FAQ
Q 1. What is a “Rocker” chassis? (Inline Skates)
Many hockey players cross over between ice and roller. If you've ever tried to go back and forth between ice and inline, you know it's not easy. The Rocker chassis allows the same stride extension on wheels as you get on ice hockey skates.
Q 2. What is a “Hi-Lo” chassis? (Inline Skates)
The most common inline chassis on the market. The term “Hi-Lo” refers to the set-up of the wheels. The wheels in the rear of the frame are larger than the wheels up front. This design gives the skater more control and quicker turns. (1) The smaller wheels in front offer a tighter turning radius and quicker start, (2) The bigger wheels in the rear allow the skater to reach high speeds, very similar to speed skates.
Q 3. What does D, E or EE mean on skate sizing? (All Skates)
This refers to the width of the skate boot: (D – average width), (E – wide width), (EE – extra wide width).
Q 4. What makes one skate boot better than the other? (all Skates)
(1) A high quality boot is stiffer for increased support and durability, (2) Higher quality boots are constructed from stronger, stiffer grades of leather, (3) Higher end boots last longer because of superior construction throughout the entire boot, including the tongue and lining.
Q 5. How can I tell if my skates need to be sharpened? (Ice Hockey Skates)
(1). The steel on higher quality skates are designed to last longer and usually requires less sharpening and maintenance, (2) Skates should be sharpened approximately every 6 to 8 hours on the ice, (3) If your blade does not look smooth along the edges, free of burrs, nicks and rough spots, (4) If your blade does not have a clean, polished look to it, (5) If your blade no longer grips the ice, (6) f. If you are still not sure if your skates need to be sharpened, visit your local pro shop for further assistance.
Q 6. What does the durometer of a wheel mean? (Inline Skates)
(1) The durometer refers to the hardness of a wheel, (2) Softer wheels are used indoors on smooth surfaces such as sport court, flight deck or wood, (3) Harder wheel are intended for rougher surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, (4) The lower the durometer rating the softer the wheel.
Q 7. What is the difference between micro bearings (688) and regular bearings (608)? (Inline Skates)
(1) Micro bearings are smaller and lighter to reduce the overall weight of the skate,(2) Micro bearings are four times lighter than regular bearings.
Q 8. What does the “ABEC” rating of bearing refer to?
(1) The ABEC scale classifies different accuracy and tolerance ranges for bearings. There are five ratings in the ABEC scale,
ABEC Rating |
Speed of Bearing |
| ABEC 1 |
Very Slow |
| ABEC 3 |
Slow for Beginning Skaters |
| ABEC 5 |
Fast for Intermediate Skaters |
| ABEC 7 |
Faster for Advanced Skaters |
| ABEC 9 |
Fastest for expert skaters |
(2) Swiss bearings – Swiss bearings are non-abec rated. They are manufactured with specifications unique to skating. They are designed to shed debris and roll faster with less maintenance.
(3) Titanium bearings – Titanium bearings are non-abec rated. They are constructed from a highly anti-corrosive material, lubricated with a light synthetic oil.
Q 9. Does the ABEC rating of a bearing affect the speed of your skates? (Inline Skates)
(1) Yes. Bearings with a higher ABEC rating use a higher-grade lubricant therefore reducing friction and increasing speed.
Q 10. have switched to a higher rated ABEC bearing, but my skates still seem to drag? (Inline Skates)
(1) The proper fit and installation of your wheels and axles are important to getting the most out of your bearings. Wheels and axles for inline skates have extremely loose fits that allow you to press the bearings into the wheel by hand. This masks the benefits of a higher precision bearing by allowing it to slip on the axle or in the wheel. Slippage between the mating parts results in energy loss. Lost energy is lost speed,
(2) Check to see if the axles are too tight or too loose,
(3) Adjust the tightness of the axle to get maximum performance.
Q 1. What does the stiffness rating of a hockey shaft refer to?
(1) Hockey shafts are given a stiffness rating based on the amount of flex the shaft experiences during the shot follow through,
(2) Each manufacturer rates the flex of their shaft on a different scale.
