NHL players use flex ratings and curve patterns tuned far more precisely than most fans realize — and the specs are more attainable than they look. Most stars run a flex well below their body weight and a curve matched to how they shoot, and the same pro stock builds land in stores like this one every week. Below are the commonly reported specs for five of hockey’s most-searched players, plus the pro stock stick that matches each one.
TL;DR
- Most NHL forwards use an 85 flex or lower, often cut down (which effectively stiffens the stick).
- Defensemen trend stiffer (90–100 flex) for harder point shots and puck battles.
- The most-copied curves are mid curves (P92/P29) and toe/heel curves (P28) — both stocked here as pro stock.
- “Pro stock” means the same build the player uses, sold direct — the closest you can legally get to an NHL stick.
- Exact pro specs vary by source and season, so match the curve and flex profile, not one rumored number.
Key Takeaways
- Flex and curve matter more than brand — a player’s feel comes from those two numbers plus stick length.
- Forwards favor lower flex for a quicker release; defensemen favor stiffer shafts for power and stability.
- Pro stock sticks give you the player’s actual spec at a discount to retail, so matching your favorite pro is realistic.
- Every player below is mapped to a curve and handedness you can filter and buy today.
How Flex and Curve Actually Work for NHL Players
Every NHL stick comes down to three choices: flex, curve, and length. Get those close to a player’s build and you’re most of the way to their feel. Brand and model matter far less than fans assume.
Flex is how much the shaft bends under load, and a lower number bends more easily. Forwards chasing a deceptive release often drop their flex and then cut the stick down, which stiffens it back a few points. If you’re unsure where to land, our hockey stick flex guide walks through weight, height, and position.
Curves collapse into a few families, and nearly all have a pro stock equivalent. The mid curve (P92/P29) is the most popular pattern in hockey; the toe curve (P28) is built for quick-release snipes; the mid-heel P88 is a balanced all-rounder favored by many defensemen.
Pro stock is what makes copying a pro realistic. A pro stock hockey stick is the exact professional build — often the same run a player received — sold direct instead of through mass retail. Because the market attracts fakes, it’s worth knowing how to spot fake pro stock hockey sticks before you buy.
What Flex Does Connor McDavid Use?
Connor McDavid uses a CCM JetSpeed stick in roughly an 85 flex with a custom P92-style curve, cut noticeably short. That short length is a signature detail: trimming the shaft stiffens the effective flex and pulls the puck in tighter for his handling. He shoots left-handed.
| Spec | McDavid (reported) | Match it |
|---|---|---|
| Shoots | Left | Left-handed sticks |
| Flex | ~85 (cut short) | 85 flex |
| Curve | Custom short P92 | P92 / P29 curve |
| Brand | CCM JetSpeed | CCM pro stock |
What Flex Does Auston Matthews Use?
Auston Matthews uses a custom CCM stick around an 80 flex with a P29/P92-style mid curve and a hybrid kick point. His build favors a heavy, controlled feel over a whippy one, which suits his patient, in-tight release. He shoots left-handed.
| Spec | Matthews (reported) | Match it |
|---|---|---|
| Shoots | Left | Left-handed sticks |
| Flex | ~80 (custom) | 80 flex |
| Curve | P29 / P92 mid | P92 / P29 curve |
| Brand | CCM FT-series | CCM pro stock |
What Flex and Curve Does Alex Ovechkin Use?
Alex Ovechkin uses a CCM stick with a deep, open heel curve and a flex commonly reported in the high-70s to mid-80s. That signature curve is what loads his one-timer from the left circle — the most famous shot in hockey. He shoots right-handed, which is worth filtering for when you shop.
| Spec | Ovechkin (reported) | Match it |
|---|---|---|
| Shoots | Right | Right-handed sticks |
| Flex | ~79–85 (varies) | 80–85 flex |
| Curve | Deep heel (P28-style) | P28 curve |
| Brand | CCM | CCM pro stock |
What Flex Does Cale Makar Use?
Cale Makar uses a Bauer Nexus stick in a 95 flex that he then cuts down, with a P88 mid-heel curve. In his own words he likes “a pretty stiff stick,” which fits a defenseman who shoots hard from the point and protects the puck low. He shoots right-handed.
| Spec | Makar (reported) | Match it |
|---|---|---|
| Shoots | Right | Right-handed sticks |
| Flex | 95 (cut down) | 95 flex |
| Curve | P88 | P88 curve |
| Brand | Bauer Nexus | Bauer pro stock |
What Flex Does Quinn Hughes Use?
Quinn Hughes uses a Bauer stick in a low flex — commonly reported in the low-to-mid 80s — with a P88 curve and a low kick point. It’s a lighter, quick-loading build that fits a mobile, puck-moving defenseman rather than a bomb-from-the-point shooter. He shoots left-handed.
| Spec | Hughes (reported) | Match it |
|---|---|---|
| Shoots | Left | Left-handed sticks |
| Flex | ~82–87 | 82–87 flex |
| Curve | P88 | P88 curve |
| Brand | Bauer | Bauer pro stock |
NHL Player Stick Specs Compared
Here’s every player side by side, so you can find the closest match to your own game.
| Player | Shoots | Brand | Flex | Curve family | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor McDavid | Left | CCM JetSpeed | ~85 | P92 mid (custom) | P92/P29 |
| Auston Matthews | Left | CCM FT-series | ~80 | P29/P92 mid | P92/P29 |
| Alex Ovechkin | Right | CCM | ~79–85 | Deep heel (P28) | P28 |
| Cale Makar | Right | Bauer Nexus | 95 | P88 | P88 |
| Quinn Hughes | Left | Bauer | ~82–87 | P88 | P88 |
Once you know the spec, it comes down to handedness — browse left-handed pro stock sticks or the full pro stock hockey sticks range to find your match.
According to the league’s own official NHL coverage, players increasingly favor lower-flex, quicker-loading shafts for release speed. Composite construction standards are set by manufacturers such as CCM Hockey, whose pro stock runs are the same builds issued to NHL players.
Player specs are commonly reported figures and vary by source and season; pros use custom builds. Match the curve and flex profile rather than a single number.