 |
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
Performance Sports Group Gets Creditor Extension
 Performance Sports Group, the parent company of Bauer Hockey, received a 60-day extension from creditors in late August to meet its loan covenants. PSG also terminated an agreement with its largest shareholder, Sagard Capital Partners, in early September.
Former PSG chairman Graeme Roustan also continues to express interest in regaining control of the company. Roustan was the chairman until 2012.
Click here to read the New York Post story on PSG's credit extension.
Click here to read the New York Post story on the agreement with Sagard Capital Partners.
Click here to read a New Hampshire Business Review story on what's happened with PSG.
|
|
TECHNOLOGY TALK
CCM Releases Skills App
 CCM Hockey released a Skills App for the 2016-17 season that will give youth players the opportunity to train with former NHL player and hockey training specialist Lance Pitlick. Users can watch 20- to 25-second clips of stickhandling and shooting drills which can be practiced at home.
CCM hopes to get at least 10,000 downloads in 2016 with the help of brand ambassadors such as the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid and the New York Islanders' John Tavares, according to a news release.
Bauer Launches Interactive Project
Bauer Hockey has launched a new interactive project with LaunchLeap, a collaborative social feedback platform. Bauer is hoping to learn more about future product design and development from fans and customers.
LaunchLeap is an online platform that lets brands ask customers questions to help grow their business.
Click here to learn more about the Bauer-LaunchLeap collaboration.
|
|
EQUIPMENT CORNER
Streamlined Goalie Equipment
On Hold for 2016-17 NHL Season
 It does not appear the NHL will meet its goal of having streamlined goalie equipment for the start of the 2016-17 season on October 12. A report by Sportsnet Canada said the league and the NHL Players Association failed to agree on the new gear and an ESPN report said only one of four designated manufacturers provided updated equipment.
A number of goalies pushed for the changes as their gear size increased and scoring decreased. The goal of having new equipment, which would have a tighter fit for each goalie's body type, ready for the start of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and NHL training camp was not reached.
The chest protector and goalie pants were the main pieces of equipment to be reduced. A midseason change of equipment would likely be viewed negatively.
"It's a little frustrating because it's not like we started this six months ago," New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider told ESPN. "We had this discussion 18 months ago at the competition committee of 2015."
Used Equipment Drive
Underway in Twin Cities
Let's Play Hockey, the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Hockey are holding their eighth annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive in Minneapolis-St. Paul through Sept. 26. Donations can be made at dropoff boxes at select arenas and hockey shops.
The Used Hockey Equipment Drive has donated more than 19,000 pieces of hockey gear to more than 3,500 people in seven years.
|
|
GIVING BACK
Wounded Warrior Project
Gets Veterans on the Ice
The Wounded Warrior Project teamed up with the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) to host a group of injured veterans for a hockey boot camp in Texas. Parents and junior players helped the participants with playing instructions, getting on their gear and making sure they were hydrated.
"It was like talking to old squad mates, knowing they care as much about your recovery and journey as you do about them," Army veteran Kevin Holland said. "As I was putting on the gear, I was reliving my old days as a warrior, and suiting up for hockey felt a bit like suiting up for a mission - complete with the butterflies."
|
|
RESEARCH CORNER
Business of Ice Hockey Report
Now Available
 The Annual Business of Ice Hockey is a great resource of information on participation and sales data in the United States. The 2016 Edition of the report is now available!
Overall participation in the U.S. declined slightly for the second consecutive year. Overall sales for the categories of hockey and ice skates also decreased from 2014 to 2015.
In 2015, it was
a very warm year across the country, which likely influenced the slightly lower participation and sales figures.
Members of the Hockey Dealers Association, and National Sporting Goods Association members with an interest in hockey, will receive a free electronic copy of the report. Printed copies of the report are available to members upon request.
The cost of the report is $395 for non-members.
Purchasing a one-year membership in HDA for $125 is a great way to not only receive the Annual Business of Ice Hockey report, but also to keep up with news and information on the industry and to utilize various cost-saving services.
For more information on HDA membership, or to learn more about the Annual Business of Ice Hockey report, contact HDA director Marty Maciaszek at
[email protected] or at (800) 815-5422, ext. 1260.
Click here
for more information about joining HDA.
|
|
JOIN OR RENEW NOW!
Now is the time to become a new member or renew your membership with the Hockey Dealers Association.
Click here to fill out an application and learn more about the benefits of being a part of the voice for hockey dealers.
|
|
|
Apply Now for HDA/SDC
Hockey Collaboration
The collaboration for the purchase of hockey equipment by U.S. hockey dealers between the HDA and National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and SDC (Sports Distributors of Canada) continues to grow as it enters its third year.
Click here to learn more about how the collaboration works and to fill out an inquiry form to start the process. Members of the collaboration take advantage of access to various products and discounts to help their bottom line.
There is no obligation to complete the form. Criteria used by SDC to determine participation may include a minimum sales volume of $200,000 in annual wholesale hockey products, credit rating, proximity to existing members and meeting certain store standards.
Don't delay and inquire today!
|
|
NSGA 2016
Research
Now Available!
The 2016 editions of NSGA's Sports Participation in the United States and Sporting Goods Market Report are now available. These are great resources for anyone in the sporting goods industry.
Click here
for more information.
|
|
Did you know?
This year will be the start of the World Cup of Hockey being played every four years. It was previously held in 1996 and 2004 and its predecessor, the Canada Cup, was held five times from 1976-1991.
|
|
What's your beef?
Have an issue or problem related to the hockey industry? A concern about equipment or rules that you'd like to share with everyone?
|
|
We want
your news!
|
We want to stay on top of the latest industry news and information, so if you have something to share, please
send an email to Marty Maciaszek.
|
| Join HDA now! |
Become a member of the Hockey Dealers Association and help us build a voice for the independent hockey dealer. Visit our website
by
clicking here or calling (800) 815-5422, ext. 1260 to join today.
|
| Please Contact Us |
|
c/o NSGA
1601 Feehanville Drive Suite 300
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
(800) 815-5422, ext. 1260.
|
|
|
