Puckmasters Hockey Training Center Franchise

Article from Small Business Opportunities Magazine, March 2007

Explosive growth for superhot hockey franchise.

Pete Fry began his hockey career when he was eight years old and living in Toronto. Some 17 years later when it came to an end after he had become a Western Hockey League All-Star and a draft choice of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the former goalie was at a loss.

“I was very passionate about hockey and suddenly it was gone,” Fry recalled. “I really didn’t know what I was going to do.”
But a motivational tape given to Fry by a neighbor proved his epiphany. The message was simple: “Find something you love and do what you love in a way that creates value for people.”

On Dec. 1, 1993, Fry opened the first Puckmasters Hockey Training Center in Victoria, British Columbia, and he’s never looked back.

Today, Puckmasters is North America’s first and largest hockey Training Rink Franchise.

Puckmasters’ year-round, hockey training rinks provide high-caliber training—including unique one-on-one coaching—that is designed to develop the highest skill levels of youth hockey players ages 6 to 18 by focusing on the mental aspects of the game.

“One-on-one coaching has tremendous advantages over team coaching because a personal coach can focus specific attention to the students’ individual needs,” Fry said.

In addition, Puckmasters training rinks also feature 2/3 size real ice rinks. Skating treadmills are being introduced throughout the system. Biz is booming.

Puckmasters is primed for growth because it is the only international brand with a proven, systematic operating system offering hockey instruction in a highly fragmented market.

“There are a lot of one-man hockey schools and camps,” the 40-year-old Fry said. Puckmasters offers franchisees a business opportunity that is built around proven systems of success.

"When it first began there was a lot of competition and most of it was from small mom-and-pop stores,” said the entrepreneur.

Fry has surrounded himself with an all-star management team, as well, including Vice President Darren Jensen, a successful businessman and a talented goalkeeper who played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Prospective Puckmasters franchisees are strong, results-oriented leaders with proven sales, marketing and management skills. Past hockey experience isn’t necessary but franchisees must have a passion for the game and teaching it to children.

A typical day for a franchisee presents an array of responsibilities such as setting up marketing and cross-promotional opportunities with local rinks and sports stores and making presentations to youth hockey leagues.

Puckmasters realizes the reputation of its brand extends beyond what takes place on the rink. Its centers arealways clean and attractive and staffed by uniformed employees who are devoted to customer satisfaction.

“We’re looking for enthusiasts who have an entrepreneurial spirit or strong sales and marketing experience who want to be involved in a fast-growing concept,” Fry said. “This is an opportunity for them to live their passion. To me, there is nothing better than to be able to do something you love and know that’s it making a huge difference in the lives of our students while also having the opportunity to operate a profitable business.”

The website for Puckmasters is a wonderful resource for both consumers and those interested in the franchise opportunity. The site, www.puckmasters.com, is chock-full of wonderful hockey lore and games, plus a good opportunity to sit back with a cup of coffee and learn more about how you can open your very own Puckmasters in your area.

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