Worst part of hockey in my opinion is getting new skates for my bender. Every year we get a new pair of high end skates around this time frame (June) in order to break them in for the start of the season. I bring the kid to Pure hockey. They have him stand on that fitting machine and they give him his foot size and recommendation. That dam machine in my opinion is always way off. I tell them I do not want a skate that he has to grow into. I want a skate that fits so he can hit the ground running. Every year I get an over size skate and have to return them for a smaller size. Pain in the A$$!! I’m not worried about replacing the skate in 6 months especially if performance will be impacted. After last night skate my bender says my feet hurt! Which means time for a new pair. Please help me for going back to Pure Hockey!! Any recommendations to any other place to go to? I need a good fit. Not looking to change his skate (Bauer 3S Pro). All recommendations welcomed!! I live in Massachusetts. Willing to drive up to 500 miles to get this right the first time! 😝

Sports etc., Arlington

TSR in Salem NH. Also you might consider True skates if break in is an issue. My son Switched from Supreme to them last season. No break in needed. Steel is junk but replaced with Bladetech and all good.

Cookes in Wilmington.

If he plays in E9 or Tewksbury youth it doesn't matter what he wears

For EHF elite players, go to Cooke's in Wilmington.

Ha ha! What if the kid plays in both leagues, what do you recommend!! Got to admit, E9 development is better than EHF but the players in EHF are more talented. At least in the diaper level 2016-2013 from what I can see!! The EHF practices..kids just slaughter each other (battle,battle,battle) while E9 focus is skills skills skills (cone, cones, cone). Now if the two leagues can combine!!! Could it be best if both worlds?

Kind of have to agree with the post on development. Not for the high end kids but for the bottom of the roster. My kid was a diaper baby playing on an elite EHF team. He was # 8 out of 11 skaters. Good skater and competed well but it was clear the skills set was not there compared to top of the roster. The EHF team practiced battle drills (90%). He learned how to compete his butt off!! Their coaches were honest, do skills on your own time, we will focus on battles. I moved him to an E9 team based on a couple practices I had seen. Well, one year in, his skill set has dramatically improved and still competes his butt off. The little guy competes at a high level no matter the league he competes against. I think a mix of battling and skill set drills is better than pigeon hole’n the team to just one approach.

Guy or Lad ask for skate advice and it turns into an E9/Fed discussion. Kleen n Hard out of Worcester does a good job with sizing and getting you *****d appropriately.

You sir, are a tool. You need to buy yourself some skates as you probably never played the game before. FED/E9 makes no difference in a couple years. You will see. Now get back in your Subaru and drive away.

And get a Jofa helmet while you’re at it.

Second Cookes Skate in Wilmington.

Put 2 boys through top youth and juniors and neither ever got new skates until they were in juniors. Find a place with perfectly fine newer used skates that some rich kid just got rid of. Just like cars, saves a ton of $.

This is the best idea on this thread. Any recs on places to go?