It’s not likely many hockey shops will allow players to take a new one-piece composite stick for a spin before buying it, but more and more retailers are finding a way help shoppers make the right choice.

Service, after all, is what sets apart hockey shop excellence from average.

With one-piece composite sticks costing hundreds of dollars, it’s understandable that players and parents want guidance, if not a few test shots, before plunking down the plastic or cash for the latest weaponry.

Some shops have small demo areas with road hockey nets and ball hockey balls for customers to stickhandle and shoot with, but that’s hardly a true test of a stick’s suitability and performance.

Hockey Experts of Montreal is one hockey specialty retailer that has a special section cordoned off to allow for customers to test sticks.

Another company, Dupliskate Jonah Ltd., also of Montreal, is marketing Accustik, a stick testing device designed precisely for such in-store demo areas.

Measuring 18 by 30 by 20 inches, the device is a box-like structure with built-in sensor technology. With the device placed on the floor, customers can test sticks by shooting a puck into the Accustik’s opening. A digital read-out provides instant feedback on shot accuracy and velocity.

If the hockey store you shop at doesn’t provide any such service, consider offering the manager a suggestion. Or shop around.