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THE 2013 ANNUAL BUSINESS OF
ICE HOCKEY REPORT IS HERE
HDA members will be receiving an electronic copy of "The Annual Business of Ice Hockey Report; 2013 Edition," which includes data on consumer purchases of equipment, trends in participation and a look at the cost of doing business.
If you are interested in becoming an HDA member and receiving this report, please contact HDA co-director Marty Maciaszek at (800) 815-5422, ext. 1260 or by email at [email protected]. The report is available to non-members for $125.
If you have questions about the report, contact Dustin Dobrin, NSGA Director of Research, at (800) 815-5422, ext. 1170 or by email at [email protected].
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BUSINESS BEAT
Solutions for small businesses
dealing with a cash-flow crunch Small businesses face more potential cash-flow problems than their larger competitors. But there are ways to deal with cash-flow problems such as collecting debts sooner, making payments later or deciding whether to rent vs. buy. Click here to read more. Summer tips for small businesses Hockey dealers know as well as anyone that the pace definitely slows for the small-business owner in the summer. But it could make this the perfect time to set yourself up for a big finish to the year. Growing your network, improving your website, assessing goals, getting staff on track, automating your business and, yes - getting away from it all for awhile - are all components to a solid summer strategy. Click here to read more. Back to top |
ERIE SPORT STORE RECEIVES AWARD
| From left, Erie Sport vice president Jack Weber, Erie County executive Barry Grossman, Erie Sport president Rich Weber. |
The Erie Sport Store received the Erie County (Pa.) Excel Award for June. The monthly award recognizes an Erie County company for the work it does in the community.
The Erie Sport Store, which is a member of NSGA, was established in 1951. Its hockey department has more than 50 years of experience, led by Mike Folga, the head trainer for the New York Rangers, and it supports numerous local youth, high school, college, women's and adult hockey leagues.
"It means a great deal, it means we have extremely loyal customers and we have an outstanding sales staff of over 60 people, so we're just delighted to be recognized," said owner Rich Weber.
Click here to learn more about Erie Sport Store's hockey department at its website.
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AROUND THE ICE
Hockey gets another chance
at Fort Bragg
Youth hockey at the Fort Bragg U.S. Army military installation in Fayetteville, N.C., received a reprieve after budgetary restraints threatened to close the ice rink for the summer. But leaders of the Cape Fear Youth Hockey Association convinced leaders of Fort Bragg that youth hockey and other ice sports were important.
There has been a 20 percent growth in participation of the CFYHA's Jr. Fire Antz youth hockey program, which has more than 100 families involved. The planned shutdown would have come right in the middle of the spring hockey season and would have shut down the June assessment and selection program for the fall and winter season, a summer conditioning program and a development program of camps and clinics.
Defending the Blue Line, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that children of military families can play hockey, helped with an on-line petition drive. The Carolina Hurricanes donated $10,000 to offset some of the summer expenses because in order to keep the rink open, the installation nearly doubled the summer hourly rental fees.
The CFYHA plans to launch fundraising and sponsorship efforts. For more information on how to help, contact CFYHA treasurer Chris Churchbourne at [email protected] or visit the website at cfyha.org.
Robert Morris University, Bauer
combine to donate skates
The Steel City Icebergs and Pittsburgh ICE charitable hockey programs received a huge boost with a donation of 50 pairs of ice skates from the Robert Morris University hockey team. The skates come in all sizes and have been used only once.
The donation was possible through Bauer, which donates 100 pairs of skates for a recreational rental skate at the NCAA men's Frozen Four, which was held this year at Consol Energy Center. The host team can select which local programs receive the donated skates.
The Icebergs program is for children and adults with developmental disabilities and the ICE - which stands for Inclusion Creates Equality - gives socially and economically disadvantaged kids ages 6-18 the resources to play hockey. Both groups are free of charge, except for USA Hockey's mandatory $40 registration fee, and offer players any equipment they need.
Click here to read the entire story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
NHL free agent helps sport
with donation to underprivileged kids
NHL defenseman Ryan O'Byrne has a lot on his mind as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his six-year NHL career. But he also had the growth of the sport in mind last week when he met with a group of underprivileged kids at Kirby's Source for Sports in Victoria, British Columbia.
The 29-year-old O'Byrne, a Victoria native, handed out 25 sets of free gear and registrations for kids to play in their leagues during the event at Kirby's. O'Byrne, who has played with the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs, also played some shinny (street hockey) as part of a partnership with KidSport Greater Victoria, the NHL Players' Association's Goals & Dreams Fund, Kirby's and O'Byrne's Youth Sport Society.
"This is such a great event and it brings it all back into perspective," O'Byrne said to the Times Colonist. "I've been fortunate enough to play in the NHL for six years and I can do this and give back to the kids, so hopefully get these kids involved in sport. I'm not worrying about free agency today, that's for sure."
Click here to read the full story.
Massive floods have wide-ranging
effects on hockey in Alberta
Heavy late-June rains in western Canada led to massive flooding that has had wide-ranging effects on hockey in the Calgary area.
The Scotiabank Saddledome, the home of the NHL's Calgary Flames was hard hit as Dressing rooms, coaches' offices and all of the mechanical equipment in the arena were affected by the floodwaters. The organization will try to get everything in order in time for the start of the 2013-14 NHL season in three months.
Numerous donations of jerseys and equipment have been made for minor hockey leagues in High River, Alberta. The drive started with a group of moms looking to help the High River flood victims.
And new Flames forward Corban Knight, a High River native, said he anticipated losing a lot of his youth hockey equipment and mementos from the flooding at his family's home.
Click here to read more on the Saddledome flooding.
Click here to read more on the High River donations.
Click here to read more about Corban Knight's losses.
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LOOKING FOR ADDITIONS TO THE HDA NEW PRODUCT DIGEST!
Looking to get the news out about your newest hockey-related products? Whether it's skates, sticks, helmets, protective gear, accessories or lifestyle apparel, HDA wants to know about it so we can spread the word in an updated New Product Digest this September. We are looking for products that have been developed within the last year.
Please submit your product information by August 15 to Marty Maciaszek at [email protected]. Your email submission should include a detailed description and photos of your product, the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price), website information and contact information.
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MICK'S PICK
FOR THE STANLEY CUP?
Was Rolling Stones' legendary frontman Mick Jagger just playing to the different crowds during tour stops in Boston and Chicago? That could be, but Mick was also going with the winners since both teams battled for the Stanley Cup, which the Blackhawks won for the second time in four years.
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Sincerely,
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Chuck Suritz
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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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Did you know?
The Chicago Blackhawks-Boston Bruins matchup was the first between Original Six members in the Stanley Cup finals since 1979 when the New York Islanders beat the Montreal Canadiens.
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HDA member in the news
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RG Hockey and owner Greg Peckham, who is a member of HDA, were recently featured in a a Chicago Now blog post.
The blogger mentioned the importance of having a professional like Peckham to help ensure equipment fits properly and also meets the needs of the customer.
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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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Key part of Affordable Care Act put on hold for one year
The Obama administration decided to delay a key provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and will not require employers to provide health insurance for their employees until 2015.
The delay comes after complaints from businesses and their lobbyists regarding reporting requirements for employers with 50 or more full-time workers. Companies would have paid the Internal Revenue Service $2,000 for each full-time employee who didn't get health coverage, starting Jan. 1, 2014.
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Join now!
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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
Phone:(800) 815-5422 ext. 1260.
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