department manager

sales associate

store manager

shop technician

Pro Hockey Life

Job itself is very straightforward, sales position. No commission, minimum wage and managers that hound you constantly to sell stupid add-ons to customers who barely know what they're talking about, because the managers make commission on these accessories. Very toxic environment where appreciation is not shown unless you really save the company, I skipped a semester of university and worked full time and was given a $20 store credit because "they really didn't know how they would've survived without me." If you can look past the dumb managers and unorganized stock inventory, then the job is tolerable. Also be aware that they will throw you into separate departments WITHOUT TRAINING, I came into a "protective sales" shift where I was informed that I would be working in the skates department because the scheduled guy called in. I had never been trained on skates nor had I worked skates before, yet I was then left on my own to work an 8 hour shift on a Saturday in December. This happened to me for Skates department, the pro shop department, the cashier position, as well as the goalie department. Do not believe when they say you are hired as one specific role, they will throw you wherever they need bodies, without care of your feelings.

It is a retail work experience. Comparing to other places of employment, there isn't much in the way of benefit or detriment, unless maybe if you are very close to the "hockey world". 

Management is mostly fair and is very willing to work with you on your schedule (part-time), and is remarkably flexible. Expectations are relatively low, as it is a low-drive workplace, but it can be busy during key times of the year, as it would be expected (again, this is a retail job. You can imagine which days I'm talking about).

The staff generally fall into 3 categories: One is "Lifers", the other is people who stay on just for the discount. Everyone else falls somewhere in between, where the work ethic doesn't quite match up with their desire for more hours. The interactions between staff can sometimes remind me a bit of highschool drama, but there is a lot available to make friends with people even outside work. Most notably is the hockey team and golf tournaments that the store organizes, which offer fun and (generally) healthy ways to keep up with fellow staff.

Overall, this place is a fantastic place to work, and expect about as much back as you put into it.

I usually start work at 4:45 on weekdays and early in the mornings on weekends. I have learnt how to properly communicate with customers and how to see to each persons specific needs, also how to manage my time efficiently. The management is amazing, nothing wrong to say. It is quite encouraging knowing that a fellow colleague and friend got a promotion to a management position whilst I was starting out in the company. The work area, time, people are all nothing short of amazing. The hardest part of my jobwould have to be when we (the store) get swarmed with customers and i am forced to work simultaneously with 4+ customers. I however, love when this happens as I feel it allows me to work at my full potential as well as get to know the customers personally. The most enjoyable part of my job is the constant education of new roles and getting to know the customers, and creating our own relationships.

The job is great if you love hockey and interacting with people. It gets a tad hectic at times with multiple customers so learning to balance is a skill that'll take time to adjust to. Discount is a huge plus if you play hockey, and coworkers are all very like-minded and mostly get along well.. Managers were pretty down-to-earth as well. Most enjoyable part of the job was interacting with customers for extended periods of time, if I dealt with them in a happy manner they really liked me, hardest part of the job was just dealing with difficult customers who were fighting back against suggestions, which was rare but I had to keep a level head and when in doubt, you always could rely on a manager to hand them off to. We're there to be help and guidance, not making their decisions and spending their money. If you keep that in mind you'll have a good experience. Overall it was a rewarding experience that though sometimes difficult, pushed me to achieve the store's goals, but for my first job I had a great time.

A typical day at Pro Hockey life starts with organizing your work section, either the protective, skate, goalie, or pro shop section. Afterwards you approach customers in the store and offer assistance and information on products. I learned how to create a rapport with customers and how to meet customers needs without underselling them products. The management at pro hockey life was on task and diligent, the co workers i worked with were some of the best ive ever had at a job, very friendly and always sporting a great attitude. The hardest part of the job was keeping busy during downtime as there wasnt always a ton of tasks to be done. The most enjoyable part of the job was connecting with customers and talking about one of the greatest sports in the world.

Initially hired as the Vaughan location of Pro Hockey Life transfer driver covering all GTA stores. My typical day consists of the processing, labeling and storage of all incoming shipments. I've learned to be exceptionally well organized and creative when it comes to creating space in the warehouse which is often overstocked with hockey related merchandise. The management team is excellent, helpful and really dedicated. The most difficult part of the job is that there is often an overabundance of goods that arrive with very little time to prepare it for shelving in the warehouse. What I have enjoyed most is occasionally helping customers on the floor with a question which is not normally a part of my job description.

work is very perdictable at PHL, i knew lots before working there since i have played hockey my entire life it was like second nature selling the equipment that i still often wear to play.  

Our management is great, we let go of one manager who was not completing their duties and now our store is smooth as ever. 

the cuture in the workplace is fabulous as we all play hockey together outside of work on multiple teams.

the hardest part of the job is trying to explain the importance of proper fitting equipment to some parents because most of them dont care/ or want to listen to it. 

the most enjoyable part of my job is helping first time hockey parents and kids navigate themselves around the sport giving them the do's and dont's etc.

The company is poorly run and does not care about it's employees. The company is only concerned about sales and numbers, that is fine for the owners but as an employee it slowly makes you resent your management. 
There is no room to advance or excel during employment.
The work place is toxic. I had a large number of people from our customer base start coming in to see me specifically. Even after this obvious showing of my quality of work I was constantly questioned and hassled by my boss. The actual work involved in the job was enjoyable and it was based around one of my hobbies. It was very tough to enjoy though because of the lack on competence of my co workers, the pressure applied by management and the lack of appropriate compensation.

A typical day for this workplace was assisting any customers with questions they had on our protective equipment, sticks or any sales we had. Usually I would be given an order on which department to hang around in and check up on the other department I was able to work in, in case it was busy and customers needed assistance. I learned many things about the protective equipment and sticks that we carried at our store. The hardest part about the job was probably having to remember each design and information with every different model of stick and equipment since none are the same. It carried out to be quite the task but it was rewarding in many cases. An enjoyable part of this job was seeing the little kids come in all happy and excited to shoot pucks.

Best thing about Pro Hockey Life is the staff you get to work with. Everyone got along great with everyone because we all share the same passion for the game. Discounts are good but really only use it for hats and apparel, not so much with gear. Biggest cons with the location is the management team. No positive reinforcement when you do well, only negative. Almost seems everyday they are out to get you as opposed to making you feel better and motivating you. Also, they do nothing but stand at the front. This is a great job though for the teen who loves hockey and likes to be themselves at work, not flipping burgers at McDonald's. Had a generally positive experience

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Department manager 5 salaries reported	$48,145 per year
Sales associate 3 salaries reported	$15.33 per hour
Store manager 1 salary reported	$55,000 per year
Shop technician 1 salary reported	$15.15 per hour

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