Top Flight Hockey
Love of Sport Launches Top Flight Hockey
Friends Daniel Mikrut and Quinton Oster turn overstock, used and game-used hockey equipment around through their business, Top Flight Hockey.
They work with five NHL teams: the Vegas Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and LA Kings. They also acquire NHL/AHL Pro Stock equipment directly from manufacturers CCM and Warrior Hockey and sell it online as well as at their Cedar Lake storefront.
“Q and I originally started this business in 2018 working from my bedroom at my parents’ house and storing inventory in Q’s parents’ basement. When we started, we only bought and sold used hockey sticks,” Dan said.
The two played hockey for the Midwest Maniax and Lake Central before becoming college roommates at Indiana University Bloomington. During their senior year, they took initial steps toward their business, which took off after a road trip through Canada and the East Coast.
“We were meeting with hockey teams to purchase their used equipment from the previous season. We returned home with a trailer full of gear and $15 in our business checking account,” Dan said. “This road trip was the catalyst for where we are today: working directly with NHL teams as well as equipment manufacturers.”
Their passion for hockey continues to drive their business forward.
“We get to help the younger generation get into the sport. Neither of the two rinks by us have a pro shop for equipment, so we get a ton of traffic from youth hockey,” Dan said. “It’s very cool for us when parents and kids come in with no prior knowledge of the sport looking for their kids’ first set of equipment or just general advice.
“We are heavily involved in local hockey. We help run clinics in the summer, and I coach a high school varsity team in season.”
In the future, they look to take Top Flight to another level by expanding their online reach.
“That includes adding marketplace channels and continuing to automate inventory and fulfillment so we can grow volume without growing overhead at the same rate,” Dan said. “Owning our building gives us a stable base to add inventory.”
While their skills didn’t take them to the NHL, the friends are immersed in the world of hockey.
“We get to see their facilities when we travel to pick up equipment. Seeing all of the equipment is one of my favorite parts of the job,” Dan said. “Each player has custom equipment made specifically for them. Some use sticks from years ago with the newest graphic printed on them so fans see their most current stick.
“Even some replacement blades for skates have the NHL player’s name and team engraved on them. Little details like those are some of the cooler parts of the job!”