Winter Classic Pro Gear with Chris Driedger
- Driedger adapted Bobrovsky's sloped-shoulder stick grip and added a personal finger notch to improve paddle down ice coverage.
- Both Driedger and Bobrovsky slide their grip further up the stick on breakaways to gain extension and poke-check leverage.
- The custom grip also passively sets blocker position and keeps the stick blade flat along the ice without conscious effort.
- Driedger described the modified grip as making the stick feel like 'an extension of my arm,' improving power and control.
- The interview took place the day before the 2024 Winter Classic outdoor game in Seattle, where Driedger was playing for the Kraken.
Chris Driedger makes no apologies for stealing the idea for his custom stick grip from two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky during their time together with the Florida Panthers.
Driedger was, however, quick to point out he has added a modification of his own.
InGoal caught up with Driedger a day ahead of the Winter Classic outdoor game in Seattle on Monday, and while most were focussed on the custom pads, gloves and mask used to mark the special occasion, we went right to the custom Warrior stick Driedger was wielding.
It’s a combination of Bobrovsky’s sloped shoulder with a finger notch, which Driedger likes for paddle down coverage, but he also shared how he adjusts his grip for breakaways:
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