Okay, so, I got my hands on the new Bauer Nexus stick for 2024, and let me tell you, it’s been a ride. I’ve been itching to share my experience with this thing, so here we go.
First off, I grabbed the stick and gave it a good once-over. It felt lighter than I expected, which got me excited. I mean, who doesn’t want a light stick, right? They say it’s got this new ER Spine and ACL 2.0 tech, and something called Connectech. Sounds fancy, but all I cared about was how it felt on the ice.
- First Impressions:
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- Weight: Super light. Like, really light.
- Feel: Balanced. Didn’t feel top-heavy or anything.
- Look: Sleek. I dig the design, but that’s not a big deal for me.
So, I took it out for a spin. Started with some warm-up drills, just getting a feel for the puck on the blade. It’s got that P92 curve, which is pretty standard, but it felt good. Puck handling was smooth, no complaints there. I moved on to some passing drills, and again, no issues. The stick felt responsive, and I could place my passes pretty accurately.
Shooting Time
Now, the real test—shooting. I started with some wrist shots from the point. The puck came off the blade nicely, and I could feel the flex of the stick working. It’s supposed to be a mid-kick stick, which means it flexes in the middle, giving you that extra power. I’m not sure I could tell the difference, but my shots felt strong.
Then I moved closer to the net, trying out some snap shots from the slot. This is where the stick really shined. The release was quick, and I could get some good velocity on the puck. I even managed to snipe a few top-shelf goals, which always feels good. I spent a good hour just ripping shots, and the stick held up great. No signs of wear or anything.
- Shooting Experience:
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- Wrist Shots: Powerful and accurate.
- Snap Shots: Quick release, good velocity.
- Slap Shots: Didn’t try many, but they felt solid.
Durability
I’ve only had this stick for a couple of weeks, so I can’t say much about long-term durability. But so far, it’s holding up well. I’ve taken a few slashes, blocked a couple of shots, and it’s still in one piece. I’m not exactly gentle with my gear, so that’s a good sign.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the Bauer Nexus stick. It’s light, responsive, and it’s got some serious pop when you’re shooting. I did hear it was replacing the Supreme line, which is a bummer for those who like those, but I think this Nexus stick is a worthy successor. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a new twig. Just my two cents, hope this helps someone out there!
The last thing is I heard that CCM might stop making intermediate sticks with the P90TM curve. I don’t know if it is real but I will pay attention to it.
