The 2018 CCM Super Tacks AS1 replaces the Super Tacks 2.0 as the mid-kick option in the Tacks family. The 5th generation Tacks is the lightest stick ever released within the lineup. That’s a great start, but it might also be the most durable and the most powerful Tacks stick as well. The AS1 is a true mid kick stick built for aggressive and powerful shooters like San Jose Sharks defenseman, Brent Burns.

The AS1 focuses in on two things: maximizing energy transfer and controlling the shot trajectory. We want to put as much as we can into shots, but we also want to know where the puck is going. It’s a tricky formula, but CCM has produced a stick that should help you pick corners and add a few MPH to your shot.

The AS1 features an optimized flex profile with a soft segment above the mid-point of the shaft for quick release wrist shots and increased stiffness from the mid-point to blade for maximum energy loading for snapshots.

Overall, the AS1 is a mid kick point stick at heart and is built for booming slapshots and heavyweight wrist shots. Those that prefer a low kick stick would still require an adjustment period to refine their technique if they switched over to the AS1. But this optimized flex profile will be a perfect fit for the true mid kick point player.

The AS1 shaft and blade are constructed using a new molding process from CCM called X-Flow technology. The idea behind the X-Flow process is to remove excess resin and voids when layering the carbon fiber sheets. This manufacturing method allowed CCM to shave 10g off the previous design while increasing fiber compaction.

As mentioned above, the AS1 blade is constructed using the X-Flow technology for an improved strength-to-weight ratio. What makes the ACU3 blade unique is a firm stiffness throughout. The blade is very stiff from heel to toe with minimal dampening. There is a tactile surface on the blade face, but that is specifically designed for shot control.