- Mission’s flex scale – Mission uses a dual flex system. They rate both upper and lower shaft flex. They first number refers to the upper shaft flex and the lower number refers to lower shaft flex.
1. 12-9 = X-Stiff
2. 10-7 = Stiff
3. 8-5 = Regular
4. 6-3 = X-Flex
- TPS
1. X-Stiff
2. Stiff
3. Regular
4. Whip
-
Bauer
1. Pro Stiff Flex (112) = X-Stiff
2. Pro Flex (102) = Stiff
3. Regular Flex (87) = Regular
4. Intermediate Flex (77) = Intermediate
5. Junior Flex (52) = Junior
-
CCM
1. X-stiff
2. Stiff
3. Regular
4. Intermediate
5. Junior
Q 2. What is the general length of a junior, intermediate and senior one-piece stick?
(1) A typical senior one-piece stick is 60” long,
(2) A typical intermediate one-piece stick is 57” long,
(3) A typical junior one-piece stick is 54” long.
Q 3. What size blade will fit my intermediate shaft?
(1) Intermediate shafts require a SENIOR blade
Q 4. What is the general length of a junior, intermediate and senior shaft?
(1) A typical senior shaft is 48” long,
(2) A typical intermediate shaft is 44” long,
(3) A typical junior shaft is 40” long.
** Please note that all of the above sizing is a Reference Only , TheHockeyDepot.com cannot assume any responsibility for accurate sizing. The sizing charts are a guide only . Ordering of equipment is at the Customers discretion and will not hold Thehockeydepot.com or any of our affiliate companies liable for any wrong sizes ordered, any injury due to faulty equipment or any other problem that could arise from playing inline or ice hockey and ordering equipment from Thehockeydepot.com or any of our Affiliate companies **
Q 1. What is the best way to contact Hockeydepot regarding my order?
You can contact thehockeydepot at 212-563-0247 during the hours of 4:30pm - 7pm EST our sales experts are on Monday through Friday, and on Saturday & Sunday via email. Alternatively, you can send your inquiries via fax [347-649-9260] or email us at sales@thehockeydepot.com.
Q 2. How long does it take to process my order?
Ground orders take approximately 24-48 hours to process before they are shipped. This may vary depending on the time the order was placed after hours, order verification, etc. If there is a significant delay you will be contacted via phone and/or email.
Q 3. What forms of payment does Thehockeydepot.com accept?
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover credit cards and United States Postal Service Money Orders. To place an order for payment by USPS Money Order, please call 212-563-0247 or email customer service @ sales@thehockeydepot.com to place your order. Personal checks are not accepted at this time. Corporate/School checks will be looked at on an individual basis. Please note that although you place your order and your credit card information is captured IT IS NOT Charged until we know 100% that the merchandise you ordered is in stock and readily available to ship. Thehockeydepot.com is one of the only companies in the hockey world that processes this way.
Q 4. Can I pay by Gift Card from a major credit card vendor? (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, etc)?
Sorry, We are unable to accept Gift Cards from major credit cards vendors (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, etc.). Due to recent fraud activity we are not able to process these as per our agreement with our mechant account provider.
Q 5. How can I check my order status?
After your order is placed you will receive an order confirmation. Once your order has been packaged you will receive a notification from our e-commerce system. This e-mail will contain tracking numbers allowing and date it is scheduled to be delivered.
Q 6. I'm interested in placing an order, but don't wish to place it online. What should I do?
Thehockeydepot.com.com currently accepts credit & debit cards from your area, so if it is more convenient, you may place an order by phone, email or fax. If you are placing your order by email or fax please include the following information:
a) Full Item Description with Size/Color/Quantity/Hand/Flex/Pattern (as applicable).
b) Full Billing Name, Billing Street Address, Billing City, Billing State/Territory, Billing Zip/Postal Code, Billing Contact Phone Number (we will only ship to the billing address of the credit card as per our agreement with our merchant account providers Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover)
c) Full Shipping Name, Shipping Street Address, Shipping City, Shipping State/Territory, Shipping Zip/Postal Code, Shipping Contact Phone Number
d) Chose your desired Shipping Method
e) Contact E-Mail Address
f) Credit Card Number & Expiration Date
g) Card ID Number
AmEx: 4 Digit, non-embossed number printed above your account number on the face of your card.
