The Pro Shop(s)

A new season is upon us, so, as always, its time to evaluate your gear and figure out if anything needs to be replaced.

So, where to buy your snazzy new gear (or cheapest, lightest possible shoulder pads, as the case may be)? Back in the old days, before the internet, you basically had two options in California: (1) buy from your rink's pro shop, or (2) there might be one hockey store in the area, at least in the Bay Area. Those were the bad old days. As a part time antitrust lawyer, I can attest the lack of options meant a lack of competition, and corresponding high prices. Maybe if you had family back east you might have had a couple more choices, but it's not as though the local sporting goods store was going to help any.

Today it's a brave new world. The internet resources are tremendous, and competition is here. Prices are lower, you can comparison shop, you can peruse every brand. It's awesome.

Here are my online resources: Hockey Giant, Hockey Monkey, epuck, and Peranis.
Hockey Giant and Hockey Monkey are essentially the same. Big stores, have just about everything, competitive pricing, and often good deals on last year's fancy new stuff. Having read Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat, I suspect that these two don't have very much actual stock, they just have direct links to the manufacturer/suppliers. I suspect this because they invariably have exactly the same things in stock and for sale (down to the sizes and colors available). I've used both and my only real complaint is that they both have stores in California, so in addition to shipping, I have to pay sales tax. Bummer. I think there is a Goalie Monkey, too. But I'm not a goalie, so I don't much care.

Epuck is a much smaller operation. They have far less to choose from and a site that isn't necessarily the easiest to navigate, but they make up for it with excellent pricing. If they have what you need, they likely have it at the lowest price. And I don't remember having to pay sales tax on what I ordered from them.

Peranis somehow feels the most authentic to me. Going to their website (and now you have to go a step further to Hockey World, their subsidiary) it just feels like you've entered a place that was built by some old hockey dudes who have been retailing hockey gear forever. It's not fancy, pretty, all that user friendly, but it's got a bunch of hockey stuff from every real hockey supplier in the world, not just the "Nike/Bauer," Reebok, CCM, Easton, and Mission Stuff. Besides, they sell all kind of ancient stuff that hasn't been made in years (Cooper, for instance) that must still just be collecting dust in their brick and mortar stores (in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas (!?!)). If you're looking for a deal on something that's out of print, Peranis is your place. And no sales tax in California!

Those are my online stops. I'm happy to buy most protective equipment online. I haven't changed much in size in a long time, and I tend to stick with a brand (Jofa, now Reebok, for shin and elbow pads), so I'm not all that concerned with trying the stuff on in a store first. There's no reason not to buy stick blades, tape, facemasks, etc. on line, if you can beat the brick and mortar prices.

That said, I like the old hockey shop. I like walking in and picking stuff up. I like trying stuff on, flexing sticks, perusing the hockey sweaters, the whole experience. In the Bay Area, the old hockey shop was M-Sport. They also set up shop as the local pro shop in several of the area rinks, including Oakland. They weren't bad on price, but neither were they great. I think they are 100% gone now. In Oakland, in M-Sport's old place on Hegenberger Road, is Hockey XSport (located on the web at http://www.hockeyxsport.com/). I know a bunch of guys use this place, and they guarantee low prices, so that's nice. I haven't been since it was M-Sport back in maybe 1991, so I have no idea, but guys seem to like it.

My favorite place is East West Hockey (http://www.eastwesthockey.com/) in San Carlos (the opposite side of the Bay from Oakland, about 20 minutes south of San Francisco). I think the place is owned by the Figone family, and Jason Figone seems to run it. He owns/runs a hockey store becuase he loves hockey. You walk in there and you know you're dealing with people who are serious about the game and can help you find the right stuff. It doesn't have the greatest selection in the world, but what they have is all high quality stuff, and normally at reasonable prices (that's what the internet will do for you). Actually, basically all he carries is high quality stuff, so if you're looking for the cheapest shoulder pad in the world, he's probably not your best option. Also, he carries a lot of pro return equipment, so if you want the real deal, he can get it for you. Moreover, if you buy your skates there (and you simply can't buy skates online -- you've gotta try them on first), they will sharpen them for $3 a pop. Not a bad deal. And they are good at skate sharpening. Way better than the old Oakland Ice Pro Shop (M-Sport) guys were. Moreover, you can get custom skates from Jason. Again, if you want the NHL Bauers, rather than the retail Bauers, he can hook you up. In addition, Jason's got one of those cool shooting ranges. Want to buy a new stick? Take it into the cage and see how it actually performs. Pretty cool (and humbling to find out just how bad my aim is).

One thing about the brick and mortar hockey shop. They know the internet is out there undercutting them. They are willing to make a deal. Hockey X-Sport is explicit about it: they'll match any price. The brick and mortar place is willing to cut a deal to make the sale. So if you think you're overpaying, let them know. Or, if you find what you want online and you like your local shop, give them a call and see if they will match the price to make the sale. I generally like supporting the local guy, even if its at a little discount. Heck, I'll pay a little more . . . but only a little.