best hockey shops in chicago, minneapolis, detroit

[litespeed27 0]

so i've come to the conclusion that the best way to find my next pair of skates is to actually go to a shop and try them on and see the quality of skate i'm buying after getting a pair of defective grafs via online. my only problem is my very narrow feet. i need a shop that is big and has a large selection to include narrow skates, which is slim to none in my area. i work for the airlines and would consider flying somewhere to try them on. if you are reading this and work at a store let me know what you have as far as clearance specials, narrow grafs, any bauer c or b width skates. i could fly out and be back that afternoon, i know sounds crazy, but working for an airline has it's priveledges.

[number21 3]

i just recently moved from Chicago. In the city there isn't much, in the surrounding burbs there is stuff.

HawksQuarters- downtown, used prostock, no fitting service

Gunzo's - full service shop in Morton Grove they have a big new store, the HQ in Riverforest is small but also full service.

Total Hockey - regional chain and online - i used to go to the downers grove one. Full service shop, never had a fitting though.

Jerry's hockey warehouse - suburb. Never been but i have heard good things.

i don't know about detroit or minneapolis.

edit: my bad missed the narrows

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Those shops won't have narrows.

Check your PM.

[jrhky36 1]

in detroit.

peranis- the flint location 810-744-3338

perfect edge hockey (howel) 517-546-1897 (howel is a western sub of det.)

hope this helps

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I'll be in MI in early Dec, we can set up an appointment.

[cougarscaptain87 12]

how much you charge and hour these days for your one on one appts jr? 300 an hour with a happy ending? :P

[epstud74 24]

There are a lot of good shops in the Twin Cities and a few that are within 15-20 min of the MSP Airport.

WestWood Sports in Apple Valley and Bloomington-They should have skates that fit you Lots of skates and a basement full of sticks at the Bloomington, MN location. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop. Ask Andy about custom skates..

http://www.westwoodsports.com/

SportsDiamond.com-Lakeville, MN and St. Michael, MN-The Lakeville location is in a strip mall off I-35 on the 162nd st exit and maybe 15 min from the airport..Lots of gear and skates. Friendly staff..Got my custom heat moldable footbeds done there. You could email them and let them know you're coming.

http://www.sportsdiamond.com/

HockeyGiant which is a decent place to just try stuff on and browse sticks...I dont really buy gear there..but it is nearby on 494 and has a ton of stuff

www.hockeygiant.com

General Sports-Edina..in the 50th and France area. Old school hockey shop in a hockey rich area.. Just northwest of the airport about 20 minutes..Very capable staff and has been around for 40+ years. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop.

http://www.generalsports.us/hockey.html

Sportsworld USA-Eden Prairie, MN-It is just off Hwy 5 in a strip mall..Small shop with a TON of gear and sticks.. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Dave's Sport Shop-Fridley, MN (and Maple Grove) near 694..A TON of stuff and great selection-huge inventory

http://www.davessportshop.net/

Strauss Skate & Bicycles-Been around FOREVER (since 1887)..an icon in the area like Westwood Sports and Dave's Sport Shop..Near 694 and White Bear Ave

http://www.straussskatesandbicycles.com/1.html

Lettermen Sports-Blaine, MN & Plymouth, MN Also a online retailer..Pretty decent selection

http://www.lettermensports.com/

Mike Ramsey's Gold Medal Sports-Chanhassen, MN Down the road from Sportsworld USA about 5 min on Hwy 5. Lots of gear and helpful staff. (Really hot blonde chick that works in tech area) Owned by MN Wild asst coach and member of 1980 Olympic hockey team. I've been in there a few times...Looks as if they got a whole bunch of new gear recently..Guy working there really knows his stuff..

Sports Hut-Wayzata, MN- I havent bought gear here in awhile, but it is a neat store..A bit high priced, but very popular and fairly close to the lake. (Minnetonka) It has a very good reputation for gear and service.

http://www.sportshut.com/

Then you have your Hat Trick Hockey shops at the Richfield and Anoka arenas. Steichens, Boehms, etc..the list goes on and on.

[litespeed27 0]

wow, that was pretty timely. i was just thinking since we have about 5 or 6 flights a day there i would go rent a car and start hitting shops. thanks for the info.

[Flo Hockey 7 0]

Hockeygiant is brutal, Strauss does one of the best jobs on Sharpening in the area. Top Shelf Athletics in Shoreview is also excellent, plenty of skates and incredibly knowledgeable. They should be able to order anything for you and have it shipped anywhere if you like.

