Three brands. Three flagship sticks. Three completely different philosophies about how a hockey stick should work. The summer of 2026 brought us the Bauer Supreme Fuse, the CCM Jetspeed FT9 Pro, and the Warrior Covert QR7 Pro — and choosing between them comes down to one question: what kind of shot do you actually take in games?
Think of it like choosing a golf club. You wouldn't use a driver around the green, and you wouldn't putt from the tee box. Each of these sticks is engineered for a specific type of shot, and the technology inside them reflects that. Here's the breakdown.
1. Bauer Supreme Fuse: The Power Engine
360g · Mid-kick · Replaces the Nexus line · ER Spine
The Supreme Fuse is Bauer's answer to a question players have been asking for years: "What if I want Nexus feel without buying a Nexus?" Bauer killed the Nexus line entirely and rolled its DNA into a reimagined Supreme. The result is a stick built for players who load up and rip.
The Rare Fact: The Supreme line is no longer a high-kick stick. Bauer ditched the old high-kick profile entirely and moved Supreme to a true mid-kick — the same one Nexus players loved. If you shot with a Nexus, this is your direct upgrade path.
The Tech: ER Spine & Mid-Kick
The ER Spine is a five-sided shaft geometry on the backhand of the stick. Imagine a round screwdriver handle versus an ergonomic one with flats — the five-sided profile fills the natural curves of your hand so the shaft doesn't rotate or slip during a shot. More contact, more control, less wasted energy.
The mid-kick flex profile is like drawing a bow. A low-kick stick is a short, fast draw — quick to release but less stored energy. A mid-kick stick is a longer, deeper draw: you load more energy over a greater distance, and when you release, the puck leaves with more violence. The Fuse's new flex profile makes that load feel easier than previous generations, so you get the power without having to fight the stick.
Bauer also layered in ConnectTech — a rubber scrim that runs from the blade into the shaft to dampen vibrations. Think of it like shock absorbers in a car: you still feel the road, but the harsh impacts get smoothed out so your hands stay quiet on hard passes.
Best for: Power shooters who want maximum velocity on slap shots and one-timers.
Shop the Bauer Supreme Fuse at Pure Hockey
2. CCM Jetspeed FT9 Pro: The All-Situation Chameleon
Hybrid kick · ALUPLI composite · $439.99 CAD
The FT9 Pro is built for the player who does everything — wins faceoffs, carries the puck through the neutral zone, fires a quick snapshot on the rush, then leans into a slap shot from the point on the next shift. It doesn't specialize in one shot type; it adapts to whatever the moment demands.
The Rare Fact: The FT9 Pro's shaft uses ALUPLI — a thin layer of aluminum reinforcement woven into the carbon fibre. It's like pouring rebar into concrete: the metal doesn't add much weight, but it makes the entire structure significantly more resistant to impacts and slashes without making the stick feel stiff or dead.
The Tech: Hybrid Kick Point
The hybrid kick point is the star of the show, and the analogy is a car with adaptive suspension. Drive casually and it firms up for efficiency. Push hard and it softens for grip and response. The FT9 Pro does the same thing with your hands: choke up high on the stick and it behaves like a low-kick stick — fast hinge, quick release, ideal for snapshots in traffic. Slide your hand low and lean into a big shot, and the flex point shifts higher up the shaft, loading more energy for a harder, heavier shot.
The Dual-Control blade works on the same principle but at the business end. The heel is softer for puck handling and receiving passes — you can cradle the puck like a trampoline catching a tennis ball. The toe is stiffer for shooting accuracy — when you snap a shot, the toe doesn't twist, so the puck goes where you aim.
CCM also added FT Microfeel Grip, a raised texture on the lower shaft that's like the tread on a tire — it gives your bottom hand something to grip so the stick doesn't rotate on hard shots.
Best for: Versatile forwards and puck-moving defensemen who need both quick release and power.
