Hockey stick blade application/removal tool

A method of applying a replacement blade to or removing a replacement blade from the blade receiving end of a hockey stick shaft, said hockey stick shaft having top, bottom and side edges defining an outer shaft configuration and outer shaft dimensions and a hollow blade receiving end, with an inner shaft configuration and inner shaft dimensions, said replacement blade having a connecting end for insertion into said hollow receiving end, said connection end having an outer blade configuration and outer blade dimensions approximating, or slightly smaller than, said inner shaft, dimensions, either said blade receiving end or said connecting end being coated with a heat sensitive adhesive, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a blade application/removal tool comprising a rigid U-shaped heat plate of a heat conductive material having an inner cavity substantially conforming to said outer shaft configuration and with dimensions slightly greater than said outer shaft dimensions and an open top, a selectively removable top heat plate having dimensions sufficiently large to span said open top, a heating element connected with said U-shaped heat plate and an outer housing;
• placing said hollow blade receiving end into said inner cavity and placing said top heat plate over said open top so that said top heat plate spans said open end;
• heating said hollow blade receiving end with said tool;
• inserting said connecting end into said hollow blade receiving end or removing said connecting end from said hollow blade receiving end;
• and
• removing said top heat plate and removing said hollow blade receiving end from said inner cavity.