CCM Trigger 8 Pro Review: Specs, Differences, NHL Players

There’s a moment in a hockey game when the puck lands on your blade and you have a split second to release it. The stick you’re holding decides whether that flick becomes a highlight or a turnover. The CCM Ribcor Trigger 8 Pro is engineered for that fraction of a second, and understanding how it stacks up against its predecessor and successor can help you decide if it belongs in your bag.

Weight: 380 g ·
Kick Point: Low ·
Price (Senior): $399 CAD ·
Construction: Dual-Feel blade technology

The table below lays out the full specification set for the CCM Trigger 8 Pro, pulling together confirmed measurements and construction details from multiple sources.

What is the difference between Trigger 8 and Trigger 8 Pro?

The standard Trigger 8 and the Trigger 8 Pro share the same low-kick philosophy, but the Pro version adds key refinements that push price and performance apart. Here’s what changes.

Price difference

• Trigger 8 (senior): approximately $299 CAD
• Trigger 8 Pro (senior): $399 CAD (Reddit community (hockey player discussions))

Build and technology differences

• Trigger 8 Pro uses Dual-Feel blade technology — a foam dampener in the heel that reduces puck wobble and absorbs hard passes (Inline Warehouse (specialist inline & ice hockey retailer)).
• The Trigger 8 Pro adds RibCor E-Geometry (ergonomic shaft shape) — segmented rounded concave at top, convex in middle, shaped lower shaft for quicker release (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).
• Both sticks use Carbon NanoLite and Sigmatex STp carbon fiber (Inline Warehouse (specialist inline & ice hockey retailer)).

Performance differences

• Inline Warehouse reported the Trigger 8 Pro felt crisper on release and better at puck retention during shooting.
• The Pro version is 380 g (GearGeek) or 375 g (Inline Warehouse) — roughly the same as the standard Trigger 8.

What is the difference between CCM Trigger 8 Pro and 9 Pro?

The Trigger 9 Pro is the natural successor, and CCM made incremental upgrades rather than a top-to-bottom overhaul. The Hockey Shop’s review of the Trigger 9 Pro offers the clearest comparison.

Blade technology

• Trigger 9 Pro retains the Dual-Feel foam dampener from the Trigger 8 Pro, but the foam recipe was tweaked for even lower vibration and softer puck touch (The Hockey Shop (specialist hockey retailer & reviewer)).
• Agility 3 blade core carried over from Trigger 8 Pro.

Shaft construction

• Trigger 9 Pro grip was adjusted to work better with the ergonomic shaft geometry first introduced on the Trigger 8 (The Hockey Shop (specialist hockey retailer & reviewer)).
• Both sticks use Sigmatex STp carbon fiber and Carbon NanoLite.

Weight and balance

• Exact weight of the Trigger 9 Pro is not confirmed in available sources; early reports suggest a slight reduction from the Trigger 8 Pro’s 380 g (HockeyStickMan (enthusiast equipment site))
• Kick point remains low.

NHL adoption

• The Trigger 9 Pro has been adopted by more NHL players, including Sidney Crosby and others, while the Trigger 8 Pro saw usage during the 2023 development camps and early-season media events (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).

What kick point is Trigger 8 Pro?

The Trigger 8 Pro is a low-kick stick, period. The shaft design and blade foam work together to maximize wrist-shot speed.

Low kick explained

• A low kick point means the shaft flexes closer to the blade, loading energy into the lower half of the stick. This produces a faster release on wrist shots and snap shots (SportChek (Canadian sporting goods retailer)).
• The ergonomic shaft geometry — rounded concave at top, convex in middle, shaped lower section — is designed to position the hands exactly where the flex is strongest (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).

Comparison to mid kick

• Mid-kick sticks (like CCM Jetspeed or Bauer Nexus) flex higher up the shaft, generating power on slap shots but slower on quick releases.
• Low-kick sticks dominate the market for forwards who rely on wrist shots and one-timers in tight spaces.

Benefits for wrist shots

• The foam insert in the heel (Dual-Feel Technology) reduces puck bounce on reception, making it easier to settle the puck and release quickly (Inline Warehouse (specialist inline & ice hockey retailer)).

Who uses the Trigger 8 Pro in the NHL?

Public sightings of the Trigger 8 Pro in NHL hands are limited, but a few names have been reported.

List of reported NHL players

• Lucas Raymond (Detroit Red Wings) was spotted with several Ribcor Trigger 8 Pros while playing for Sweden’s national team in May 2023 (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).
• Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) was photographed with the Trigger 8 Pro graphic at the NHL Player Media Tour in September 2023 (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).
• Multiple NHL prospects and development camp attendees used the Trigger 8 Pro in July 2023 (GearGeek (enthusiast hockey review site)).

Why they choose it

• The low kick point and quick release suit forwards who need to get shots off fast.
• The ergonomic shaft and dampened blade offer a premium feel that elite players demand.

Comparison to Trigger 9 Pro users

• The Trigger 9 Pro has been adopted more widely, including by Crosby and likely others, but the Trigger 8 Pro remains in rotation for players who prefer the earlier model’s feel.

What are the top 5 hockey sticks?

When ranking the best sticks on the market, the CCM Trigger 8 Pro consistently appears in the low-kick category alongside top competitors.

Criteria for top sticks

• Weight, kick point, durability, puck feel, and price influence rankings.
• Low-kick sticks dominate the list because they match the shooting style of most modern forwards.

Where the Trigger 8 Pro ranks

• GearGeek lists it among the top low-kick sticks for its balanced weight (380 g) and advanced blade technology.
• Inline Warehouse gave it high marks for release speed and feel.

Other top competitors

• Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2 (low kick, 370 g range)
• Warrior Covert QR6 Pro (low kick, similar weight)
• CCM Trigger 9 Pro (direct successor, marginally lighter)
• Bauer Nexus Sync (mid-low kick, all-around performer)

The comparison table below positions the Trigger 8 Pro against its direct successor and the closest low-kick competitors in the same weight class.

Quotes from the community

“The biggest difference I saw was price, $299 CAD vs $399.”

— Reddit user, r/hockeyplayers (community discussion thread)

“A low-kick stick, with the goal of quickening the player’s release.”

— GearGeek review (hockey equipment enthusiast site)

“The Trigger 8 Pro felt crisper on release and better at puck retention during shooting compared to the standard Trigger 8.”

— Inline Warehouse review (specialist hockey retailer)

“Many pro stock versions of the Trigger 8 Pro were seen with a silver color instead of the retail purple.”

— GearGeek (hockey equipment enthusiast site)

For a forward who builds their game around quick wrist shots and tight puck handling, the CCM Trigger 8 Pro delivers a purpose-built tool at a price that undercuts the newest flagship. The drawbacks — the $100 premium over the standard Trigger 8, and a design that favors wrist shots over slap shots — are trade-offs, not flaws. For the player who wants a low-kick stick with premium feel but doesn’t need the absolute latest model, the Trigger 8 Pro is a rational, high-performance choice. For the player chasing every gram and every grip refinement, the Trigger 9 Pro awaits at a higher price.

Related reading: 2026 Olympic Hockey Schedule · World Juniors 2026 Scores

For a comparison with another top-tier CCM model, check out the CCM Jetspeed FT7 Pro review which uses a different kick point and blade technology.

Frequently asked questions