Where there is success, there is also a chance for a player to cost his team. Let me explain. When it comes to Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, there’s guaranteed to be success each and every year. He is the best player in the world. I suppose, sometimes he might just be able to get away with some things.
MacKinnon can do it all: Wrist shot, slap shot, skate through three defenders on his way to the net, etc. He can also cost the Avalanche thousands of dollars each season. How, exactly?
Well, a nugget that I came across on Tuesday was a quote by MacKinnon via Bleacher Report Open Ice, where he said that, “My trainers don’t like me that much,” because he goes through 400 sticks through a single hockey season. You read that right: 400 sticks each season!
In a recent interview, Nathan MacKinnon said he goes through 400 sticks‼️ during an NHL season.
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 2, 2025
“My trainers don’t like me that much.” 😂 (via @CwenchHydration) pic.twitter.com/RRYUU4pzKK
Now, it’s unknown how many of those broken sticks were off of shots that ended up as goals, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a good amount because, well, he scores a lot. It’s fair to be a bit skeptical about the number he provided, but I’m sure he has some sort of idea. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have said it.
Think about it: You’re in the middle of the third frame, you’re down by two goals. You have to bring out the big guns to put the puck on the net successfully. You’re in the moment, not thinking about anything but getting that puck past the opposing goaltender. Of course there’s a pretty significant chance that your stick is going to break. But 400? Heck, I haven’t even brought up the fact that players sometimes break their stick out of anger when they exit the ice.
When you think about the fact that hockey sticks aren’t wood anymore, but fiberglass composite materials, it makes it even more crazy how they break so easily. It blows my mind, frankly.
I would love an official stick-breaking statistic that you can find somewhere online. No, it doesn’t add any sort of value to their career, but it would just be a fun thing for fans to check out.
Here’s to a 2025-26 season where I hope that most of the stick breaking is due to more celebrations than due to anger. If that’s the case, the Avalanche likely will be having quite a successful season.
We are finally creeping towards the season. Hopefully it will be a season that sees MacKinnon breaking sticks and breaking records.