[RetiredTender 0]

As for Minneapolis area, epstud gave quite the suggestions there. Most of my equipment shopping career has been goaltender related, but I would certainly second Dave's, Westwood, or General. All great shops with knowledgeable staff in all fields.

[litespeed27 0]

think i'll be visiting those stores.

[epstud74 24]

Also, if you get a chance to work with JR.. I'd jump at that as well..

[Hoser 0]

Definitely vouch for Westwoods and Strauss, great shops and great service

[cbart 1]

Dave's has a new location right by the Super Rink...was up there yesterday. Off Baltimore street...

[nspeen 0]

I work at Westwood in Bloomington. If you want i can check tomorrow to see what sizes we have graf narrows in (if we even have any at all).

Just to make things a little easier, what size is your foot around?

[Rustpot 1]

I work at Westwood in Bloomington. If you want i can check tomorrow to see what sizes we have graf narrows in (if we even have any at all).

Just to make things a little easier, what size is your foot around?

From his thread talking about sizing for Grafs, he's right around a 7.5

[epstud74 24]

Were you working at Westwood last night?

[YouTuuk 0]

Just curious litespeed27, does TSA allow you to bring your skates on as a "carry on" - or are they a forbidden item.

Because otherwise some airlines charges $30 for checking in bags.....

i could fly out and be back that afternoon, i know sounds crazy, but working for an airline has it's priveledges.

[nspeen 0]

Were you working at Westwood last night?

Nope..have wed and thurs off this week :)

[jrhky36 1]

There are a lot of good shops in the Twin Cities and a few that are within 15-20 min of the MSP Airport.

WestWood Sports in Apple Valley and Bloomington-They should have skates that fit you Lots of skates and a basement full of sticks at the Bloomington, MN location. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop. Ask Andy about custom skates..

http://www.westwoodsports.com/

SportsDiamond.com-Lakeville, MN and St. Michael, MN-The Lakeville location is in a strip mall off I-35 on the 162nd st exit and maybe 15 min from the airport..Lots of gear and skates. Friendly staff..Got my custom heat moldable footbeds done there. You could email them and let them know you're coming.

http://www.sportsdiamond.com/

HockeyGiant which is a decent place to just try stuff on and browse sticks...I dont really buy gear there..but it is nearby on 494 and has a ton of stuff

www.hockeygiant.com

General Sports-Edina..in the 50th and France area. Old school hockey shop in a hockey rich area.. Just northwest of the airport about 20 minutes..Very capable staff and has been around for 40+ years. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop.

http://www.generalsports.us/hockey.html

Sportsworld USA-Eden Prairie, MN-It is just off Hwy 5 in a strip mall..Small shop with a TON of gear and sticks.. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Dave's Sport Shop-Fridley, MN (and Maple Grove) near 694..A TON of stuff and great selection-huge inventory

http://www.davessportshop.net/

Strauss Skate & Bicycles-Been around FOREVER (since 1887)..an icon in the area like Westwood Sports and Dave's Sport Shop..Near 694 and White Bear Ave

http://www.straussskatesandbicycles.com/1.html

Lettermen Sports-Blaine, MN & Plymouth, MN Also a online retailer..Pretty decent selection

http://www.lettermensports.com/

Mike Ramsey's Gold Medal Sports-Chanhassen, MN Down the road from Sportsworld USA about 5 min on Hwy 5. Lots of gear and helpful staff. (Really hot blonde chick that works in tech area) Owned by MN Wild asst coach and member of 1980 Olympic hockey team. I've been in there a few times...Looks as if they got a whole bunch of new gear recently..Guy working there really knows his stuff..

Sports Hut-Wayzata, MN- I havent bought gear here in awhile, but it is a neat store..A bit high priced, but very popular and fairly close to the lake. (Minnetonka) It has a very good reputation for gear and service.

http://www.sportshut.com/

Then you have your Hat Trick Hockey shops at the Richfield and Anoka arenas. Steichens, Boehms, etc..the list goes on and on.

which one is off the i35 at the catapiler shop exit. i rememeber back in the day (1977-1982) getting my skates used at a shop in bloominton that sold bikes upstairs and skates down. they had a ton of used skates.

