What is Pro Stock Hockey Gear?

Were you searching for a new twig or protective piece and came across "Pro Stock"? You're probably wondering what that means and how it's different from a regular retail item! Pro Stock gear is equipment that is custom-designed designed and custom-made for a professional hockey player or team, primarily the NHL. These items are often tailored to meet the exact specifications and personal preferences of the players. When shopping for a Pro Stock item, you can acquire professional-level specs and features while saving a ton of money. Another great alternative is "Team Stock", which are hockey sticks and gear designed for highly competitive club hockey teams. They come with high-end specs and durability while making bulk purchases more affordable as well. This article is here to help you better understand the benefits and performance of Pro Stock Hockey Gear over traditional retail hockey equipment.

As mentioned in our introduction, Pro Stock Hockey Gear is built and intended for use by professional players that include the NHL, ECHL and AHL. When you're purchasing Pro Stock gear, it comes with pro-inspired specs in new and unused condition unless otherwise specified. Categories of Pro Stock equipment include Sticks, Gloves, Helmets, and Ice Hockey Pants.

Retail Hockey Gear is the most common type of purchase made within the hockey community. Each hockey brand produces a line of gear that is sold at the retail level and is offered at different price points to cater to individual needs such as affordability and hockey-level experience.

A top-of-the-line retail stick with customized features to meet the requests of an NHL player's preferences equals a Pro Stock Hockey Stick. Each Pro Stock Stick has been custom-built with a specific flex profile, curve, and length but can also feature weight and balance differences from the stock retail hockey stick. Pro Stock sticks are also built to handle the intense puck battles that Pro players go through, so while they may be heavier than the retail version, they are going to give you much better durability and reduce the chances of breaking sooner.

For shopping purposes, let's look at a quick comparison of a top-end retail stick to a Pro Stock counterpart. For this example, we will use the CCM JetSpeed FT4 Pro retail hockey stick and a Roman Josi Pro Stock CCM JetSpeed FT4 Pro.

As you can see, Roman Josi uses the FT4 Pro for its Hybrid kick point, which gives him a versatile shot from anywhere on the ice. When it comes to the construction, he uses a longer shaft with no grip, along with shaft dimensions that are much more similar to CCM's Tacks line. His blade also has no texture compared to the standard retail version, which is better suited for his Rezztek Blade Grip Pad.

While not every spec may be your first choice, it's important for you to determine your top priorities and if the Pro Stock stick can work for your personal game. In this case, if you're after a hybrid kick point and would benefit from a longer shaft with a 90 flex rating, and prefer a toe curve for shooting and deking, Roman Josi's Pro Stock stick would be a fantastic option for you. The best benefit of all is that you're getting an elite-level, NHL spec stick at a fraction of the retail price.

When it comes to Pro Stock Hockey Gloves, you're getting the very best protection possible with features that cater to NHL player preferences. Another great feature is that they come in the exact colorways of their professional hockey team. These gloves are ideal for teams looking to outfit their squad with gloves to match their team colors, as most club teams and even recreational hockey teams use NHL colorways for their jerseys and socks. In essence, Pro Stock Hockey Gloves are designed and intended for use by NHL and Professional hockey teams, and as consumers we can rock their exact same glove but at a much more affordable price.

Let's take a comparison between two hockey gloves, one elite-level retail and it's Pro Stock comparison. On the left we have the Reebok 11K KFS Glove, a highly popular glove back in the day but a style and fit that many Pro players still enjoy today. On the right is CCM's Pro Stock version, the HG12, and in this scenario, it comes with an additional protection plate, hence HG12PP. This design is a shot blocker that gives players the most amount of impact protection for slashes and blocking shots. The model above also features Florida Panthers Navy and White colors.

While the Reebok 11K Glove was retailed at $149.99 back in 2012, elite-level gloves in today's market are exceeding $220. If you're a player who is on the PK, steps in the shooting lane, and constantly takes on slashes while you weave through the opposition, this CCM HG12PP Glove would highly benefit your game. In addition to improved impact protection, you'll also enjoy a sturdier palm for durability and a more tactile feel, as well as professional-grade graphics and an exterior that enhances longevity for a premium experience.

There are many different types of Pro Stock Hockey Gloves to choose from, with different options in fit, protection levels, and team colorways!

Next down the list, we have Pro Stock Hockey Helmets, which are absolutely ideal for players in search of a bucket that matches their team colors. Built for NHL-level hits and collisions, you're getting the best protection possible but at a price that doesn't hurt the savings account. Unlike gloves and sticks, where there are a number of differences between the Pro Stock model and retail comparison, Pro Stock Helmets only have slight differences. Let's take a look!

When comparing the retail CCM FitLite 3DS and its Pro Stock comparison, the CCM HTRESNOL, internal protection is pound for pound. Both are equipped for elite-level hockey, yet you're getting the Pro Stock version at over $100 cheaper! Aside from saving money, Pro Stock helmets come in colors that aren't offered in retail situations. For teams or players that want to match their jersey and socks, Pro Stock is the way to go. One last subtle difference is logo placement, Pro Stock models don't have any logos on the side of the helmet but keep the one on the front, which gives the helmet a much cleaner look.

Pro Stock Hockey Pants are the perfect way to save money and obtain Pro-level protection. Similar to Pro Stock gloves, Pro Stock pants can come with extra padding, making those models the perfect choice for heavy hitters and shot blockers. Plus, they come with fantastic durability and amazing detail in NHL designs, letting you represent your favorite team on the ice.

Comparing the CCM Super Tacks AS1 and it's Pro Stock version, the CCM HPTKXP, we can see they look the same but with differences in two key areas. The HPTKXP comes with added padding, which means these are perfect for the highly physical player who is seeking the most amount of protection and coverage. The construction of the HPTKXP also uses better nylons for added durability and this specific model comes with the Nashville Predators colors and team logo. The CCM logo on the kidney belt is removed, similar to the Pro Stock helmet. On the HPTKXP, an NHL logo is embroidered on the back of the leg.

As mentioned in the beginning of this article, another great alternative to retail hockey gear is Team Stock. While Pro Stock gear was built and intended for Professional use in the NHL or similar leagues, Team Stock Gear is equipment that is produced by manufacturers for use by entire hockey teams, including professional, collegiate, junior, and youth teams. Team Stock gear is designed to meet the needs of a group of players within a team and is not typically customized to the same degree as Pro Stock gear. It is meant to provide consistent, reliable equipment for all players on the team. It allows players of all levels to wear gear similar to what their favorite teams use.