Hockey Stick Curves Explained: P92, P28, P29 and More

Choosing the right hockey stick curve has a huge impact on how you shoot, pass, and handle the puck. The curve changes how the blade cups the puck, how easily you can lift shots, and how forgiving your backhand feels.​

This guide breaks down the most popular modern curves (P92, P28, P29 and their equivalents), explains what they are good at, and helps you pick the right pattern for your game.​

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Hockey Stick Curve Basics: What Actually Changes?

Every stick curve is defined by a few core elements:

  • Curve location: Heel, mid, mid‑toe, or toe.
  • Curve depth: How much the blade “cups” the puck (slight, moderate, deep).​
  • Face angle: Open (easier to lift), neutral, or closed (keeps shots lower).​
  • Blade length and shape: Short vs long, round vs square toe, affecting reach and control.​

As a general rule:

  • More curve and a more open face = easier to elevate shots, trickier backhand.
  • Flatter, more closed curves = better control and passing, lower, more accurate shots.​

P92 / P29: The All‑Around Favourite Hockey Stick Curve

The P92 (Bauer) and P29 (CCM) are essentially the same pattern: a mid‑toe curve with a fairly open face that has become the default choice for many players.​

Key traits

  • Location: Mid‑toe curve.
  • Depth: Moderate.
  • Face: Open, helps lift the puck.
  • Role: The classic all‑around curve.​

Strengths

  • Great puck handling in traffic and along the boards.
  • Easy to elevate wrist and snap shots without major technique changes.
  • Solid, usable backhand for passes and shots—better than most aggressive toe curves.​

Best for

  • Players who want one curve that does everything well.
  • Forwards or defensemen who take a mix of passes, shots, and tips.
  • Anyone unsure where to start; P92/P29 is the safest “baseline” curve.​​

P28: The Sniper’s Toe Curve

The P28 is a toe‑focused curve with a very open face at the toe, designed for quick‑release, in‑tight shooting and toe drags.​

Key traits

  • Location: Aggressive toe curve.
  • Depth: Moderate to deep near the toe.
  • Face: Very open at the toe.
  • Role: Modern “sniper” pattern.​

Strengths

  • Extremely fast puck elevation on wrist and snap shots.
  • Excellent for toe drags and shooting with the puck closer to your body.
  • Great for players who love pulling the puck in and ripping it quickly.​

Trade‑offs

  • Much less forgiving backhand; shots and passes can float or flutter if mechanics are not clean.
  • Can send shots high if you over‑open the blade or roll your wrists too far.​

Best for

  • Skilled forwards who shoot a lot and rely on quick release.
  • Players who naturally shoot off the toe rather than the mid‑blade.​​

P88: The Control Curve

The P88 is a more traditional mid‑heel style curve with a more neutral or slightly closed face, known for control and accuracy rather than flashy toe drag goals.​

Key traits

  • Location: Mid or mid‑heel.
  • Depth: Moderate.
  • Face: More neutral/closed than P92 or P28.
  • Role: Control, passing, and consistent, low‑to‑mid shots.​

Strengths

  • Excellent puck control for stickhandling and passing.
  • Predictable, accurate shots, especially low and mid‑height.
  • Strong, reliable backhand compared to open toe curves.​

Best for

  • Defensemen who value control on breakout passes and point shots.
  • Two‑way players who prefer predictable, controlled shooting over maximum puck lift.​

P90TM and Hybrid Curves

Curves like P90TM are designed as hybrids, trying to blend the strengths of P92 and P28 into one blade.​

Key traits

  • Location: Mid‑toe hybrid.
  • Depth: Between P92 and P28.
  • Face: Semi‑open, with a slightly squared toe.
  • Role: “Best of both worlds”—control plus fast elevation.​

Strengths

  • Easier to lift the puck than P88, but more controlled and forgiving than a full P28.
  • Strong enough backhand for normal play.
  • Very popular among players who like modern shooting mechanics but don’t want to sacrifice versatility.​

