I live really close to cyclone taylors in coquitlam, but after visiting the hockey shop in surrey i think I'll get more expensive stuff there. the selection is far superior to cyclone, scoffs, and the sports exchange which ive been to.
however i do goto cyclones for sharpening, as they are better than THS imo.
as for your skates, the rbk 5ks are notorious for pump failures which you already mentioned. if you can find the old rbk 8k, 7k, which should cleared well below their original prices id suggest those. they have the rbk fit of the 5/9k but without the pump. they are also priced lower than the pump versions- which are there for vanity imo.
www.thehockeyshop.com you should check out the site they have some SMU (special make up) models that you cant find anywhere else- and are usually the best of two different models. I recently got my NBH Supreme Comps there, which are basically the same price as the one55, but with the one75 liner, outsole, and steel.
and like someone mentioned already- do NOT go to sport chek for major equipment. tape jock helmet thats cool. but you are not going to get the same service for skates that you would at an actual hockey store. my friend got his skates baked when they werent supposed to (easton comp skates) and they fell apart in 3 months.