[epstud74 24]

Westwood Bloomington. No bikes up there anymore. Just skates, protectives, apparel, goalie stuff, bags, tech area etc on top floor and the basement is ALL sticks wall to wall with some used/consignment skates.

There are a lot of good shops in the Twin Cities and a few that are within 15-20 min of the MSP Airport.

WestWood Sports in Apple Valley and Bloomington-They should have skates that fit you Lots of skates and a basement full of sticks at the Bloomington, MN location. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop. Ask Andy about custom skates..

http://www.westwoodsports.com/

SportsDiamond.com-Lakeville, MN and St. Michael, MN-The Lakeville location is in a strip mall off I-35 on the 162nd st exit and maybe 15 min from the airport..Lots of gear and skates. Friendly staff..Got my custom heat moldable footbeds done there. You could email them and let them know you're coming.

http://www.sportsdiamond.com/

HockeyGiant which is a decent place to just try stuff on and browse sticks...I dont really buy gear there..but it is nearby on 494 and has a ton of stuff

www.hockeygiant.com

General Sports-Edina..in the 50th and France area. Old school hockey shop in a hockey rich area.. Just northwest of the airport about 20 minutes..Very capable staff and has been around for 40+ years. Mainly a hockey/soccer/lacrosse shop.

http://www.generalsports.us/hockey.html

Sportsworld USA-Eden Prairie, MN-It is just off Hwy 5 in a strip mall..Small shop with a TON of gear and sticks.. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Dave's Sport Shop-Fridley, MN (and Maple Grove) near 694..A TON of stuff and great selection-huge inventory

http://www.davessportshop.net/

Strauss Skate & Bicycles-Been around FOREVER (since 1887)..an icon in the area like Westwood Sports and Dave's Sport Shop..Near 694 and White Bear Ave

http://www.straussskatesandbicycles.com/1.html

Lettermen Sports-Blaine, MN & Plymouth, MN Also a online retailer..Pretty decent selection

http://www.lettermensports.com/

Mike Ramsey's Gold Medal Sports-Chanhassen, MN Down the road from Sportsworld USA about 5 min on Hwy 5. Lots of gear and helpful staff. (Really hot blonde chick that works in tech area) Owned by MN Wild asst coach and member of 1980 Olympic hockey team. I've been in there a few times...Looks as if they got a whole bunch of new gear recently..Guy working there really knows his stuff..

Sports Hut-Wayzata, MN- I havent bought gear here in awhile, but it is a neat store..A bit high priced, but very popular and fairly close to the lake. (Minnetonka) It has a very good reputation for gear and service.

http://www.sportshut.com/

Then you have your Hat Trick Hockey shops at the Richfield and Anoka arenas. Steichens, Boehms, etc..the list goes on and on.

which one is off the i35 at the catapiler shop exit. i rememeber back in the day (1977-1982) getting my skates used at a shop in bloominton that sold bikes upstairs and skates down. they had a ton of used skates.

[USHLTender 0]

I work at hockey zone in waite park (St Cloud) and if you ever need anything or have any questions feel free to shoot me a message on here!

[Yoke 0]

I think I know somebody that used to work at that Hockey Zone, but I'm not real sure.

Hopefully Sports Diamond is better with the customer service for the hockey gear than the softball stuff. I know a lot of people that complain about the softball service.

[epstud74 24]

I've been meaning to drop into hockey zone. Mite stop in if I catch a SCSU-MN game this winter.

[litespeed27 0]

well, i flew up to msp. i never left the airport. i called several shops and it was a crapshoot with who would have my size. everything was pretty much standard width. i then jumped on an airplane and am sitting in a hotel room here in vancouver and will drive to the store tomorrow. cyclone taylor seems to have every size i need in several different skate models. i'll find out tomorrow. i appreciate everyone who helped me out. i talked to dirk, either at westwood or daves, i forget which, i called so many shops. he was great help and very knowledgeble, unfortuneatley he didn't have my size. nobody else did either. i was going to check out the canucks/coyotes game while i was here, but my plane was delayed and got in too late.

Just curious litespeed27, does TSA allow you to bring your skates on as a "carry on" - or are they a forbidden item.

Because otherwise some airlines charges $30 for checking in bags.....

actually got online to check that. i know i used to travel a lot with my equipment and used to take my skates on board before they started screening. if i do have to check them i believe i get a discount on that. this is my great skate adventure. the girlfriend is not too happy with me!!!