If you’ve spent time around hockey players, you probably know that they’re constantly tinkering with their sticks, trying to get just the right feel. Drew Doughty made a fairly big change going into this season, as he increased the curve on his stick blade in order to get more height and velocity on his shots. It paid off against the Islanders, when Doughty scored a slap-shot goal.

I talked to Doughty about his change…

Question: What led you to change things with your stick this season?

DOUGHTY: “I changed up the curve. I kind of thought that, last year, my shot was kind of slacking. I really didn’t know what it was, whether it was my strength or the curve of the stick. I didn’t really know what it was, so I just changed it up and it’s been working. I think my shots are a lot better this year.’’

Question: Dramatic change on the curve, or just a slight one?

DOUGHTY: “It was a pretty dramatic change. I guess it’s more of a forward’s curve. At first it was a little hard to make good passes. I was trying to get used to that in the summer, and once I did, from there my shot just felt like it was under control. Now my shot is harder and more accurate.’’

Question: Had you been using the same curve since junior?

DOUGHTY: “I used the same curve for three years in junior and it seemed to work in junior, but when I got up here last year, I kind of found that I was getting a lot of shots blocked, or I was missing the net. I just didn’t like the velocity on it, so I decided to change up the curve. I played with it this summer, to see what I liked best, and found a new one.’’