Casey Mittelstadt's Bauer Mysteries

The Colorado Avalanche’s acquisition of Casey Mittelstadt late last season from the Buffalo Sabres was a significant move, and it didn’t take long for the Edina, Minnesota native to make his mark in Denver. He proved himself in the 2024 playoffs, netting nine points in eleven games—no small feat, given he was adapting to a completely new system and team dynamic. Now, as the Avalanche enter the 2024-25 season with Mittelstadt on board full-time, fans in the Mile High City have even more to cheer about. Mittelstadt is off to a stellar start, racking up six goals and 13 points in his first eleven games of the season. It's safe to say he's already earned the Avalanche faithful's approval.

 

Yet, it’s not just his impressive on-ice production that has people talking—Mittelstadt’s intriguing equipment choices this season have also sparked curiosity. Known for his preference for Bauer gear in his early NHL days, he eventually began to blend in Warrior sticks and True skates, creating a hybrid setup that he seemed comfortable with. Coming into this season, Mittelstadt was expected to continue with Warrior’s latest Covert QR6 Pro stick, which he indeed used at the start of training camp. But he surprised everyone by pairing it with Warrior’s Covert QR6 Pro gloves, marking the first time he had departed from Bauer gloves in his NHL career. This shift seemed to indicate he was moving closer to becoming an official “Warrior PRO,” as some fans speculated—a player loyal to Warrior’s range.

 

But just as fans started getting used to this new look, Mittelstadt threw another curveball. At a morning skate before one of Colorado’s early-season games, he was spotted using Bauer’s Proto R stick. Then, by game time that night, he had made a switch to a stick with Bauer’s newly released Nexus Tracer graphics. Since then, the Nexus Tracer has become his go-to stick, a fascinating change given his recent history with Warrior. For a player who seemed to be leaning heavily into Warrior’s lineup, this abrupt shift back to Bauer sticks has left fans and gear enthusiasts wondering.

 

What could be behind this unexpected switch? Some speculate that Mittelstadt may be experimenting with a new blade curve or specific stick build, searching for a setup that perfectly complements his playmaking style. The Nexus Tracer’s design could be giving him an edge he didn’t feel with his previous Warrior sticks, allowing for a more precise shot or faster release. Whatever the reason, Mittelstadt’s confidence and willingness to experiment speaks to his experience and deep understanding of his own game after several seasons in the league.

 

With Mittelstadt's production taking off and his equipment choices keeping fans on their toes, it’s clear he’s settling in well in Colorado. As he continues to grow in the Avalanche system, there’s no doubt that both his play and his gear choices will be closely followed by fans and analysts alike. For now, Mittelstadt has Colorado buzzing—and he may just be getting started.

Photo Credit: Michael Martin