Reply To: Right or Left ??

[Hal Tearse-MN Hockey]

This is interesting. During the 70's and 80's most of our players shot left- except for the true left handers who shot right. Now it is the opposite. A true left stick defenseman is a real prize in the US. Review the the rosters of the elite teams at the world championships at any level and you will see the northern European, Scandinavian teams with mostly left shots and 3-5 right. Canada is about 50/50 and the usa is typically most right with 3-5 left.
I think for sure that in the usa it is a function for non hockey plaing parents taking jr to the store and getting advice from a16 year old store employee who says "are you right or left handed?" Since the population is 85% right handed, here comes a right stick. Tom is correct about about harder shots for right handed players but most players only take a couple shots a game. They stickhandle far more, and play with one hand on their stick quite a bit. For the typical youth player I would recommend a left stick for a right hand dominate kid. As a coach I really get excited when a skilled left shot shows up at camp. I want 3 left forwards on my team a 3 left defensemen. That gives the team more options.
Parents that want their kids to have an edge when competing in tryouts etc, being a left hand shot is and advantage with knowledgeable coaches.