At the moment, there is information about the release of CCM JetSpeed hockey sticks of the sixth generation and the flagship will be labeled FT6 Pro. The novelty will be on sale around the summer-fall of 2023, but I tried to learn as much information as possible about all the innovations.
At the moment, I’m working on a review of the JetSpeed line, in which I will share my experience with the flagships of all five generations – JetSpeed, FT2, FT3 Pro, FT4 Pro, and FT5 Pro.
This post will be about the history of the hybrid kickpoint and its features, as well as I will try to tell about the pros and cons of the most popular CCM stick family. I hope this article will answer many questions so you will better understand the JetSpeed philosophy and be able to make the best choice of stick.
Design
The most subjective point, but I will give my opinion: from the available images, the impression is that this is the most stylish CCM JetSpeed released. The shaft is very well separated by the upper light section, made of white chameleon tape.
The standard coloring will be in JetSpeed’s signature red, but versions in blue, green, and gray (chrome) will be available to order. Likely, these colors will also appear in stores, as they did with the FT5 Pro.
The image above shows three additional colors (green, blue, chrome) for the CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro stick.
Updated Hybrid Kickpoint
Yes, CCM talks about it every time but having tested all five generations of JetSpeed sticks, I can say that each one was different in terms of handle performance.
In some cases, the changes were not so significant, but there were some fundamental changes as well. CCM constantly analyzes tens of thousands of shots and it leads to the optimization of blade performance in each new generation.
NanoLite Shield Technology
An essential engineering update of the technology we already know from several prior generations of CCM hockey sticks.
The NanoLite is a complex of advanced processes for working with layers of carbon fiber, of which there are more than 20 layers in the construction of the hockey stick (close to 25 layers).
It is crucial to connect them as tightly as possible during winding. It makes the stick more monolithic, stronger, and thinner. It will require less binding polymer resin, and the hockey stick will be lighter.
Also, this technology allows you to control the angles of each layer, and as a result, it creates the intended profile with maximum precision.
The Shield version brings several significant changes in themaking of the shaft: it is no longer created from a single fabric but by alternating several types and placing them in a specific sequence.
So thin and light layers of carbon material placed between two thicker and stronger ones. On the outside, there is an additional protective layer of unidirectional carbon fiber. On top of this layer is an outer layer of Sigma STP with a twill weave pattern.
This solution allowed for optimization and reduction of the stick’s weight without compromising its durability. The new Sigma STP material has already proven itself in the FT5 Pro, and hopefully, the new NanoLite Shield technology will make the shaft even more reliable.
New RR-100 blade
The JetSpeed family has the toughest blade of all CCM sticks, its strongest point being the feel of the puck. It is built with NanoLite technology (not Shield) and uses Sigma STP twill weave material as the outer layer.
The blade is lighter to provide good balance without losing its signature stiffness. Special damping layer is integrated into the blade to help the player receive the puck.
Skeleton+ technology
The already familiar technology is responsible for the connection of the grip and the nib. Thanks to this technology joint between the two elements is rigid and light. There is no energy loss from the handle to the blade and no torsional deformations that reduce the accuracy of the shot. Also, the weight of the lower part of the stick is reduced for better weighting.
Anti-slip cover
As with the FT5 Pro, the new flagship will have additional textured notches on the bottom two corners of the shaft to increase grip on the player’s lower hand.
Weight and balance
The actual flagship FT5 Pro had a claimed weight of 380g, and my copy (85 flex/bend 29) showed a value of 387g. For a stick with a hybrid kickpoint the weight is good, but using the new NanoLite Shield technology in the FT6 Pro will reduce it to 365g.
It was achieved not only by reducing the weight of the shaft with the NanoLite Shield. It was done by a lighter blade. This conclusion follows from the information about the preserved balance value.
Usually, the stated weight does not match the actual weight because of the applied graphics, anti-slip coating, information stickers, and packaging, and the weight/balance still depends on the bend of the blade. In a fully finished package, you can expect the novelty weight to be around 375 grams.
Comparing to the competitors, it’s worth remembering that CCM sticks are slightly longer (60″ nominal length), but I’d be happy with a weight in the 380-385 gram range.
So far, the CCM brand remains the only one that has stopped cutting weight aggressively and does it more smoothly while maintaining or improving balance. This approach allows you to expect greater durability, which for amateurs is one of the most critical criteria when choosing a stick.
Who is already playing JetSpeed FT6 Pro
- Sebastian Aho – New York Islanders
- Jonathan Drouin – Montreal Canadiens
- Tomas Hertl – San Jose Sharks
- Jonathan Huberdeau – Calgary Flames
- Nazem Kadri – Calgary Flames
- Matthew Knies – Toronto Maple Leafs
- Jared McCann – Seattle Kraken
- JJ Peterka – Buffalo Sabres
- Tim Stutzle – Ottawa Senators
- John Tavares – Toronto Maple Leafs
- Teuvo Teravainen – Carolina Hurricanes
- Mika Zibanejad – New York Rangers
3 comments
FT6 Pro
FT6 Pro Senior is a toothpick, broke two of them within 10 days, first one was the first time using it, first shift, snapped on a face off, second (replacement) snapped the 3rd time using. CCM Canada wouldn’t help and treated me like a criminal.
Wow, thanks! I’ll know.