6 Best Beginner Hockey Sticks For 10 Year Olds That Coaches Recommend

Standing in the pro shop, staring at a wall of hockey sticks, can feel overwhelming. They all look similar, yet the prices and descriptions vary wildly. For your 10-year-old, choosing the right stick is about more than just a brand name; it’s about giving them a tool that makes learning the game easier and more fun. This guide will help you understand the key features coaches look for and recommend the best options to build your child’s skills and confidence on the ice.

Matching Stick Flex to Your Child’s Weight

You’ve probably seen your child try to take a shot, only to see the puck weakly flutter off the blade. Often, the culprit is a stick that’s far too stiff. A young player simply doesn’t have the body weight or strength to "flex" the stick shaft, which is what creates velocity on a shot.

Think of flex as a measurement of how much force it takes to bend the stick. The lower the number, the easier it is to bend. For developing players, this is the single most important factor. The rule of thumb coaches use is simple: your child’s stick flex should be less than half of their body weight.

For a 10-year-old who weighs 70 or 80 pounds, you should be looking for a stick with a 30 or 35 flex rating. These are typically found in "Junior" or "Youth" stick categories. Choosing the right flex allows your child to learn proper shooting mechanics, feel the stick load and release, and ultimately build the confidence that comes from seeing the puck fly.

Bauer Vapor X for Developing Quick Puck Handling

If your child is working on their "hands"—learning to stickhandle and get shots off in a hurry—the Bauer Vapor line is a fantastic starting point. This family of sticks is designed with a low kick-point, a feature that’s incredibly beneficial for young players. It’s a favorite among coaches for teaching foundational skills.

A "low kick-point" simply means the stick is designed to bend and release its energy very close to the blade. For a 10-year-old who hasn’t yet perfected their shooting form, this makes it much easier to elevate the puck and get a quick shot off. The Vapor X is the entry-level model, giving your player this key piece of technology at a price that makes sense for a rapidly growing child.

This stick helps build the muscle memory for quick releases without requiring a powerful, perfectly executed weight transfer. It’s an excellent tool for developing the fast, reactive puck skills needed to succeed as players advance. It helps them feel successful early and often.

CCM Jetspeed FT660: A Lightweight All-Arounder

Is your 10-year-old still figuring out their style of play? The CCM Jetspeed FT660 is a wonderfully versatile stick that doesn’t force a player into one specific category. It’s a lightweight, balanced option that performs well in almost any situation, making it a reliable choice for beginners.

The Jetspeed line features a "hybrid kick-point," which is a perfect middle ground for a young player. It blends the quick release of a low-kick stick with some of the power benefits of a mid-kick stick. This means your child can use it effectively for quick snapshots in front of the net and for leaning into bigger shots from further out.

For a young athlete, stick weight also matters. A lighter stick like the FT660 reduces fatigue during long practices, allowing them to focus more on technique and less on just maneuvering a heavy piece of equipment. It’s a true all-arounder that supports a wide range of skill development without breaking the bank.

Warrior Covert QR5 50 for Quick Release Shots

Warrior is another top brand that excels at creating sticks for players who thrive on speed and agility. The Covert QR5 50 is their junior offering designed specifically to help kids master the art of the quick-release shot, making it a direct competitor to the Bauer Vapor.

The defining feature here is Warrior’s "super-low kick-point." The stick is engineered to load and fire with minimal effort, making it ideal for the lighter body weight of a 10-year-old. This design helps them learn to get shots off in tight spaces around the goal, a critical skill as the game gets faster.

Many coaches and players also note the excellent "puck feel" of Warrior sticks. This tactile feedback helps a young player learn to handle the puck with their head up, as they can feel its position on the blade without looking down. The QR5 50 provides this benefit in a durable, affordable package built for a developing player.

Bauer Supreme M1 for Building a Powerful Shot

While many beginners benefit from a low-kick stick, some players naturally gravitate toward taking bigger, more powerful shots. If you notice your child loves to wind up for a slap shot or is a bit stronger for their age, the Bauer Supreme M1 is an excellent developmental tool.

This stick features a "mid kick-point," meaning the shaft flexes closer to the middle. This design requires a player to load the stick with more body weight, but it rewards a proper technique with significantly more power. It’s the ideal choice for teaching the mechanics of a heavy, powerful shot.

The Supreme M1 is the introductory model in this power-focused line. It allows a young player to experiment with generating force without the unforgiving stiffness of a senior stick. It’s a great option for a young defenseman or any player who is ready to move beyond just quick snapshots.

True Catalyst 5X: Excellent Feel and Value

True has quickly built a reputation for producing high-performance sticks that offer an incredible connection to the puck. The Catalyst 5X brings this focus on puck feel and quality construction to the junior level, often at a very competitive price point, making it a smart investment.

The primary benefit of the Catalyst 5X is the enhanced "feel" it provides. This helps a player develop softer hands for receiving passes and more nuanced control when stickhandling. For a 10-year-old, learning to feel the puck on the blade is a massive step toward becoming a confident and creative puck carrier.

With a mid-kick profile, it’s also a great all-around performer, balancing power and responsiveness. It’s a lightweight stick that feels solid and reliable, giving your child a tool that won’t hold them back as their skills progress. It’s an excellent choice for the player who is truly falling in love with the sport.

How to Choose the Correct Stick Curve and Lie

Walking down the stick aisle, you’ll see blades with wildly different shapes. These are defined by their "curve" and "lie," and choosing the right one can make a big difference for a young player. Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it looks.

For the curve, you want something that helps your child learn every skill, not just one. A slight to moderate mid-curve is the universal starting point recommended by coaches. Look for common patterns like the Bauer P92, CCM P29, or Warrior W03. These curves are popular for a reason: they make it easy to lift the puck, control it while stickhandling, and execute backhand passes. Avoid deep, aggressive curves, which can make learning backhands and controlling passes much more difficult.

"Lie" simply refers to the angle of the blade in relation to the shaft. The easiest way to check this is to have your child get into their natural hockey stance with the stick. The bottom of the blade should sit flat on the ice. If only the heel or toe is touching, the lie is wrong and will make puck control harder. Most junior sticks have a standard lie (around 4 or 5) that works well for the average 10-year-old’s height and stance.

Sizing and Cutting Your Child’s First Stick

The most common mistake parents make is leaving a new hockey stick too long, thinking their child will "grow into it." A stick that is too tall forces a player into a stiff, upright stance, which severely hinders their ability to skate, handle the puck, and shoot properly. Sizing it correctly is essential.

The time-tested guideline is a great place to start. Have your child stand in their skates, and the end of the stick should come up to their chin. If they are in their regular shoes, it should reach their nose. This is a baseline, and slight adjustments can be made for player preference, but it’s a foolproof starting point for any beginner.

Don’t be afraid to cut a brand-new stick! Every coach expects it. A properly sized stick encourages good hockey posture: knees bent, back straight, and head up. One final note: cutting a stick makes it stiffer (it increases the flex). This is another critical reason to start with a low-flex stick, as it will still be playable for your child even after you trim it down to the correct height.

Ultimately, the "best" stick isn’t the most expensive one or the one used by their favorite NHL player. It’s the one with the right flex, height, and curve for your child’s current size and skill level. Focus on fit over flash, and you’ll be giving them a tool that builds confidence and fosters a genuine love for the game. Enjoy every moment watching them learn and grow on the ice.