Best for

  • Centers and all‑around forwards who handle the puck a lot and still want a fast release.
  • Players moving off P92 or P28 looking for a middle ground.​

Brand Equivalents: P92, P28, P29 Across Companies

Most major brands offer similar “families” of curves; the naming just changes by manufacturer.​

Approximate equivalence

  • P92 family (mid‑toe all‑rounders):
  • P28 family (toe “sniper” curves):
  • P88 family (control curves):
  • Hybrid patterns (P90TM‑style):
    • CCM: P90TM.
    • Sherwood: PP90MX.
    • True / Warrior equivalents vary by model but aim for the same hybrid mid‑toe concept.​

This type of table is an excellent place on your site to link directly to each brand’s pro stock curve filters.

P28 vs P92 vs P29: Popular Curve Comparisons

The three curves players compare most are the toe-heavy P28 and the mid, all-around P92/P29. Here is how they stack up head to head — and remember that CCM’s P29 is the brand’s version of Bauer’s P92, so a P28-versus-mid comparison applies to both.

P28 vs P29

The P28 is an aggressive toe curve — the bend sits out at the toe of the blade, so it loads and releases fast and makes toe drags, quick snaps, and lifting the puck in tight much easier. The P29 is CCM’s mid curve (its equivalent of the P92), with the bend in the middle of the blade for a more all-around feel.

Choose the P28 if you are a shoot-first player who lives off the toe and wants the quickest release. Choose the P29 if you want a more forgiving, do-everything blade with a stronger backhand and easier passing and puck control. Two-way players tend to default to the P29, while snipers gravitate to the P28.

P28 vs P92

This is the same toe-versus-mid decision, with the P92 as Bauer’s mid curve (the P29’s twin across brands). The P28’s toe bend gives a lightning-quick release, better dangles, and easier lift on shots taken in close; the P92’s mid bend cradles the puck better, is more accurate on longer wrist and snap shots, and has a noticeably stronger backhand.

The P92 is also the more forgiving first curve, which is why it is the most popular pattern in hockey. Step up to the P28 when you want a more specialized, release-first toe curve. See how both translate to other brands in our curve comparison chart.

P92 vs P29

These two are not really rivals — they are the same curve in different brands. Bauer’s P92 and CCM’s P29 are both mid curves with an open face, and most players cannot tell them apart on the ice; any difference comes down to tiny variations in lie and face angle between manufacturers, not the shape of the curve itself.

So if you already love a P92, the P29 is your match when you switch to a CCM stick, and vice versa. Pick based on the stick and brand you want rather than the curve code — our curve comparison chart maps every equivalent across Bauer, CCM, Warrior, True, and Sherwood.

How your Hockey Stick Curve Affects Your Game

Different curves favor different playing styles.​

If you are a shooter

  • Want to score off quick wrist and snap shots:
    • Prioritize P28 or similar toe curves.
    • P92/P29 or P90TM if you want more all‑around reliability with still‑strong puck lift.

If you are a playmaker / stickhandler

  • Want clean passes, controlled stickhandling, and reliable backhands:
    • P88 or similar heel/mid curves.
    • P92/P29 as a slightly more offensive all‑around option.​

If you are a defenseman

  • Need strong point shots, clears, and breakout passes:
    • P88‑type patterns for control and low shot accuracy.
    • P92/P29 or hybrid curves if you step into the play and shoot more regularly.​

How to Choose the best Hockey Stick Curve that suits your game

When you pick a curve, consider:

  • Current strengths: Do you already shoot well but struggle with passing, or the opposite?
  • Weak spots: Do your shots always sail high, or do you have trouble lifting the puck?
  • Position and role: Sniper, playmaker, two‑way forward, stay‑at‑home D, offensive D, etc.

A simple decision path:

  • Not sure / do everything: Start with P92 / P29‑family.
  • You shoot a lot and love toe drags: Try P28.
  • You value clean passing and controlled, lower shots: Try P88‑family.
  • You want a modern feel with balance between P92 and P28: Try P90TM or similar hybrid.