Shop the CCM Jetspeed FT9 Pro at Sport Chek
3. Warrior Covert QR7 Pro: The Explosive Sniper
~365g · Low-kick · Minimus Carbon 25 · $439.99 CAD
The QR7 Pro is the specialist. Warrior didn't try to build a stick that does everything — they built one that does one thing terrifyingly well: getting the puck off your blade before the goalie can react. If your game is speed, quick hands, and catch-and-release snapshots, this is your weapon.
The Rare Fact: Warrior launched the QR7 Pro in July 2026 by flying players to Montreal for an on-ice launch event — and NHL prospect Matthew Schaefer was already using one in Islanders games. The stick wasn't just announced; it was battle-tested by pros before it hit retail.
The Tech: Edge Taper & Low-Kick
The Edge Taper is the key innovation. The shaft tapers to an angular, almost hexagonal shape near the blade — and this geometry creates a deliberate flex point low in the shaft. Think of it like a diving board: the fulcrum is positioned near the end, so a small push at the top translates to a big, fast flex at the bottom. The puck comes off the blade with minimal effort because the stick does the work for you.
The Minimus Carbon 25 layup keeps the stick at roughly 365g without sacrificing durability. Warrior pairs this with their PL188 construction — a thermoplastic-toughened epoxy resin woven into the carbon fibres. Normal epoxy is like white glue: it holds things together but can crack under stress. PL188 is more like mixing fiberglass mesh into joint compound — it creates a matrix that resists cracking and stays consistent over months of use, so your stick feels the same in game 30 as it did in game 1.
The Edge Blade slightly increases the puck's contact time with the blade — like a trampoline that holds the ball for a split second longer before launching it. That extra contact means more energy transfer and a more controlled release.
Best for: Wingers and skilled forwards who rely on quick releases and snapshots to beat goalies.
Shop the Warrior Covert QR7 Pro at Sport Chek
Quick Buyer's Guide: Which One Is For You?
| If you... | Choose the... | Because... |
|---|---|---|
| Rip slap shots and one-timers | Bauer Supreme Fuse | Mid-kick loads maximum energy for the hardest shot |
| Play a two-way game | CCM FT9 Pro | Hybrid kick adapts — quick release or power, depending on hand position |
| Score in tight on quick releases | Warrior QR7 Pro | Low-kick + Edge Taper = fastest release in the lineup |
| Take a lot of faceoffs | CCM FT9 Pro | Round R-shaft geometry sits comfortably for draw technique |
| Hammer one-timers from the point | Bauer Supreme Fuse | Mid-kick profile and ER Spine maximize load on big windups |
| Play a speed game | Warrior QR7 Pro | Lightest feel and fastest load for catch-and-shoot plays |
Still not sure? The single most important factor isn't the brand — it's the kick point. Low-kick sticks (Warrior) prioritize speed. Mid-kick sticks (Bauer) prioritize power. Hybrid sticks (CCM) split the difference. Match the kick point to your most common in-game shot, and you'll be 80% of the way to the right stick.
Industry Terms to Know
- Flex: How much the stick bends under load. Lower numbers (like 65) are easier to bend; higher numbers (like 85) require more strength. A common starting point is half your body weight in pounds.
- Kick point: Where the shaft flexes most during a shot. Low-kick = fast release, less power. Mid-kick = more power, slower release. Hybrid = adapts based on hand position.
- Blade pattern: The curve of the blade (e.g., P92 or P29). A deeper curve helps lift the puck; a flatter curve is better for backhands and saucer passes.
- Shaft geometry: The cross-sectional shape of the shaft. Round (CCM's R-shape), five-sided (Bauer's ER Spine), or flattened corners (Warrior's OG shape) each affect how the stick feels in your hands.
- Spread Tow carbon: A carbon fibre weave technique that flattens and spreads the fibres, reducing weight while increasing strength — used in both the CCM FT9 Pro and Bauer Supreme Fuse.
Ultimately, the best stick is the one that feels right in your hands on the ice. Use this guide to narrow your options, then get to a store and take a few shots. The technology matters, but confidence in your stick matters more.
Find your perfect flex
Use our free Flex Finder calculator to match flex, kick point, and cut to your body and playing style.