Have you outgrown your favorite stick? Or do you feel like you need some extra reach to unlock your full potential on the ice? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to extend your hockey stick, including the tools and accessories you'll need to get the job done.

Today's hockey sticks are typically made from lightweight, hollow composite materials. At the top of the shaft, there's a small plug that can be easily removed if you want to extend your stick. But it’s not as simple as just inserting the extender and continuing to play. To do it properly, you'll need a knife and a heat gun, or alternatively, a hairdryer, to warm up the adhesive on the extender. After extending the stick, you may also want to saw off a bit to get the perfect length, and finally, you can tape your new knob onto the top of the shaft. Below, we explain each step in more detail.

1. Buy an Extender that Fits Your Stick
Depending on the thickness of your stick's shaft, you’ll need to choose an extender that fits that specific size. Just like with our sticks, we offer extenders for children, juniors, intermediate, and senior players. If you're playing with a junior stick, it's important to select an extender designed for junior sticks. Additionally, different manufacturers and models have varying characteristics, such as flex and stiffness. Therefore, it’s ideal to choose an extender made for the specific series or stick model you play with. It can also be fine to buy an extender made from a different material than the stick, such as wood, since the limited part that is extended won’t significantly affect the overall properties of the stick.

2. Remove the Plug at the End of the Shaft
If you have a brand-new stick, you can easily remove the plug by gently prying it out with a flat object, such as a knife. If you're extending a stick that already has a knob and grip tape wrapped around the end of the shaft, you'll first need to remove all the tape to access the plug. A knife is also the best tool for this job.

3. Heat the Extender with a Heat Gun or Hairdryer
Before inserting the extender into the shaft, you need to heat up the adhesive applied to the narrower part of the extender. You can do this with a heat gun or a hairdryer, though the latter takes a bit longer. If you use a heat gun, we recommend starting to apply heat from a few inches away to avoid overheating the adhesive or material. Be sure to apply even heat on all sides by keeping the gun or extender in constant motion. Once you see that the adhesive has become fully transparent, it’s likely hot enough to insert the extender into the stick. You can also apply a bit of heat to the opening of the shaft for a smoother insertion.

4. Tape the New Knob
When you're happy with the length of the stick, it’s time to add a new knob for maximum feel and performance. Exactly how you tape it is often a matter of personal preference, and there are many different techniques to use. However, for an optimal knob with the best grip, you should use hockey tape—a durable fabric tape that you wrap several times around the end of the shaft. Additionally, you can spin the tape and wrap it around the stick a few centimeters apart down the shaft. This creates a structure that prevents your glove from slipping when you hold the stick. By finishing with a few wraps of grip tape, you’ll create the best conditions for holding onto the stick in any situation.