Sparx Hockey
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Sporting goods, manufacturing |
| Founded 📆 | 2013 |
| Founder 👔 | Russell Layton |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | , , U.S. |
Area served 🗺️ | |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| Subsidiaries | BladeScan (acquired 2022) |
| 🌐 Website | www.sparxhockey.com |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Sparx Hockey is an American company that develops and manufactures skate sharpening equipment for ice hockey, figure skating, and sled hockey. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, the company produces the Sparx Sharpener line of automated skate sharpeners.[1]
History
Sparx Hockey was founded in 2013 by Russell Layton.[2][3][4] The company launched its first-generation Sparx Skate Sharpener in 2016, following a 2015 crowdfunding campaign. The company subsequently expanded operations, raised equity funding, and released updated product lines.[5][6]
In 2018, former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks partnered with the company.[7] In 2020, North Castle Partners made a strategic investment in Sparx Hockey.[8][9] During the COVID-19 pandemic, part of the company's production facilities was repurposed to manufacture and distribute face shields for frontline workers.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
In 2021, Sparx Hockey became the Official Skate Sharpener of Massachusetts Hockey.[18] In 2022, the company acquired BladeScan, a firm specializing in blade measurement technology.[19][20] Sparx sharpeners were adopted by several North American hockey programs and academies, including Shattuck-St. Mary’s.[21][22] In 2023, U.S. Women’s National Team forward Taylor Heise donated a Sparx Sharpener to her hometown program.[23]
In 2024, Sparx was named the Preferred At-Home Skate Sharpener of the National Hockey League (NHL)[24][25] and became the Official Skate Sharpener of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.[26][27][28]
The company holds over 20 international patents related to blade alignment, hollow precision, and automated sharpening processes.[29] Several entrepreneurs have utilized Sparx technology for their startups.[30][31]
Products
Sparx Hockey produces automated skate sharpening systems, including the Sparx Sharpener (2016), Sparx Sharpener 2 (2020), and Sparx Sharpener 3 (2023).[4][32][18] The third-generation model added mobile app support and compatibility with the Sparx BEAM (Blade Edge Accuracy Measurement) device. Accessories include blade holders and deburring tools.
Recognition
The Sparx Sharpener received a Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in 2016.[33] In 2019, Sparx Hockey was ranked No. 56 on the Inc. 500 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies[34] and appeared on the Inc. 5000 in 2020.[35][36]
See also
- Sled hockey
- Ice hockey equipment
References
- ↑ Hockey, Sparx. "Sparx Hockey Unveils New Sparx Skate Sharpener". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ "Engineering Alumnus Revolutionizes Ice Skate Sharpening - Northeastern University College of Engineering". Northeastern University College of Engineering. Archived from the original on 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2025-09-08. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Thomsen, Ian (2019-08-23). "From the NHL to the local rink, he's helping ice hockey players stay sharp". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "1,000 Entrepreneurs: How Russell Layton Put His Skate Sharpeners". www.gurufocus.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Expands Executive Leadership Team". sgbonline.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Secures Equity Funding". sgbonline.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Partners With Toronto Goaltender Garret Sparks". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "North Castle Partners announces strategic investment in Sparx Hockey". Lincoln International LLC. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Secures Equity Funding". sgbonline.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Steps Up in Time of Need - MYHockey". myhockeyrankings.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Thomsen, Ian (2020-04-15). "COVID-19 threatened his company. He fought back from his garage". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Central Mass. manufacturers are joining the coronavirus fight". Worcester Business Journal. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Mahoney, Patty. "Acton's Sparx Hockey steps into the rink to help frontline workers". Wicked Local. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Gunnoe, Brandon (2020-04-05). "Tewksbury hockey group buys facemasks for hospital workers". WHDH 7News. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Acton skate-sharpening company back to work — making medical masks". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Sachdeva, Sonny. "How hockey world united in 'collective mission' to equip front-line personnel – Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Made in Mass: Company's gear in demand from ice hockey pros. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2025-09-08 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 MacDonald, Jamie (2022-11-03). "Changing the Game of Skate Sharpening". Massachusetts Hockey. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Acquires Minnesota-Based BladeScan". www.metrologyworld.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Parker, Kevin (2022-02-03). "Sparx Hockey Acquires BladeScan". citybiz. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Shattuck-St. Mary's Hockey Extends Partnership With Sparx Hockey as Official Skate Sharpener". Albert Lea Tribune. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Nelson, Tom (2022-04-17). "Returned skate sharpener highlights hockey's 'huge sense of community'". Southernminn.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Schlegel, Martin (2023-12-20). "Forever a fixture in Winger hockey history: Red Wing, Heise share gratitude". Republican Eagle. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Named Preferred At-Home Skate Sharpener of the NHL". AP News. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ McCrindle, Lizz (2024-11-12). "Sparx Hockey Named Preferred At-Home Skate Sharpener of the NHL". National Sporting Goods Association. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx becomes official skate blade for the Swedish Ice Hockey Association". www.swehockey.se (in svenska). Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Named Official Skate Sharpener of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association". Yahoo. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Named Official Skate Sharpener of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association". seekingalpha.com. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Hockey Acquires 20th International Patent Reinforcing Its Technology Leadership Position In Skate Sharpening". www.wgntv.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Cambridge brothers learn valuable business skills after opening skate sharpening service". CambridgeToday.ca. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Father and son keeping things sharp in Hespeler". CambridgeToday.ca. 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Sparx Skate Sharpener aims to bring professional skate sharpening home". New Atlas. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Hockey, Sparx. "Sparx Skate Sharpener Wins Prestigious GOOD DESIGN Award for Outstanding Product Design". www.prweb.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Here Are The Fastest-Growing Companies In MA". www.patch.com. 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ Rockwood, Kate. "Sparx Hockey Russ Layton Ice Skates Sharpener 2019 Inc 5000". www.inc.com. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- ↑ "Check out Velasa Sports on Inc.com". Inc.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2025-09-08. Unknown parameter
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