Anyone in town who’s played hockey knows all about the “pro shop of the north.” For over 30 years, Soo Source for Sports has been the hometown sports store specializing in the core four sports: hockey, baseball, soccer and football.
The Soo is a hockey town through and through, and local puckheads have trusted Soo Source for Sports for decades now. The owner, Steve Spina, was a former Soo Greyhound, so he understands the rigours of growing up playing hockey.
“We’ve played the game and we know what the best product is for the customer that comes into the store,” Spina said. “We want to reinforce that we won’t be undersold. We’ve been around forever and we take care of the customers.”
From beginners to pros, the staff at Soo Source for Sports have played on local rinks before, so they have first-hand knowledge of what equipment should fit like for optimal performance and safety. Long-time employee Terry Chikoski also played Junior-A hockey, so he’s familiar with helping players find the perfect fit.
Despite the surge in online sports retail, Spina believes one reason his store has survived and thrived through the pandemic is because sports equipment really should be fitted in store. Shopping off the rack doesn’t provide optimal results.
“We take pride in making sure they have the proper equipment, no matter what level, what sport, and making sure it fits properly for safety and performance reasons,” Spina said. “And you’re going to get the best price tag with that.”
As someone who grinded his way through minor hockey all the way to the OHL, Spina is familiar with the exorbitant costs it takes to outfit a player in equipment, in addition to the travel costs. That’s why their store promises fair pricing to make hockey as affordable as possible for local players.
Customers should also have no trouble finding the equipment they need because Soo Source for Sports is fully stocked for the season, with inventory at an all-time high. Their store, basement and backroom are full, so there’s no shortage of equipment.
Spina and his father Frank are business partners, and combined, they’ve seen multiple generations of families come into Soo Source for Sports for their gear. They find it humbling to see former customers bring their children in to get fitted for the season.
Over the years, even as players graduated to professional leagues, they always seem to remember their hometown roots where they first fell in love with the game. Spina and his staff find it highly rewarding when youngsters rave about their new equipment from Soo Source for Sports.
“When they come back after the sale and say: ‘That stick I bought, it got me two goals,’ that brings a smile to my face,” Spina said.
Visit Soo’s hub for hockey and everything sports, Soo Source for Sports. They won’t be undersold on sports equipment. If you find a better price anywhere, they’ll match it or beat it.
Check out Soo Source for Sports at 208 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, and on Instagram and Facebook.
