New hockey-oriented store opens in Kasson

There is a new store in Kasson and it caters to area hockey players.

Jared Oscarson opened Penalty Box Hockey Company on Oct. 1 at 13 West Main St., Suite 2. Oscarson is a Kasson resident and said he is keen to offer a local hockey store in town.

“We are a local hockey store,” he said. “What we have is skate sharpening services, we have accessories for hockey, laces, tape, wax, things like that. We have some hockey apparel.”

The store also stocks some used equipment. “We know that kids are growing and we know it’s an expensive sport,” Oscarson said. “Being able to provide gently used high quality equipment at a reasonable price helps retain players in the youth association.”

Oscarson said the downtown mini mall is where he wanted to be, in part because it’s close to the ice rink and in part because it has great anchors within that retail location.

“Obviously having businesses in Kasson is extremely important,” he said.

Oscarson is also a healthcare consultant, and operates his own consulting group called Theory Hive. He grew up in Las Vegas, and is new this year as coach of the JV Dodge County Wildcats Boys team. Oscarson is also a referee coordinator for Dodge County Youth Hockey.

He said the community has been supportive of their opening.

“Folks are coming in and getting services,” he said, “and buying the product. We’re pleased. We’re hoping to get our signage up in the next week or two. As hockey season is gearing up, we’re hoping it becomes more of a staple to the local hockey community.”

Oscarson is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends.

He held a ribbon cutting on Friday.

Oscarson said he’ll never be able to compete with Scheel’s or Sports Headquarters, which carry the latest and greatest skates and sticks and brand name products.

“What’s important is that a lot of these services we’re providing, the product was only available in Rochester,” he said. “To have the support of the local community is going to be essential.”

Oscarson has partnered with Sports Headquarters in Rochester.

“We know our niche and to have them as a partner to offer good services and create pricing for our customers is a win for not only us but for hockey in southeastern Minnesota.”

“The shop has the opportunity to have a long, long relationship with Dodge County,” he said.