Patent ID: 7232386

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a hockey stick comprising: a) providing a cured tubular composite hockey stick shaft configured at its lower region to be joined to the heel region of a hockey stick blade; b) providing an uncured composite hockey stick blade pre-form configured to be joined to the lower region of the cured hockey stick shaft; c) inserting the lower region of the cured hockey stick shaft into the heel region of the uncured hockey stick blade pre-form using a rotational motion in which said heel region comprises an open slot into which said lower region is rotated into position, such that upon full insertion, one side of said lower region becomes the back side of said blade portion; d) inserting the uncured hockey stick blade pre-form and the joined portion of the cured tubular composite hockey stick shaft into a mold configured to receive the uncured blade pre-form and at least a portion of the lower region of the cured hockey stick shaft and to impart the desired exterior shape of the hockey stick blade upon curing; and e) curing the hockey stick blade pre-form around the interposed lower region of the cured hockey stick shaft with application of heat.