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FROM THE BOOKSHELF
New HDA Member
Produces Hockey Novels
 An unsuccessful library search for a hockey picture book was an inspiration for Howard Shapiro. Now he is about to release his third book and second graphic hockey novel through Pittsburgh-based Animal Media Group, a new member of the Hockey Dealers Association.
Shapiro's "Hockey Karma" is scheduled for release on November 1st and is the sequel to "The Hockey Saint." The books follow two primary characters, legendary player Jake Jacobson and his agent and best friend Tom Leonard, during a 10-year period of their careers.
"Hockey Karma" received advance praise from former NHL star and broadcaster Bill Clement and ESPN radio anchor Christine Lisi.
"It's a sport rich with stories," said Shapiro, who is in charge of the publishing side of Animal Media. "To me, it's a game and sport where you can really delve deep and get a lot of good material and good stories."
"Hockey Karma" sells for $14.95 and "The Hockey Saint" sells for $13.95. Click here to learn more about Shapiro's books - and retailers interested in getting them in their stores can contact Shapiro at [email protected] or through the website animalmediagroup.com.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Takeover Bid on Horizon for Performance Sports Group?
A bid for Performance Sports Group, the parent company of Bauer, is being considered by Canada's largest alternative-asset manager, according to a report by Bloomberg Markets.
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., has accumulated a 13.2-percent stake in PSG to set up the possibility for a formal takeover bid, according to Bloomberg sources. Brookfield is PSG's second-largest shareholder.
PSG said in a statement that no deal has been reached with a third party. The company's shares rose nearly 16 percent in trading to $4.16 apiece in New York at 11:25 a.m. on Oct. 11 before being halted.
Players to Athlete Roster
 Bauer Hockey added four standout women's players to its roster of athletes.
Hilary Knight (left), Marie-Philip Poulin, Jennifer Wakefield and Kacey Bellamy will exclusively wear Bauer equipment, provide insight to future product development and be featured in several advertising campaigns.
"It is exciting to partner with a brand with such a rich heritage in hockey that is deeply committed to the game for all players at every level," said Knight, a six-time world champion with the U.S. National Team. "One of my key goals as a player is to positively impact younger athletes and create an opportunity for women and girls everywhere to lace up and compete."
In addition to partnering with four global standout female players, Bauer Hockey will also conduct 10 female-only First Shift events throughout Canada this season. The First Shift was introduced by Bauer Hockey in 2013 to help grow, advance and protect the future of hockey.
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EQUIPMENT CORNER
Report: Marketing Helmets
a Major Challenge
 Helmets have come a long way and the drive to provide better protection for players continues. But major manufacturers such as Bauer and CCM found out how challenging it can be to market their helmets' safety features after being penalized by Canada's Competition Bureau in recent years.
Manufacturers, doctors, researchers and innovators are all trying to find the right messaging about the safety helmets provide while also not making claims that could be considered false.
Click here to read an in-depth look at the issue in the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Two NHL Goalies to Wear
Color-Changing Masks
NHL goalies are allowed to be pretty creative with their mask designs. Now the masks of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Bruins' Anton Khudobin can change almost instantly.
Quebec-based mask artist company Sylabrush created color-changing masks with the help of Sub-Zero white paint. The masks of Vasilevskiy and Khudobin, who have been Sylabrush clients since 2012-13, change colors when hit by water.
For example, when Vasilevskiy's mask is hit by water, the chin area changes from white to Tampa Bay blue and reflective images of the Lightning logo, lightning bolts and Russian firebird are displayed when hit by water.
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BUSINESS BEAT
Dispute on Equipment Taxes Lands in Canadian Supreme Court
A dispute on how imported goalie gloves are taxed in Canada eventually landed in the country's highest court.
The Canadian Supreme Court upheld the Canada Border Services Agency's decision to classify the equipment as "gloves, mittens and mitts." Quebec-based sporting goods dealer Igloo Vikski Inc., challenged the classification and sought a refund, claiming they should be classified as "other pieces of plastics," which have a lower duty.
"The goaltender should strain to avoid being distracted by the question before the court in this appeal -- being whether, for customs tariff classification purposes, he or she blocks and catches the puck with a 'glove, mitten or mitt,' or with an 'article of plastic,"' Justice Russell Brown
wrote
on behalf of the majority.
Over the last decade, the Canadian government has reduced customs duties and corporate taxes.
The gloves were imported from 2003 to 2005. The customs agency in a
n earlier
proceeding
sent gloves to a laboratory to reach an agreement that any Canadian school child would know, namely that "the goaltender blocker has padding material encased within the external surface of the glove consisting solely of plastics, while the goaltender catcher has padding materials encased within the external surface of the glove consisting of plastics and lesser amounts of textiles."
Igloo-Vikski was purchased by Montreal-based Lanctot Ltee in 2007.
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MEMORABILIA MATTERS
Pennsylvania Store Displays Piece
of Miracle On Ice
 The authentic goaltender pads worn by the legendary Jim Craig during Team USA's march to the 1980 Olympic Games gold medal are now on display at a sporting goods store in Johnstown, Pa.
John Bradley, a former Johnstown Chiefs goaltender and the owner and operator of Ziggy's Sports, has added Craig's pads to a display that is open to the public. Bradley acquired the pads through an auction and the display, which includes other hockey, baseball and football memorabilia, is open to the public free of charge.
"What do hockey people want to see?" Bradley said to the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. "I'd ask people, 'What's the greatest sports moment you remember? Even people who aren't into hockey say, 'The Miracle on Ice.'"
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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.
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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!
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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.
If you are interested in HDA's Annual Business of Ice Hockey 2016 Edition please contact Marty Maciaszek at [email protected] or (800) 815-5422, ext.1260. It is available for free to HDA and NSGA members and costs $395 for non-members.
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Did you know?
The NHL will celebrate its 100th year with a Centennial celebration in 2017. A year filled with events will start with the Jan. 1 Centennial Classic between Original Six teams Detroit and host Toronto and conclude with the 100th anniversary of the league's founding and first games next November and December.
Click here for more on the NHL Centennial celebration.
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Request an NSGA Special Events Toolkit
Let NSGA help you impact your customer base by throwing an unforgettable event. The NSGA Special Events Toolkit contains a planning guide, event-specific ideas, templates and more.
Request a kit today by emailing
[email protected]
. Event kits are free of cost to NSGA and HDA members!
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Subscribe to
NSGA Scoreboard
The NSGA Scoreboard gives you all the sporting goods industry news you need in one place. The Scoreboard is sent twice a month and includes content about research, advocacy, NSGA, team dealer and sales agent issues and industry news.
Subscribe today
!
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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?
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We want
your news!
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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.
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| 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.
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| Please Contact Us |
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c/o NSGA
1601 Feehanville Drive Suite 300
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
(800) 815-5422, ext. 1260.
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