Guide to Ice Hockey Equipment

Become the go-to business for hockey enthusiasts looking for high-quality ice hockey equipment

By Margaret Haerens

Extremely
Useful

8.0

out of 10

Add Your Comments

Ice hockey equipment is essential to the game of hockey, which remains a popular sport amongst men, women, and children. It has been estimated that 18-20 million Americans play ice hockey in schools, universities, and recreation leagues, as well as on beer league, amateur hockey, extramural, and other informal teams, across the country, on both indoor and outdoor rinks.

To effectively play the game, players must have a set of ice hockey gear that includes skates, an ice hockey stick and a puck. For safety’s sake, they also need helmets, protective padding, hockey gloves, pants and other apparel, skate runners, and ice skate sharpeners.

If you are opening a retail store or hockey business that sells ice hockey equipment, you should keep a few things in mind:

Be knowledgeable about brands, styles, new technology and fit.
Offer a wide range of hockey skates, sticks and other hockey gear.
Provide excellent customer service—hockey equipment is expensive, and helpful salespeople and consultants will attract long-time, repeat customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Both beginner and advanced players will want high-performance ice hockey skates

Ice hockey skates play a vital role in a hockey player's on-ice performance, no matter their skill level, age or experience. You should offer a range of affordable, durable, and comfortable skates for men, women and children.

I recommend: The leading manufacturer of ice hockey skates, CCM, sells blades, apparel, equipment bags and other ice hockey equipment. Another top manufacturer of ice hockey gear, Nike Bauer, offers a wide range of high-quality ice hockey skates, as well as sticks, pads, pants, gloves and helmets.

The right ice hockey stick is an essential tool for any hockey player

A high performance ice hockey stick results in maximum scoring performance on the ice. Have a wide selection for all age ranges and skill levels--and don't forget the goalies!

I recommend: Easton is a hockey distributor and manufacturer that offers a variety of highly-regarded ice hockey equipment, particularly Kevlar-graphite and wooden sticks. They also supply ice hockey skates, skate runners, pants, protective padding, helmets, gloves and other apparel. TPS Hockey has a nice selection of goalie sticks and other ice hockey goalie equipment—like trappers, ice hockey goalie pads, chest protectors, blockers, bags and apparel—as well as regular hockey sticks and other popular hockey products. Vaughn Custom Sports specializes in hockey goalie equipment, particularly ice hockey sticks for goalies, pads and other products.

Find a selection of ice hockey equipment that will attract players of all skill levels

Hockey players need a variety of ice hockey equipment: gloves, protective pads, helmets, hockey pants, puck shooting machines and skate sharpeners. To provide full service and happy customers, offer a wide range of hockey products.

I recommend: Mission specializes in ice hockey gear, manufacturing everything from skates and sticks to protective pads, helmets, gloves, bags and performance apparel. One of the leading hockey puck manufacturers, 49cent-puck, specializes in regulation, custom, and printed hockey pucks. Redi-Edge Ice sells a range of ice skate sharpening sets, ranging from a team skate sharpening set with seven ROH sharpeners, to a pocket skate sharpener. They also have a specialized ice skate sharpener for goalies.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Serious hockey players will demand a full selection of skate maintenance products for their ice hockey skates. If properly cared for, the life of a boot and blade can be dramatically prolonged to maintain the skate's original comfort and performance. Make sure you stock an appealing range of care products for your customers.
A good fit is essential to a safe, comfortable and excellent skating experience. It is imperative you have knowledgeable and experienced customer service to aid your customer in their search for the perfect skate. Great customer service will often make repeat customers!
There is a strong youth market in hockey, and young male and female players are looking for exciting, trendy products that are also high performance and high quality. Take advantage of this market with youth-oriented marketing campaigns and youth outreach to local rinks and teams. For instance, you can sponsor a recreational league or local team. These contacts will be important in the long run.

The official source of Ice Hockey Equipment is the Ice Hockey Equipment page at Business.com

Related Resources from Business.com

Ice Hockey Equipment

Comments

Loading Comments...