About American Athletic Shoe Company

Making ice skates since 1959. Still at it.

Our Story

American Athletic Shoe Company was founded on October 31, 1959, in Ware, Massachusetts — and we've been headquartered at 15 South St. ever since.

Our founder, Edward J. Urban (everyone called him Eddy), came home from military service and got to work. He'd learned the trade at J.T. Wood Boot Manufacturing Company, and he had a vision: build a better skate, right here in America.

Eddy built something that lasted. In 1999, after his sudden passing, his nephew Paul Opalinski stepped up and carried the company forward. Today, Paul's son Michael Opalinski runs the full operation — third generation, same address, same mission.

What We Make

We specialize in ice skates — figure skates, hockey skates, recreational skates, and rental skates. We also make roller skates.

American Athletic has been making ice skates since 1959, making us one of America's longest-running ice skate brands.

Our skates are sold through Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, Target, and major online retailers. We ship to the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

The Rental Skate Thing (It's Kind of a Big Deal)

Here's something most people don't know: American Athletic is a leading supplier of rental skates to ice rinks across the country.

Indoor rinks. Outdoor town rinks. City rinks. Holiday pop-up rinks. If you've laced up a pair of rental skates at a rink in the US, there's a solid chance they were ours.

That matters to us — because for most people, rental skates are their first ice skating experience ever. We take that seriously. A bad skate kills the moment. A good skate might start a lifelong love of the sport.

Our mission is to grow the sport of ice skating — and it starts with making sure that first experience is a great one.

Beyond Skates — Building the Sport from the Ground Up

Rental skates were just the beginning.

American Athletic has expanded into a full-service supplier for ice rink operators across the country. Whether you're building a brand new rink or upgrading an existing one, we connect you with everything you need — sourced from our network of trusted vendors.

We supply:

• Rental skate fleets (our specialty since the 2000s)
• Skate sharpening equipment
• Locker room and skate rental booth supplies
• Rink safety equipment and padding
• Boards, dasher systems, and rink accessories
• Outdoor rink kits and seasonal setup equipment
• Maintenance supplies and rink tools

Whether you're a parks & recreation department building your first outdoor seasonal rink, or an established indoor arena looking to refresh your fleet and supplies — we're your one call.

Our goal isn't just to sell skates. It's to help rinks open their doors, stay open, and give more people a reason to fall in love with ice skating.

Why American Athletic

• 65+ years of experience making ice skates — we know what works
• Rental market leaders — trusted by indoor and outdoor rinks nationwide
• Full rink supply partner — from skate fleets to rink equipment, one trusted source
• Sold everywhere — Amazon, Dick's, Walmart, Target, and beyond
• Family-owned, three generations deep — real people, real accountability
• Ships internationally — US, Canada, Europe, Asia
• Committed to the sport — helping rinks open, grow, and thrive

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has American Athletic been in business?
Since October 31, 1959 — over 65 years. We're one of the oldest continuously operating ice skate companies in the United States.

Where is American Athletic located?
Headquartered at 15 South St., Ware, MA — the same address since 1959.

Who runs the company today?
Third-generation family business. Michael Opalinski is the current owner. His father Paul took over after founder Eddy Urban passed away in 1999.

Do you sell rental skates to ice rinks?
Yes — it's a core part of what we do. We supply indoor rinks, outdoor town rinks, city rinks, and seasonal pop-up rinks nationwide.

Do you supply equipment beyond skates for ice rinks?
Yes. American Athletic is a full-service supplier for ice rink operators. We supply rental skate fleets, sharpening equipment, rink safety gear, locker room supplies, outdoor rink kits, and more — sourced from our trusted vendor network. We work with both new rink builds and existing facilities looking to upgrade.

Where can I buy American Athletic skates?
Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, Target, major online retailers — or right here on our website.

What types of skates do you make?
Figure skates, hockey skates, recreational ice skates, rental skates, and roller skates.