BENSEN FERGUSON HOCKEY & LACROSSE CLUB The Union of Two Legendary Powerhouse Stores

The Union of Two Legendary Powerhouse Stores

WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER MILLER

I have written several stories over the past couple of years for OrangeLife Magazine, each is exciting and fascinating to cover in their own way. But, when I was told that I would be writing a piece about a new hockey equipment store that goes by the name, Bensen – Ferguson Hockey and Lacrosse Club, I was momentarily confused.

FAMILY OWNED AND DEEP ROUTED

Two of Connecticut’s oldest hockey equipment stores joining forces? Two pillars, staples, giants, of the hockey world that need no introduction in the hockey community combining? Could it really be? It could and now it is, and it’s located at 326 Boston Post Road, in the same plaza as Gabriele’s Italian Ristorante.

Ferguson’s Center Ice Sports of Orange and Whitie Bensen of West Haven have both been serving the surrounding communities for all lacrosse, figure skating, and of course hockey needs for decades.

Both long standing businesses being local, hard-working family owned businesses that have customer service and trust at their foundations. Having played hockey in the area and purchased nearly all my equipment from one store or the other, I felt it almost an honor to receive this assignment.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Kyle Bensen, one of the three owners (Michael Ferguson and John Ferguson being the other two) at the end of August, around three weeks after their grand opening on August 1st. We were seated in the back of

From left to right: Owners, Kyle Bensen and Mike Ferguson

the store on wooden benches where the hockey skates are displayed and fitted. Aside from the nearly non-stop flow of customers congratulating Kyle and engaging in small talk, the interview went great!

The obvious question had to be asked – how, why?

Kyle explained that the COVID-19 pandemic brought this about. Mike Ferguson, one of Ferguson’s Center Ice Sports owners, who was a life-long friendly competitor, approached Kyle with the idea of joining forces and bringing the two stores into one.

“Same morals, same ethics, no second-guessing that piece of the equation,” in reference to Mike. But, some deep consideration had to be done.

THE DEFINING MOMENT

At the time of the proposition, Kyle went on a trip. “Long story short, I packed up my car and went on a three-week trip around the country with my bike in the back of the car and talked with Michael every day.” Kyle said that he was in Vail, Colorado one morning and woke up and decided to himself, “Let’s do it”. A week later, upon returning to Connecticut, Kyle and Michael had breakfast and another conversation, “And the rest is history,” he said smiling.

“Michael has visions, and we walked through the open space (empty store) and I thought, wow, this is big.” We had a general idea of the layout – skates in the back, where the stick rack would be. It happened quickly, about a month between the agreement and set-up.”

Whitie Bensen’s lacrosse equipment sales were hurt substantially by the pandemic shutdown. “Lacrosse is a short window, four to five weeks March and April. We lost all that business and that was another facet that expedited the thought process” Kyle said.

A SEAMLESS VENTURE

The union of the two powerhouse stores was seamless, both stores had big vendors such as CCM and Bauer who were supportive of the merge. The start-up costs to get up and running were kept low because of the inventory in stock within each store that was able to fill the new location.

But, Kyle explained, both him and Michael were concerned about their employees from their respective stores and did not want to lose them.

“Luckily we were both able to retain our employees, which was very important. A business of this size that has been around as long as we have, you need good people.”

A LEVEL OF COMFORT AND TRUST

Familiarity, comfort, and trust were of the utmost importance to both legendary stores individually and that was an essential base to the new venture. “When people walk in the door, they want to see a familiar face. When someone is buying, $500, $600, or $700 skates, they want someone they can trust. Yes, we’ve grown, we’re bigger than each of us was, but service is ‘A’ number ‘1,’ which is our goal, to retain that personal touch.”

Kyle and Michael are both from the area, Michael calling Orange home and Kyle residing in Milford. Kyle was born and raised in West Haven, playing in the youth hockey program through to the Bantam level. He attended Trinity Pawling Prep School, in Pawling, New York for two years, finished at West Haven High School and then on to Potsdam College in Potsdam, New York. Kyle still plays in men’s league hockey and when asked which position he prefers playing, he replied, “Wherever there is more ice time.”

The history of Whitie Bensen begins in 1965 when the founder, Whitie, Kyle’s father, opened the store in West Haven. Prior to opening the store, Mr. Bensen sold hockey equipment out of his car. Things have changed ever so slightly with online stores becoming more competitive and prominent.

Concerning online shopping for hockey equipment, Kyle had this to say, “To buy a $600 pair of skates and being a half size off, that’s a problem. Shoulder pads, elbow pads, they fit bodies different. We get a lot of people asking to trade-in their online purchases from other sources because they don’t fit right. You’ve got to try it on.”

For the moment, Kyle and company are content with the store being a single location here in Orange. When asked about where they see themselves in 5 years and if expansion is on the horizon, he responded, “ My dad (Whitie) said bigger isn’t better. More stores are more headaches, the important part is having good people. We haven’t thought that far ahead, not really considering.”

QUALITY STAFF

Kyle reiterated the quality of staff being a cornerstone of the business

Photo: Paula Severino

Mike Ferguson sharpening a customer’s skates.

and that the new store has some great young people behind himself and Michael, helping build up the store and carry on the tradition of trust and great service.

Walking into Bensen–Ferguson Hockey and Lacrosse Club one can really appreciate the history and legacy of both great businesses coming together and providing the ultimate customer experience for lacrosse, figure skating, and hockey athletes.

The store is impressively expansive and an exciting place to walk into. When asked about how he feels coming into the store, Kyle responded, “I was very apprehensive at first. But now, I walk in every morning and say, ‘wow,” and everyone that walks in says the same thing.”

You can reach the store at 203-932-0035. A website is in the process of being created and had yet to be completed at press time. 