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HDA LAUNCHES COLLABORATION WITH SPORTS DISTRIBUTORS OF CANADA!
When the Hockey Dealers Association started three years ago, it became apparent that independent hockey dealers in the United States were interested in improving their buying power. Hockey dealers were looking for better product pricing and access to some of the top brands in the business.
That possibility for hockey dealers is now a reality. HDA, National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and Sports Distributors of Canada Ltd. (SDC) have launched a collaboration which will allow HDA and NSGA member retailers and team dealers access to the group buying power of SDC's members for the purchase of ice hockey equipment.
SDC will extend its vast ice hockey expertise and buying strength to members of HDA and NSGA. HDA and NSGA will participate in all levels of SDC's hockey business, including their annual hockey show, buying programs and special make up product offerings, as well as have representation on the SDC Hockey Committee.
The agreement includes a number of provisions, including that all participating U.S. hockey retailers will be members of HDA or NSGA. In addition, interested participants will undergo a vetting process led by SDC that will ensure credit worthiness and customer-focused business practices.
The agreement between HDA, NSGA and SDC will take effect immediately; however the true impact of the partnership will be realized when the two groups combine efforts this fall as they plan for the 2014 hockey season.
For U.S. hockey dealers interested in more information on the collaboration, please contact HDA Co-Managing Director Marty Maciaszek by emailing mmaciaszek@nsga.org or calling (800) 815-5422, ext. 1260.
Click here to learn more about the collaboration and to find an inquiry form to start the process of potentially becoming a part of this unique collaboration. Dealers throughout the country have already submitted inquiry forms!
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BAUER, HOCKEY CANADA ANNOUNCE "GROW THE GAME" RESEARCH AND INITIATIVES
Pilot program scheduled to start
this fall in Canada
 Bauer's goal is to add one million new players to the sport of hockey by 2022. To achieve this, Bauer and Hockey Canada commissioned a research initiative to learn more about why kids aren't playing hockey and they have created pilot programs to address the issue. Hockey in Canada has experienced historically low participation growth rates in recent years, and today approximately 90 percent of Canadian families and their children choose not to play hockey, according to Bauer. However, the Bauer/Hockey Canada survey showed 73 percent of non-hockey families would consider having their child play in the future and 40 percent said they would definitely consider their child playing in the future. The perceived barriers include hockey not being viewed as a fun sport and concerns about time commitment, travel, safety and cost. The pilot program, which will launch this fall in Ontario and Nova Scotia, has been designed to address these barriers. Hall of Famer Mark Messier will also assist Bauer and Hockey Canada in their efforts to increase participation. Click here to read the full news release from Bauer. Click here to see the Bauer and Hockey Canada research findings. Back to top |
INDUSTRY NEWS
Perani's opens
Chicago-area location
The Chicago Tribune has taken to calling the city "Hawkeytown" as the Blackhawks just won their second Stanley Cup in four years. Hoping to capitalize on the increased interest in hockey is Perani's Hockey World, as it opened its first Chicago-area location at an ice rink in the north suburbs. Perani's, which has more than 20 locations in the U.S. and Canada, is an HDA member. Click here to read the Tribune story on the entry of Perani's into the Chicago market. Back to top |
BUSINESS BEAT
Retailers prepared
for mobile Christmas
New research has found that 53 percent of retailers expect mobile transactions to account for a significant part of their holiday sales this year. And 81 percent of the 77 retailers surveyed for the research say they will upgrade their e-commerce platforms as a way to deal with expected mobile growth. Retailers are predicting that increases in mobile sales will help their in-store sales as well since online shoppers may be drawn to physical stores to complete their purchases. Social media on the other hand, is not predicted to have a large impact on sales, with just 16 percent of respondents saying social will drive significant sales. Click here to read more. Back to top |
AROUND THE ICE
Defending the Blue Line
makes Minnesota visit
Members of Defending the Blue Line, a charitable organization devoted to supporting military families involved in hockey, recently visited Camp Ripley in Minnesota to watch soldiers in the Minnesota National Guard conduct training. Defending the Blue Line members also signed autographs for children of the Minnesota National Guard. Defending the Blue Line is comprised of military members, NHL players and others who help military families by providing hockey camp scholarships, hockey equipment and hockey lessons to children of military parents. Click here to read more. Back to top |
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 mmaciaszek@nsga.org. 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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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?
 Tim Hortons restaurants were co-founded in 1964 by Tim Horton, an all-star defenseman who had a 24-year NHL career before his death at age 44 in 1974. The Tim Hortons chain has more than 3,000 locations in Canada and more than 600 in the United States. |
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Correction
In the 1979 Stanley Cup finals, the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 4-1 in the last matchup between Original Six teams before this year, when the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Boston Bruins.
In last month's "Did You Know?" we had the New York Islanders beating the Montreal Canadiens for the 1979 Stanley Cup.
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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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NSGA All-Star Awards Nomination Period Kicks Off
Do you know a business doing great things in their community, or innovating within the sporting goods industry? Perhaps it's your own company. We hope you'll take a moment to nominate them for the Third Annual NSGA All-Star Awards!
The nomination period for the NSGA All-Star Awards is underway and runs until November 1. The Community Collaboration and Industry Catalyst All-Star Awards will be presented at the 2014 NSGA Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit next April in Indian Wells, Calif.
Click here to learn more about the NSGA All-Star Awards program.
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Welcome aboard: Hockey Plus
 Welcome to the HDA's newest member, Hockey Plus in Nashville and owner Kevin Kolff.
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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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