Hockey Stick Review: Warrior Covert QRL

Released (and quickly turning out to be one of the best hockey sticks) in 2016, the flagship model of the low-kick Warrior line of sticks, Warrior Covert QRL, is specifically designed for quick release shots while shedding excess weight.

From the Manufacturer

Warrior Covert QRL: Construction

A one-piece stick with fully molded blade and shaft, Warrior Covert QRL is made of an improved (stronger and lighter than its predecessors) Minimus flat-woven, aerospace-grade carbon fiber that makes it extremely lightweight and well-balanced. Fiberglass reinforcement improves durability (40% over the QR1 stick).

The shaft has straight side walls with rounded corners and features a grip finish. The Dagger Tapper III is thinner at the top for lower flex and kick point and wider at the bottom to reduce blade torque, all of which makes the stick makes it very responsive. The tacky Pro CorTex grip features ridges for greater control.

The blade is Warrior’s TwinSpar structure, in which carbon structures connect the front and back for more durability and responsiveness, wrapped around the HardCore X Foam core for greater pop.

Warrior Covert QRL: Specifications

• One piece
• Length:
  • Senior: 60 and 63 in
  • Intermediate: 57 in
  • Junior: 51 in
• Weight: 409 grams
• Flex: 75 (60 in only), 85, 100, 110
• Kick point: Low
• Blade patterns and lies:
  • W01-Lupul (60 in only): mid heel curve, 3/8 in deep, slightly open face, round toe; Lies 4/5/6
  • W02-Lidstrom (60 in only): heel curve, open face, square toe; Lie 5
  • W03-Backstrom: mid curve, 1/2 in deep, open face, round toe; Lies 4/5
  • W05-Grandlund (60 in only): heel curve, 9/16 in deep, open face, round toe; Lie 5
  • W16-Karlsson (60 in only): mid heel curve, 9/16 in deep, slightly open face, square toe; Lie 5
  • W28-Yakupov (60 in only): toe curve, 1/2 in deep, open face, round toe; Lie 4
  • W71-Pacioretty (60 in only): mid curve, 9/16 in deep, open face, round toe; Lie 5
  • W88-Zetterberg: mid curve, 1/2 in deep, slightly open face, round toe; Lie 4
• Grip: Yes – Pro CorTex Grip / No – Clear

Warrior Covert QRL: Our Take

The Warrior Covert QRL is another gradual improvement on the already great earlier Covert models, with new materials and redesigned taper improving balance, weight, durability, and release velocity.

Warrior touts QRL’s “lightning quick release” as “one of quickest shot releases on the market,” and it is no exaggeration; improvements over its predecessors in the Covert line, including the QR1, are noticeable. Players using the QRL appreciate that it loads and releases energy more quickly. Its very low kick point and thin taper will please snipers who love their wrist and quick snap shots. Given how fast the game can be, the Covert QRL will help improve your shots if you are looking to step it up a notch.

Despite being a very lightweight ice hockey stick (10 grams lighter than its close competitor, Bauer Vapor 1X), the Warrior Covert QRL handles pucks well with a very responsive, stiff blade that enables you to know where the puck is at all time. On the flipside, the blade is perhaps a little too lively on hard passes and shots.

The Warrior Covert QRL stick is also more durable than its lightweight competitors among both Warrior sticks and other brands, retaining its new-stick feel over prolonged heavy use, provided you take few slap shots.

With orange and light-blue accents on a black stick, the Warrior Covert QRL is not only noticeable, it’s good looking on the ice.

The Warrior Covert QRL’s greatest drawback, price, puts this hockey stick in the same category as other brands’ high-end models: ideal for top goal scorers with no budget issues. With the QRL, however, you get what you pay for.

Professional ice hockey players who have used the Warrior Covert QRL include Max Pacioretty, Niklas Backstrom, Torey Krug, and Brendan Gallagher.

Warrior Covert QRL: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Quick release
• Balance and feel
• Light

Cons

• Price

Warrior Covert QRL: Verdict

A high-end stick at a high-end price, Warrior Covert QRL delivers quick shots for pure goal scorers looking to top their game.

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