Troy Terry Switched Sticks Before the Playoffs... And It's Working

Troy Terry’s journey to becoming a key piece of the Anaheim Ducks’ resurgence has been years in the making, but his performance in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has officially put him on a new level.

Now in his eighth NHL season, the 28-year-old forward is delivering exactly what the organization envisioned when he first emerged as a standout prospect from the University of Denver and on the international stage with Team USA.

Over the past few seasons, Terry has quietly established himself as a reliable top-six forward, highlighted by back-to-back 60-point campaigns and consistent 50-point production. For a Ducks team built around a rising young core, Terry represents the perfect blend of experience and prime-age performance. With Anaheim returning to the postseason for the first time in several years, his role has never been more important.

So far, he has delivered in a big way.

In Anaheim’s first-round victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Terry recorded three goals and five assists for eight points in six games. Those are elite numbers for any player, let alone one making his playoff debut against a veteran-heavy Oilers squad.

His ability to produce offensively while maintaining composure in high-pressure situations has been a major factor in the Ducks’ success. As the team now prepares to face the Vegas Golden Knights, it’s clear that Terry is not just contributing, but he’s also driving play.

Naturally, performances like this are fueling growing belief that the Ducks have officially “arrived.” With a talented young roster and players like Terry leading the charge, Anaheim looks poised to be a competitive force in the Western Conference for years to come.

But beyond the on-ice production, there’s another storyline surrounding Terry that has captured the attention of hockey equipment enthusiasts.

Going into Game 1 against Edmonton, Terry made a surprising and somewhat unconventional decision. He switched from his long-trusted Warrior sticks to CCM. 

For a player who has been closely associated with Warrior gear throughout his career, dating back to his time with the Denver Pioneers, this was a notable shift. In today’s NHL, it’s not uncommon for players to make tweaks, update to new models, or change stick graphics within the same brand. However, switching brands entirely, especially on the eve of the playoffs, is certainly more of a rarity.

Interestingly, this isn’t Terry’s first experience with CCM. During his rookie season, he used CCM sticks and gloves, largely due to his time spent in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, where league equipment agreements influenced player usage. This time, however, the decision appears to be entirely his own.

So far, it’s working.

Terry’s strong playoff performance has sparked what we may now call the “Terry CCM Watch.” Could this be the beginning of a larger shift in his equipment setup? Will CCM look to formalize a partnership with a player who is clearly thriving while using their sticks on one of the league’s biggest stages?

While it may be unlikely that Terry transitions to a full-CCM setup during this playoff run, the possibility of a more comprehensive switch heading into next season feels very real. A move like that would not only mark a significant change for Terry personally, but also create a compelling new player-brand storyline within the equipment world.

For now, though, the focus remains on the ice, where Troy Terry is proving that he belongs on hockey’s biggest stage. Regardless of what logo is on his stick.

Photo Credit: Debora Robinson