An Interesting Discovery With the Hockey Sticks of Kirill Kaprizov

Last week, a subtle yet fascinating discovery was made in the equipment world of the NHL. One that speaks volumes about player preferences, superstitions, and the unique relationship many athletes have with their gear. The player in focus is none other than Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov, and the discovery revolves around the hockey sticks he uses on a regular basis.

As any dedicated gearhead or equipment enthusiast knows, the vast majority of NHL players use hockey sticks that don’t necessarily match their outward appearance. In other words, a stick may be dressed to look like the newest model, but its internal construction may actually be something quite different. Often an older, tried-and-true build that the player has come to trust over the years.

Take, for example, the wildly popular Bauer Nexus line. Many NHLers are seen on the ice with what appears to be Bauer’s latest release, the Nexus Tracer, but in reality, a significant portion of these sticks are actually built as the older Nexus 2N Pro model. These “paint jobs” serve the dual purpose of maintaining player familiarity while also allowing manufacturers to display current product lines during games for marketing purposes.

So what makes the Kaprizov discovery so interesting?

The Wild’s electrifying winger is still using sticks dressed as the Nexus Sync, Bauer’s previous flagship stick in the Nexus family, which was succeeded by the Tracer last summer. But here’s the twist: these aren't just leftover sticks from an older batch. They’re new sticks, built to Kaprizov’s specs, and made with the Nexus Sync graphics by request.

This discovery was sparked by a subtle yet telling detail. Kaprizov’s sticks, while sporting the now-outdated Sync graphics, feature his name in Bauer’s newly updated font. This font is smaller, and a more sharp style that the company introduced at the start of the current NHL season. The presence of this new font on a stick dressed in the Sync design provides a suggestion. That suggestion being that Kaprizov is not just using up old stock, but rather he’s still actively requesting the older graphic in new stick orders.

This is a bit of an eye-opening find in today’s NHL. Most players are primarily concerned with how the stick performs, rather than how it looks. As long as it’s built to their preferred feel, flex, blade pattern, and weight, many couldn't care less what graphic is wrapped around the shaft. But Kaprizov has shown us that for some players, aesthetics still matter.

The reason behind his preference remains unclear. Perhaps it’s a matter of superstition, comfort, or simply a personal taste in design. Maybe he associates the look of the Sync with his success and confidence on the ice. What’s clear is that Kaprizov doesn’t want the look of the Tracer, at least not yet.

This preference poses an interesting conundrum for manufacturers like Bauer. On one hand, they want their top athletes using and showcasing the newest models. On the other hand, players like Kaprizov have earned the right to get what they want, particularly if it impacts their game-day confidence.

This also serves as a fascinating reminder of the ever-evolving but deeply traditional nature of hockey culture. While the sport continues to advance with modern technology, performance analytics, and innovation in gear design, there remains a deeply human element in the choices players make. Choices rooted in habit, feel, and sometimes, just what looks good.

So the next time you spot Kirill Kaprizov blazing down the ice, ripping pucks with his seemingly “outdated” Bauer Nexus Sync, remember that it’s not just about the curve or flex. It’s about identity, comfort, and the subtle psychological edges that make all the difference at the highest level of hockey. And for Kaprizov, it turns out that the look of the stick matters just as much as the feel.

A small detail, but a powerful one.

Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire