Buying guide

When do hockey sticks go on sale?

Short answer: when the next generation launches and stores clear the old one, usually in late spring and summer, plus holiday sales. Here is what players and shops report.

1. When new models launch (often May–July)

Top-end sticks are refreshed roughly once a year and other tiers about every two years. The outgoing model goes on clearance around the launch. Players report prior-generation models getting marked down "typically in June/July", and that curve and flex choices shrink as the summer goes on. Sources: r/hockeyplayers: cheaper time of year, r/hockeyplayers: best spot to buy new sticks.

2. Store year-end and summer clearance

Some shops run year-end sales in summer. One player says Perani's in Michigan "typically [has] year-end sales in July every year". In Canada, Sport Chek has paired clearance with an extra 25% off. Players also warn that brands stagger releases and stores are getting better at running down stock, so there's no single sale date. Source: r/hockeyplayers: best time of year to buy gear on sale.

3. Holiday and end-of-season sales

Players point to holiday and end-of-season sales as the other good windows, and say last year's clearance is often cheaper than the current model ever gets. Sources: r/hockeyplayers: best time to buy new gear, r/hockeyplayers: how much should a stick cost.

4. Buy last year's flagship or pro stock

Many players aim for $150–$250 by buying the previous flagship on clearance or pro stock sticks instead of paying $350–$400+ for the newest model (same threads as above).

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