Visa/MasterCard/Discover: 3 Digit, non-embossed number on the signature panel on the back of your card.
Here at thehockeydepot.com we offer the highest quality Hockey Equipment at the great prices.
Your continued support allows us to purchase equipment in such large quantities that we can offer the lowest
prices possible. We do not offer a price match guarantee at this time.
Prices at thehockeydepot.com are subject to change, even when you thought our deals couldn't get any better!
The price paid at the time of your purchase is the final price. No adjustments are given once you have made your purchase.
All orders under 100.00 are charged 15.00 for UPS Ground (no handling charges unless its an oversized box for example: Goal Pads, All Sticks, multiple pair of skates, Certain bags, hockey goals).
All orders over 100.00 are charged 20.00 for UPS Ground (no handling charges unless its an oversized box for example: Goal Pads, All Sticks, multiple pair of skates, Certain bags, hockey goals).
Special Delivery (3 Day Select, 2nd Day Air, Next Day Air, Saturday Delivery)
3 Day Select is 35.00 and up in addition to the UPS Ground Charges (goals can only be sent UPS Ground)
2nd Day Air is 50.00 and up in addition to UPS Ground charges
Next day Air is 75.00 and up in addition to UPS Ground charges
Saturday Delivery is 125.00 and up in addition to UPS Ground Charges.
We understand that sometimes items do not fit exactly the first time, therefore, Thehockeydepot.com will gladly exchange any products purchased from our site. Please contact us for return/exchange information. Customer must pay for shipping both directions!
Refund returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee plus the original cost of shipping. That the original cost of shipping will be charged back to the customer regardless of whether the original shipping was free. (i.e. customer orders a skate for $150 plus shipping...the customer will receive a refund of $150 minus the 15%, minus cost of original shipping). We will process your refund within 7 days of receipt. Please allow up to 2 billing cycles for the credit to appear on your credit statement.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT RETURNS WITH SHIPPING LABELS ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO PRODUCT PACKAGING
HOW TO RETURN AN ITEM
STEP 1. Please email us at Sales@thehockeydepot.com to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) Number. We will NOT accept any returns without an Return Authorization Number. IMPORTANT: All Packages without an Authorized Return Number will be refused!
STEP 2. Once we get your request for a Return we will send you via email the RA# and the address to send it back to. Please note that we will not accept any returns with Shipping labels directly attached to the product packaging.
STEP 3. Please write the RA Number clearly on the outside of the box, following the instructions below:
Please do not attach or tape any Shipping Label Directly on a Skate Box or Shoe Box. Doing so will result in
the exchange being denied. Please do not use a Skate Box or Shoe Box as your shipping box. Doing so will
result in the exchange being denied. At Thehockeydepot.com we do not sell used merchandise and we would
not want to give other customers the impression that we do by the sight of used packaging.
CLEARANCE/CLOSEOUT ITEMS: Clearance or Closeout items can NOT be returned or exchanged, and all sales
are FINAL. All clearance or closeout items have limited quantities and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
All products sold by thehockeydepot.com are brand new, first quality (unless otherwise noted) with full factory
warranties. Please check all items upon receipt, if the items seemed damaged or used please report this to us
immediately. NO returns will be accepted of used items! Please, when trying skates on, only wear them indoors
on carpet.
All tags must be attached and original packaging must be included with returned items.
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE OUR CUSTOMERS WITH THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, THIS SITE IS PROVIDED BY THEHOCKEYDEPOT.COM ON AN "AS IS" BASIS.
ERRORS ARE SUBJECT TO
CORRECTION. PRICING AND AVAILABILITY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Please Note: That the CUSTOMER is responsible for all customs, duties and taxes of home country on all international orders. When delivered, the delivery person may require an additional payment or you may be billed. This is amount due is the duties and/or customs brokerage fee...this is not a shipping charge. Please check your local rules and regulations prior to ordering for the amount of these charges. Thehockeydepot.com will not be responsible for any of these charges.