Shared Memories. Favourite photos. New Adventure. Family means different things to different people.  At Totem Outdoor Outfitters, it all comes back to the simple beauty of being together. And they bring that spirit to every customer interaction. 

More than a store, Graham Kuhnert and the Team of Sports Enthusiasts are a family helping families to get out and play. When Graham was 14 years old his dad Harold was Running the store. Harold would bring him to the store to help lace the 100s of pairs of skates Totem would receive from suppliers. Once Graham was of age, he began working part-time while attending school.

Now more than 50 years after the store became a fixture on Edmonton’s shop local scene, Graham and a Team of long-time employees helm the store. They see every client interaction as an opportunity to share deep product and technical knowledge, trade stories of their excursions, and tee people up for fun filled experiences. 

Smiling kids taking home shiny new or gently used skates. Groups of friends heading out the door armed with the perfect stick for that game of shinny. Happy adventurers leaving with freshly repaired equipment. Every family has their stories.  At Totem, they’ve built theirs celebrating yours. 

Now 25 years later Graham is a Store Manager and Co – Owner proudly carrying on the traditions and values of the Store that his dad helped build and Co -Owned until he retired after 40+ years in 2014. Graham loves what he does and has a true passion for all sports but he is especially fond of hockey, football, snowboarding and golf. Graham loves to hunt and cook.      He loves to spend as much time as possible with his dog Remi.

In his own words: “We’ve seen so much growth and have assisted such a variety of customers. We cater to novice and experts, the less fortunate to hi-end.  To still be bringing that insight into our store and empowering people to make memories because of it?
Well, it’s fair to say: “the pleasure is all ours.”

Grahams Fondest Totem Memory 

Harold had built a relationship with Barrie Stafford of the Edmonton Oilers and arranged to sell their used equipment though the Sports Exchange on consignment. They became friends. On Grahams 11th. Birthday Harold arranged for Graham to go to the Oilers dressing room. He was invited to sit on the Oilers bench during warm up where he met some of the Oilers families. 

 After the game Graham was invited back to the dressing room. Graham was a shy 11-year-old and in total awe of the moment. 

The Oilers suffered a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins but the whole Team still made him feel so special. Mark Messier had broken his thumb in the game.

After the room had emptied Graham recalls Mark Messier even with his broken thumb pulling him up on his knee and asking him all sorts of questions about himself. He remembers the night being so much more special as he was sitting in the Oilers dressing room alone with Barrie Stafford, his dad Harold and Mark Messier. How Ironic #11 on his 11th birthday. Now more than 3 decades later Totem is still selling the Oilers used gear. Barrie and Harold are both retired and Graham has made new friends in Oilers organization. It’s a New World, New Team, New Rink but the same OLD FAMILY ATMOSPHERE! Graham’s eyes still light up when he tells that story.

Bet you didn’t know: Sharing is caring. That’s why Totem is a depot for Sports Central, a local charitable organization providing gently used equipment to kids who need it most.