March 2017
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INDUSTRY NEWS

PSG Completes Sale;
Begins Search for New CEO 

Performance Sports Group announced the completion of the sale of substantially all of its assets, and its North American subsidiaries, including its European and global operations to Sagard Holdings Inc. and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

The new, privately held company also announced that Harlan Kent, who was previously the Chief Executive Officer of PSG, will continue to lead the business on an interim basis with the search for a permanent CEO underway.

The new company will continue to develop and manufacture ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball sports equipment and related apparel. The products will be marketed under the Bauer, Mission, Maverik, Cascade and Easton brand names and will be distributed by sales representatives and independent distributors world-wide.

Paul Desmarais III, the Executive Chairman of Sagard Holdings, will serve as chairman of the new company during its transition to new leadership.

Click here to read more about the PSG sale and changes.


NFHS Increases Authenticating Mark Fee on Hockey Pucks and Other Balls 

nfhs The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced a fee increase of 15 cents in its Authenticating Mark Program (AMP) that will take effect Jan. 1, 2018. The increase of the fee paid by manufacturers was approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The fee increase will increase from 35 cents to 50 cents per dozen for hockey pucks, baseballs, softballs and field hockey and lacrosse balls. The f ee increase will go from 35 cents to 50 cents per unit on basketballs, footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and water polo balls. T he NFHS Authenticating Mark is required on all the balls/pucks previously mentioned for use in interscholastic competition.

All balls/pucks in inventory with the NFHS Authenticating Mark may be used in official competition. All balls/pucks currently in schools with the NFHS Authenticating Mark can be used and all balls/pucks already produced with the NFHS Authenticating Mark may be sold.

The fee increase will be assessed on all balls/pucks manufactured after Jan. 1, 2018. The minimum and maximum sizes of the NFHS Authenticating Mark will not change.

Click here to read more and learn which states have high schools playing ice hockey under NFHS rules.


MANUFACTURER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Quick Response Apparel Shoots
Into Hockey Market 


Jerry Boquist understands a lot has changed since he grew up playing hockey in International Falls, Minnesota. Boquist is looking for ways to make it easier for kids to play the sport and help hockey dealers with their business.

Boquist is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Quick Response Apparel, which recently became a manufacturer member of the Hockey Dealers Association. QRA is one of the largest custom athletic uniform manufacturers in the world and has the capacity to produce 300,000 custom uniforms in one month.

Boquist is looking to develop a custom hockey uniform business with dealers who can go to schools, associations and/or clubs and get orders completed on a quick-turn basis. Boquist said QRA can drop-ship or transmit the product to the dealer or drop-ship it to the school or organization with the invoice going through the dealer.

QRA does tackle twill and sublimation jerseys and can create kits and bags that can help reduce some of the major expenses that have become part of playing hockey.

Click here to learn more about QR Apparel. You can also contact Jerry Boquist at jboquist@qrapparel.org or (425) 985-6722.



HISTORY LESSON

Looking at What Happened
to Graf Canada

graflogo Graf Canada built a strong following in the hockey community with innovative and quality skates. But some changes in philosophy toward other equipment saw the company lose its identity and ultimately go bankrupt.

Click here for one hockey retailer's viewpoint on Graf's fall.


EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION

College Equipment Manager
Gets Two Games for Fighting 

There was an odd twist to a postgame handshake fight between Alaska-Fairbanks and Lake Superior State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) game in February where 115 penalty minutes were assessed after the final whistle.

The WCHA suspended Lake Superior State equipment manager Paul Prucha two games for violating the WCHA's Code of Conduct policies. Prucha was apparently too forceful in trying to break up the postgame fight.

Alaska-Fairbanks' third-string goalie also received a game disqualification penalty and was forced to sit out the next game even though he had not played a minute the entire season.


AROUND THE RINK

Ice Problems Have
Plagued NHL This Season 

A hot topic in the NHL this season has been complaints about ice conditions in a number of arenas.

The Carolina Hurricanes had to postpone a game in December and problems with the ice cooling system at Brooklyn's Barclays Center have the New York Islanders looking to play elsewhere. Players have also expressed their displeasure with ice conditions in Arizona, Chicago and Detroit.

Click here to read more about the NHL ice problems.
 

SHOWTIME

Let's Play Hockey Expo
March 10-11 in St. Paul 

The 28th annual Let's Play Hockey Expo, the world's largest consumer hockey trade show, will be held March 10-11 at the St. Paul RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Expo has attracted more than 40,000 fans as it is held during the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament in the adjacent Xcel Energy Center.

The Expo features a wide range of exhibits from major manufacturers to smaller entrepreneurs trying to break into the marketplace. Hockey legends such as Gordie Howe, Guy Lafleur and Bobby Hull have appeared at the show.

This year's Let's Play Hockey Expo will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. For more information, click here to go to the Let's Play Hockey website or call (320) 333-3279.
 

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.



 
Sincerely,
 

Marty's signature.jpg
Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@nsga.org 
 

                      
 
        
 
                                                     
In This Issue
NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit
 
May 21-24, 2017

Registration is now open for the 53rd Annual NSGA Management Conference & 19th Annual Team Dealer Summit on May 21-24, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Join your colleagues for this event packed with a variety of opportunities, including education, networking, innovation and industry recognition. Legendary golf instructor Hank Haney is the keynote speaker. 

Please click here for more information.
 
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 

Purchase the 2016 editions of NSGA's Sports Participation in the United States and Sporting Goods Market Report. 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 mmaciaszek@nsga.org or (847) 296-NSGA (6742), ext.1260. It is available for free to HDA and NSGA members and costs $395 for non-members.
Did you know?

On Feb. 23, 1972, the Boston Bruins became the first NHL team to come back from a 5-goal deficit when they beat the California Golden Seals 8-6.  Bobby Orr had 1 goal and 4 assists as the Bruins responded to a 6-1 deficit midway through the second period.
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 !

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? 
Click here to let us know about it.

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 (847) 296-NSGA (6742), ext. 1260 to join today.

Please Contact Us 


c/o NSGA

1601 Feehanville Drive Suite 300

Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

(847) 296-NSGA (6742), ext. 1260.

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