Sticktime Hockey Company, LLC provides quality hockey service in Cobb County. Not only does the company operate a full-line hockey pro shop in Kennesaw, Sticktime recently opened a training facility with a synthetic ice rink unlike anything in Cobb County.

Owner Phil Kramb, a hockey player and fan, saw a need for a retail hockey store in Cobb County where players could try on equipment for a good fit and protection rather than ordering online.

"I really felt that our area needed this to promote the sport of hockey, which is growing in popularity every day," Kramb said. "Since the retail store opened this past December, we have been very happy with the turnout and positive feedback we have received within the community."

"Our customers know that in order to keep us here, they need to come shop here which is why our pricing is comparable to the Internet, lower in some cases," Kramb said.

Kramb often accommodates his customers by opening before and after store hours. "Our store hours are posted, but if I'm there just knock on the door. I love hockey and always have, so this just doesn't feel like work to me," he said.

Having played on recreational hockey league for the past nine years, Kramb recognized that ice time is "extremely hard to get and it is extremely expensive."

"Most of our ice hockey games do not even start until 10 at night, the leagues keep the ice so busy," Kramb said.

Other outdoor sports offer practice at batting cages, driving ranges, tennis courts, basketball courts and shooting ranges. "There is no practice facility for ice hockey players that you can actually take your stick and puck out onto the ice to just practice," he said.

With this need in mind, Sticktime's training facility was born. Located next to the retail space, the training facility is made up of synthetic ice. Kramb, who had skated on several different types, chose the closest one to real ice. "It is so cool," Kramb said, explaining that synthetic ice is used training within the National Hockey League.

"It is a great way to offer more ice time in the area at a much more reasonable affordable rate, and it is a great workout," he said. "We offer half-sheet and full-sheet pricing that is a fraction of what you pay on regular ice."

Sticktime works closely with hockey players at Kennesaw State University to run training camps and private lessons such as shooting, passing and stick handling. They also cater to coaches who need training time with their teams or students. Another feature is "Open Facility" time that allows an individual to brush up on hockey skills or skating skills.

"Our focus is to support the hockey community in anyway that we can. Our training facility will do just that. Our customers are very excited and the response has been quite positive so far," Kramb said.

Sticktime is located at 2615 George Busbee Pkwy., Suite 13, in Kennesaw next to Town Center Mall. For more information, call (770) 420-2929, visit www.sticktime hockey.com, search for Sticktime on Facebook and Twitter.