane” handle, giving him added control of his stick in tight spaces when stickhandling. Crosby generally uses white tape for his handle, but lately has been seen taking advantage of grip tape, which helps to preserve glove palms.
As for the blade, Crosby tapes most of his blade, leaving just a sliver of the heel and toe exposed, predominantly in black tape.
Alex Ovechkin Tape Job
A year prior to that, one of the best goal scorers of all time entered the league. His name is Alex Ovechkin. Not only does he have one of the deadliest snapshots and one-timers the league has ever seen, but he can lay a decent hit as well. So, to what does a guy with nearly 650 career goals, and climbing, attribute his success? Part of that must be the way he tapes his stick, right? Ovechkin is known for the wicked toe curve on his stick, and he knows how to use it to his advantage. He tapes his stick around the toe to just past the halfway point of the blade, using 1.5 inch white cloth tape. Since Ovechkin takes mostly quick one-timers and heavy snap shots, it is important for him to have that extra grip and protection right at the toe of his blade. Ovechkin almost always goes with the same handle: white tape with red grip tape over top, about 8 inches down.
Connor McDavid Tape Job
The name Connor McDavid is probably one you have heard of as well. During his junior hockey days, it was apparent that this kid was a generational-type player. Since going first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, McDavid is already closing in on 350 points. It seems like every week we see him on a highlight video making an unthinkable play. For the handle of his stick, McDavid’s prefers his to be much shorter than what is considered “standard.” Starting from the top of the stick, his tape only goes down about two or three inches, with a medium sized knob at the top. McDavid opts to go with the full tape job on the blade. He covers the toe of his blade and then continues the taping process all the way to the end of the blade, just at the end of the flat part of the blade. This provides McDavid with ultimate grip and control of the puck.
How to Remove Hockey Stick Tape
At some point, the entire taping process will need to be redone. Again, how often you do it comes down to your personal preference. Some players will retape their blades before each game, yet some will do it only every few months. The rule of thumb is that if there is any significant part of your blade showing due to the tape getting cut by a skate, you will want to retape it. Another indication that you need to retape is if the tape on the bottom of the blade is worn down enough to where you can start to see the blade through it. Upon removal of the tape, there will inevitably be some tape residue left over on the stick. If you run into this issue, there are two common ways to get rid of it. First, get a bucket and fill it with warm water. Next, pour a little bit of dish soap into it. Let the area of the stick with the residue on it sit there for around a minute, take it out, and firmly but carefully rub off the residue with a scrubber and cloth. Another popular method is to heat the residue using a blow dryer and then scrape it off. If you do not want to scrape the residue off, you can also use the blow-drying method and wipe the residue off with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol or natural oil.
Time to hit the ice...
After reading and following along with this guide, you are now ready to get out on the ice and snipe some corners with your new tape job! With all of the different taping options for the handle, shaft, and blade, it is just a matter of trying out new methods and deciding which one works best for you! Shop the vast selection of composite composite hockey sticks, hockey shafts, replacement blades and hockey tape at HockeyMonkey today.
