August 2020
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RETAIL IMPACT

Canada to Impose Retaliatory
Tariffs on U.S. Imports

hockey_stick.jpg The Canadian deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, plans to impose $3.6 billion Canadian in tariffs on U.S. imports in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement he would re-impose a 10 percent tariff on Canadian aluminum. The Canadian tariff would affect dozens of products in the sporting goods industry such as hockey sticks. 


RESEARCH NEWS

2020 Business of Ice Hockey Report Now Available to HDA-NSGA Members

Did hockey participation change in 2019? What percentage of hockey participants were female? And what other sports were hockey participants more likely to also play?

The 2020 Edition of the HDA Annual Business of Ice Hockey Report has participation information that can help you make decisions for your business. HDA members will be receiving the report as a membership benefit. The cost of the report for non-members is $295, so if you join HDA today for $150, you will receive this excellent informational resource along with other benefits!

For more information, please contact HDA Managing Director Marty Maciaszek at mmaciaszek@nsga.org or (847) 296-NSGA (6742), ext. 1260 or Tom Van Jacobs at tvanjacobs@nsga.org or (847) 296-6742, ext. 1290.


RULES CENTRAL

New York Makes Changes to High School Hockey Rules

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has approved two changes to boys ice hockey. Boys ice hockey received approval to adopt 17-minute periods with adjusted penalty times that will begin in the 2020-21 season. The other approval was to allow a two-referee, one-lineman officiating system in all regional and state final four games. 


NCAA Ice Hockey Rules
Changes for 2020-21

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved changes to the specific rules for the 2020-21 season. The panel approved a new overtime format for both men's and women's ice hockey. The new rule will have all teams that are tied at the end of regulation play a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-victory overtime period to decide a winner. The panel also made changes to faceoffs and handshakes. For faceoffs, the panel approved to allow teams to choose which faceoff circle the puck would be dropped in a the start of a power play or after icing violations. The handshake rule, which required teams to shake hands after a game, has been removed because of COVID-19 concerns.    
STATE OF THE GAME

NHL, Bauer Part of Hockey
Equipment Relief Program

The National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), NHL, Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada have launched a Hockey Equipment Relief Program to help families that have been most impacted by COVID-19. This program will help families get their kids back on the ice. This initiative includes $2 million of hockey gear, with upwards of 7,000 sets to be distributed to families and communities most in need in Canadian NHL cities. "As children look forward to returning to the ice with their friends, at the same time, many families are faced with the economic realities of COVID-19," said Rob Zepp, NHLPA Manager, Special Projects.

Safety Precautions Help Hockey Return for Carolina Junior Hurricanes

The Carolina Junior Hurricanes program, which is tailored for ages 8 to 18, has been back on the ice since the end of May. The youth hockey program is being extra cognizant about making sure players are staying safe and healthy during this pandemic. The rinks that partner with the Hurricanes' NHL club are only allowing for private rentals. There are no games being played and parents are not allowed to be in the rink with their kids. The Junior Hurricanes program has the backing from the NHL which has been a great resource for them. 

Hockey Continues to Thrive in Louisville 

Michael Pearce helped establish the Kentucky Amateur Ice Hockey Association as a nonprofit organization in 2015. In an effort to help the program to become more affordable, the association joined the Roger Sharrer Award program that helps make the cost of hockey gear more affordable for families. Pearce also partnered with the Nashville Predators to help increase participation in the association. Most recently, Pearce reached a new agreement with the University of Louisville that allowed for new uniforms for the program. This has given the program an additional marketing boost to increase participation in youth hockey. 



CCM, Aliu Team on Hockey
Diversity and Inclusion


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CCM Hockey announced an endorsement agreement with Akim Aliu of the newly formed Hockey Diversity Alliance. This parties will work together to eradicate racism and intolerance at all levels of hockey. Akim Aliu is a former NHL Hockey player and the founder of the Time to Dream Foundation. CCM Hockey will be supporting both the foundation and alliance through financial contribution and the donation of 750 complete starter kits for those looking to start playing hockey in underprivileged communities. 
 

NHL's Newest Franchise,
The Seattle Kraken

The NHL awarded Seattle an expansion franchise in 2018 with the team debuting in the 2021-22 season. The process for coming up with the name and logo was meticulous but also had to be secretive to avoid any leaks to the public. Andy Jessy, a part-owner, said the team looked at over 1,200 names and took a harder look at more than 100 before settling on Kraken.
 

COVID-19 INFORMATION

NSGA Reopening Resources Library

The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has produced a library of resources to help prepare for the reopening of the economy and return of hockey and other sports. The library includes videos from suppliers such as Augusta Sportswear Brands and OC Sports, new information on high school sports restart guidelines, a presentation on preparations for reopening your store and access to information on topics such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Business Interruption Insurance.


Additional Resources for HDA Members

Do you need information on the Paycheck Protection Program through the CARES Act? Looking for resources available in your state? Need some business tips related to COVID-19? Go to the COVID-19 Information and Resources Page to help you navigate this challenging time.
  

JOIN HDA NOW!
   
Why join HDA? Members join to be more profitable with industry intel provided by the Annual Business of Ice Hockey research report, to network, and stay current with peers in the Hockey Dealers Network. And those are just a few of HDA's membership benefits. 

Click here to join and become part of the voice for hockey dealers!


 
Sincerely,

Marty's signature.jpg  


Tom Van Jacobs
tvanjacobs@nsga.org
Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@nsga.org 
In This Issue
NSGA Verified Dealer Program

 
NSGA's Verified Independent Dealer Program recognizes the most qualified independent dealers and retailers in the sporting goods industry.

At no additional cost, learn about the benefits of becoming a verified dealer by clicking here!
Retail Reports Available to Members

"Retail Audit Insights" and "Guide To A Better Retailing Experience" are two comprehensive reports produced by the National Sporting Goods Association. The reports are available for free to all HDA and NSGA members.

Click here for the reports.
Apply Now for HDA/SDC
Hockey Collaboration
 

The collaboration for the purchase of hockey equipment by U.S. hockey dealers between HDA, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC) continues to grow.

 

Click here to learn more about the collaboration and to fill out an inquiry form to start the process. Members of the collaboration have access to a variety of products and discounts to help boost the 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.

 
Did you know?

The most goals scored by a goaltender is Martin Brodeur with three goals. 

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

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