David Nectow
Owner/CEO | Pure Hockey
Whether you’re in need of a new stick, a jersey order for your team or the whole nine yards, odds are you’re heading to Pure Hockey. And with 54 locations in 18 states, plus an expansive online store, consumers know where to go: exactly where their hockey equipment, apparel and lifestyle needs will be met.
They have David Nectow and Sal Tiano to thank for that, two business partners who acquired Pure Hockey in 2008 and have led the retailer’s growth. They acquired Hockey Giant in October 2015 and Total Hockey in August 2016, essentially taking competing companies out of the picture.
But how did they get into the business of selling hockey gear? That story starts in 2002 when Nectow and Tiano were both coaching in Needham (Mass.) Youth Hockey and were getting their kids’ skates fitted at Needham Sporting Goods. Spontaneously, the owner asked if they’d want to buy such a store, and they ultimately decided to take it on as a side venture. The rest, as they like to say, is history.
"At the time we had no expectation that it would turn into what it has," Nectow said, "but we’ve been very fortunate to be able to attract a large number of very motivational, talented people."
So, what’s the secret? Nectow said their vision wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated staff and an informed, passionate customer base. From that, they employ more than 1,000 people, with 75 percent of sales coming via retail and the remaining 25 percent coming via online purchases. It’s also allowed them to grow and expand ComLax, one of the largest lacrosse retailers in the country.
With their customers driving demand, Nectow said Pure Hockey has developed close relationships with many of the sport’s largest brands, including Bauer, CCM, Warrior and a slew of niche brands. They’re in constant contact with those suppliers, discussing what the future of hockey looks like on the retail side.
But Nectow’s biggest point, unsurprisingly, returns to his staff, many of whom are former or current players: "Think of this: You get to go to work every day doing what you love. It’s fantastic. A lot of our guys are very passionate. They realize we’re in a business and the goal is to be profitable and sustainable, so they’re able to make a living in combining all that."
As for Pure Hockey’s future? Nectow said that as kids specialize in hockey at a younger age — a trend he doesn’t believe is healthy — there’s an increased desire and attention to performance benefits from their equipment. That results in some "pressure on our manufacturers," and Nectow believes the hockey market is due for some intriguing developments in the coming years.
One constant, though, will be Pure Hockey, a staple on the business side here in New England and across the country. And internally, Nectow hopes that it’ll keep on as a family affair.
"We now have the second generation involved in our business, with one of my sons and one of Sal’s sons," Nectow said. "Our big goal is to run a sustainable business for our kids and all the other kids of our employees."
— JONATHAN SIGAL
Wayne Zwicker
Owner | H.A. Zwicker Inc.
The Zwicker name is a legendary one in hockey circles to Boston’s northwest. Since 1932, H.A. Zwicker Inc., originally in Arlington and now Bedford, Mass., has sold sticks to and sharpened the skates of many, including Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres. Rumor has it many NHL players ship their blades to Zwicker to be sharpened.
Brian Devellis
President | Edge Sports Group
The man behind the planning and development of many rinks in the Boston area is DeVellis, head of Edge Sports Group. The Bedfordbased company has helped in the planning of the new Essex Sports Center in Middleton, New England Sports Village in Attleboro and Edge Sports Center in Bedford.
Rob McBride
President | FMC Ice Sports
Frequent public skaters, scholastic and rec players at many local rinks have McBride and his FMC Ice Sports team to thank. McBride founded the company in 1992 and is its current president, operating two dozen DCR rinks throughout the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lyman Bullard
Partner | Choate Hall & Stewart
Once a two-sport athlete (hockey and soccer) at Harvard, Bullard is one of the top sport lawyers in the United States, whose practice is still well-connected to the hockey scene. He also is a member of the USA Hockey Foundation’s regional development committee and the former chairman and governor of the AHL’s Portland Pirates.
Jim Davis
Chairman | New Balance
From Brookline, Mass., Davis is the chairman of New Balance and co-founder of Major League Lacrosse, but he has been instrumental to the area’s hockey scene. Of course, his company is the parent to Warrior, a hockey equipment provider that also has its name on the Bruins’ sparkling practice facility that opened off the Mass. Pike in Brighton last year. Michigan native Dave Morrow, a lacrosse player, founded Warrior Sports, which was brought under Davis’ New Balance umbrella in 2004. Warrior Arena at Boston Landing is viewed as a key training and free-agent recruiting tool for the Boston Bruins, and the arena is a haven for adult hockey, youth clinics and tournaments, public skating and special events.
Ed Kinnaly
CEO | Bauer
In June, the Babson grad was named a co-chief executive officer of Peak Achievement Athletics, based in Exeter, N.H. He returned to New England to oversee the company’s Bauer, Cascade and Maverik brands. That means a heavy focus on the hockey scene, as was the case when he worked for 13 prior years at Bauer.
PaulStanton
Owner | Sports Etc.
Sports Etc. in Arlington, Mass. — "New England’s original hockey superstore since 1980" — offers players gear they want with a tangible passion for the game. Stanton’s customers shop online and in person and take advantage of custom fitting. Goalies travel from all over the country to get fitted here. At roughly 7,000 square feet, Sports Etc. has more than 3,000 square feet dedicated to goaltending equipment, including a sheet of synthetic ice.
T.J. McMeniman
Director of global marketing | Bauer
McMeniman is another key member of the Bauer team hailing from New England. The Newburyport, Mass., native and former captain on the ice at Army is Bauer’s director of global marketing and has helped the company — which now runs as a branch of Peak Achievement Athletics in Exeter, N.H. — become a leader in hockey equipment.
