New England’s Hockey Home Since 1971
Hockey1 has been a family-owned cornerstone of New England’s hockey scene since its humble beginnings in 1971. What started as a modest skate-sharpening room tucked inside the newly built South Windsor Arena has grown into a sprawling 30,000-square-foot hockey destination, complete with a year-round rink, full-service pro shop, restaurant, and warehouse. For more than five decades, we’ve served hockey players of all ages and levels—whether they’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or chasing a professional dream.
The shop was founded by Richard Grigorian, whose vision and passion for the game laid the foundation for what Hockey1 would become. Always thinking ahead, Richard launched a mail-order catalog in 1990 and built one of the earliest hockey retail websites in 1996—back when most shops were still relying on handwritten orders and phone calls. That catalog became standard bathroom reading material for young hockey players across New England—a rite of passage for kids dreaming of their next pair of skates or the perfect stick.
Growth Led by Players and Generations of Expertise
In the early 2000s, Richard’s sons, Leonard and Steve, took over and took Hockey1 to an entirely new level. They transformed the catalog and website into full-fledged wholesale channels, turning the business into a distributor for over 500 independent hockey shops across the country. Under their leadership, the company expanded its reach and solidified its place as a trusted name in the hockey world—built on experience, family values, and a whole lot of gear.
We’ve always taken pride in knowing hockey inside and out. Our staff includes current and former players, coaches, and hockey lifers who bring decades of knowledge to every skate fitting and stick recommendation. Each year, we help thousands of customers in-store, offering individualized service, team discounts, and special orders for gear that fits both body and budget.
Our legacy isn’t just local—it’s legendary. From outfitting Hartford Whalers players like Kevin Dineen during their seven-year stint using our rink as a practice facility to hosting Ike and Tina Turner on a summer night in 1975, we’ve been part of some amazing moments in hockey and pop culture history.
New Chapter, Same Spirit
In September 2021, the torch was passed to Andrew Petrin, a lifelong player who got his first pair of skates right here at South Windsor Arena. Andrew grew up playing for a club that rivaled the local South Windsor team, but he was always drawn to the shop—its atmosphere, its community, and its nostalgic feel. Since taking over, he’s worked hard to preserve the classic vibe of Hockey1, drawing inspiration from Hans' Sport Shop in The Mighty Ducks. At the same time, he’s brought in modern skate-fitting technology, upgraded rink equipment, and is steadily evolving the shop to meet the needs of today’s hockey families.
But some things never change. Hockey1 remains fiercely independent, deeply rooted in the community, and 100% committed to helping players find the right gear—whether it’s their first helmet or fifth pair of custom skates.