First and foremost, Wayne Zwicker, owner of H.A. Zwicker skate shop in Bedford, Mass., is a businessman.
But he also has an unbridled passion for hockey and, without exception, strives to help every hockey parent and player select the best ice skates for their success, whether it’s a higher- or lower-end model.
"As a consumer, whether you’re a parent of a hockey player or the player, you want to deal with somebody who is steering you in the right direction," Zwicker said. "You want to speak with a person who won’t upsell you, but will instead get you the product that is best for your level."
The difference between more expensive and cheaper skates boils down to material and the amount of detail to fitting.
With that in mind, a common theme among hockey parents, particularly those who have extra dough in their wallets, is the desire to purchase the priciest pair of skates.