[HockeyDave]

I'm a new player looking to purchase good hockey skates. I'd appreciate recommendations on the best stores to buy skates (and why) in Minneapolis / the southwest suburbs. I need good advice and a patience sales person, but I also want to find a place with good selection. I've done some research online, but I'd like to try a few pairs to find one that fits well.

I've also read that some stores offer free sharpenings and even free baking with purchase, which offsets the higher cost compared to online stores. However, I haven't found any policies on local stores' websites. It would be great to know what stores offer what with the purchase of new skates.

Thanks in advance.

[njkivimaki]

In my most recent experience, my skates were shipped to total hockey for christmas. They told my parents that they would be in, no problem, at LEAST a week before christmas, and that they would for sure be under the tree. WELL. I got them 2 weeks after christmas, as well as them completely screwing up a stick order, that I also didnt get until way after christmas. I wrote down for my parents the exact specs on the stick i wanted, including curve, flex, brand, and lie, and the employees still managed to give my dad the completely wrong stick. I dont blame them, christmas is busy, but with that said... DON'T GO TO TOTAL HOCKEY TO BUY. Go there to try on skates since they have a huge selection, try them out to see how they are. Then, take your business to General Sports, located right at 50th and france. Small shop, will order whatever you want if they don't have it. Super patient staff, I go in there all the time to check stuff out over Total hockey. I can't even express how nice it is to walk into a small local shop, have the staff recognize you, make small talk with you while you are perusing the gear, recommending trying their new sticks and skates out/on, and being friendly. General Sports knows how to take care of a customer. I will say however, when they are busy, it is hard to get someone to help you.

My plan for you would be to go to total hockey, try on their selection, and find something you like. Prices will be near the same at General Sports. Go there knowing what pair of skates you want, and buy from general sports. They have free lifetime sharpenings on any skate bought there, and I am not positive but I think they bake them for you once for free as well. ask them about that last part, I cant remember.

Pardon my typos, it is late and I am way too lazy to type in correct english. <<Like right there, that should be capitalized.

Alright, I hope that helped, and let me know if you end up going to general.

-Nelson

[mheutmaker]

Hey guys,
I'd just like to add that I wouldn't just write off Total Hockey (or any other local shops). There is something to be said about trying on and actually buying the exact pair of skates that fit you, and not ordering a pair that is "exactly" the same. There are small variations in anything that is made with human hands, as hockey skates are. I know this because I spent a few years as an engineer at RollerBlade and fit would vary from skate to skate a little bit.

So I'm just saying that if you find a pair of skates, no matter where, and they fit great, you were happy with the service you received, and the price is right, I'd buy there. Free sharpenings, and a place where 'everyone knows your name' is great, but a pair of skates that fits correclty trumps all.

Be sure to bring whatever socks you may want to wear when skating too.

Good luck! Oh, and I didn't check my spelling either. :-)

Mike

[sborri]

I always recommend "General Sports" on 50th and France in Edina.
Their staff is extremely knowledgeable on fitting skates. I'm not sure what their current policy is for free sharpening etc.
I do have free sharpening but that policy may have changed since I bought my last pair of skates.
As for price, I do know that I've been able to negotiate a very good price on all the equipment I've purchased there including skates.

[americanja]

HockeyDave, on 26 January 2012 - 10:50 PM, said:

I'm a new player looking to purchase good hockey skates. I'd appreciate recommendations on the best stores to buy skates (and why) in Minneapolis / the southwest suburbs. I need good advice and a patience sales person, but I also want to find a place with good selection. I've done some research online, but I'd like to try a few pairs to find one that fits well.

I've also read that some stores offer free sharpenings and even free baking with purchase, which offsets the higher cost compared to online stores. However, I haven't found any policies on local stores' websites. It would be great to know what stores offer what with the purchase of new skates.

Thanks in advance.

See Tim Balis (reginal manager) from Total Hockey at Edina. He'll make sure you will walk out with properly fitted skates.

[Keyla]

Hockey Dave,

Aside from the options mentioned above already, I have always had good luck with both Dave's Sporting Goods and Hockey Central. Hockey Giant is another option on the South side of town. Hockey Central even has a rental/trade-in program that may assist you in getting the right skate for your needs without erroneously pulling the trigger on a high-end skate.

On the other hand, you might get luck at any shop that carries consignment and/or used skates. I got my first pair of CCMs that way and have been wearing various pairs of Tacks ever since.

Good luck!

P.S. You don't need $400+ skates even though its VERY tempting

[bjocks]

Keyla, on 27 January 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

Hockey Dave,

Aside from the options mentioned above already, I have always had good luck with both Dave's Sporting Goods and Hockey Central. Hockey Giant is another option on the South side of town. Hockey Central even has a rental/trade-in program that may assist you in getting the right skate for your needs without erroneously pulling the trigger on a high-end skate.

On the other hand, you might get luck at any shop that carries consignment and/or used skates. I got my first pair of CCMs that way and have been wearing various pairs of Tacks ever since.

Good luck!

P.S. You don't need $400+ skates even though its VERY tempting

I recommend Lettermans Sports in Blaine- you get a free membership with skate purchase,which is good for discounts and FREE skate sharpening for up to 4 pairs of skates each day,every day!

[HockeyDave]

Thanks everyone - these are helpful replies.

Quick question on the bigger stores: does Hockey Giant have a bigger selection than Total Hockey? Are the prices better? Are any of the Total Hockeys better than the others?

I will check out General Sports.

Also, how much would you recommend a new player spend on skates? I plan to play twice a week and skate another day.

[HockeyGiant]

HockeyDave, on 27 January 2012 - 06:45 PM, said:

Thanks everyone - these are helpful replies.

Quick question on the bigger stores: does Hockey Giant have a bigger selection than Total Hockey? Are the prices better? Are any of the Total Hockeys better than the others?

I will check out General Sports.

Also, how much would you recommend a new player spend on skates? I plan to play twice a week and skate another day.

I have no Idea if our selection is bigger than Total Hockey; We carry Bauer, Easton, Reebok and CCM, our sizes and model selection changes weekly but we can order in anything from our web. With pricing I would say we are about the same as Total Hockey and we do have a price match policy we match both online and other local retailers. We also offer 10 free sharpenings with skate purchase.

For the amount you spent that would be up to you but I would recommend at least a skate with a replaceable steel. Skates with replaceable steel usually have a better boot and a tongue that has better padding which help prevent lace bite and offers better protection against shots. These skates are usually can be baked which help to speed in the break in time.

[jeffovikes]

I got my skates at Hockey Giant, and would recommend them or Total Hockey. Strauss I think price match as well, and is the place to go for kids skates.

One thing I would add is to buy skates in town- that way you can get them 'baked' while you are at the store. That will help fit the skate to your foot.