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HDA, SDC COLLABORATION
IS UNDERWAY
 Any business would be interested in better pricing for its products and increased access to top brand names. That opportunity is now here for hockey dealers in the United States.
The Hockey Dealers Association (HDA), National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and Sports Distributors of Canada Ltd. (SDC) have started a collaboration which will allow HDA and NSGA member retailers and team dealers access to the group buying power of SDC's members to purchase ice hockey equipment.
SDC will extend its vast ice hockey expertise and buying strength to members of HDA and NSGA. HDA and NSGA members will participate in all levels of SDC's hockey business, including their annual hockey show, buying programs and special makeup product offerings, as well as have representation on the SDC Hockey Committee.
All participating U.S. hockey retailers will have to be members of HDA or NSGA. 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 is now in effect. 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 opportunity. Dealers throughout the country have been submitting their inquiry forms!
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THE HDA FALL NEW PRODUCT DIGEST IS OUT!
 Looking to give some new products a try in your store or pro shop? The Fall 2013 edition of the New Product Digest is out and features a variety of hockey-related products for you to check out.
 We'll be updating the New Product Digest periodically. If you want to get the word out about one of your new products, send a detailed description of the product with photos, the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price), website and contact information to Marty Maciaszek at mmaciaszek@nsga.org. Click here to view the Fall 2013 New Product Digest.
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AROUND THE ICE Taking the underwater hockey plunge 
What if you can't find some good ice outside in the winter or ice time indoors? Then underwater hockey might be an option to keep that hockey fix going. Underwater hockey has two six-player, co-ed teams with no checking or fighting and no goalies since no one can hold their breath for two 15-minute halves. The puck is the same size and shape but weighs 3 pounds so it will sink to the bottom of the pool, the stick is one foot long and gloves, fins and a mask and snorkel are also used. Click here to learn more about underwater hockey at the Chicago Underwater Hockey Club website. Try Hockey for Free Day is Nov. 2
Increasing youth participation is one of the main goals of everyone involved in the hockey industry. One of the programs created to help achieve this goal is USA Hockey's national Try Hockey for Free (THFF) day, which will be held Nov. 2. It is designed to attract kids ages 4 through 9 who may not have considered youth hockey as an option.
For USA Hockey to sanction a THFF day, all participants must wear a hockey helmet, skates and gloves (which can be winter or snow gloves). One suggestion from USA Hockey is for a youth hockey association to see if local hockey shops or sporting goods retailers have any used equipment they are willing to loan for the event. In return, the association can include a flyer promoting the hockey shop in the goodie bags participants receive.
Shannon Webster, who is part of USA Hockey's Membership Development department, said THFF days are held in early November to take advantage of the attention given to the start of the NHL season and the conclusion of many youth fall sports seasons. Associations that take part in the event on Nov. 2 receive the USA Hockey jerseys and goodie bags to give to participants.
Webster also said grassroots marketing in the community, energetic and knowledgeable volunteers and follow-up with participants after the THFF event are keys to its success.
Let's Play Hockey holds fifth annual used hockey equipment drive Let's Play Hockey has organized its fifth annual used hockey equipment drive in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with collection boxes at area arenas and hockey shops. The drive started Aug. 27 and runs until early October, with gear to be distributed Oct. 13 at the Xcel Energy Center. The previous equipment drives have seen more than 10,000 pieces of hockey gear get distributed to more than 2,500 people. Last year, families throughout the state of Minnesota came to receive free equipment. Back to top |
INDUSTRY NEWS
Bill McLean to receive Let's Play Hockey lifetime achievement award
Hockey pioneer Bill McLean has been chosen as the recipient of Let's Play Hockey's Bob Perani Lifetime Achievement Award. McLean spent 20 years at Bauer as a warehouse manager, sales representative, sales manager and vice president of sales before moving to Louisville Slugger and Tournament Sports. He was president of Brine from 1996-2004 and was president of Superfeet Worldwide, Inc., a leading insole and shoe insert company, before retiring in July. The award is given in honor of the late Bob Perani, a former college and pro hockey player who founded Perani's Hockey World. It is given to individuals in the hockey industry who live up to Perani's standards of passion, dedication, commitment, responsibility, hard work and integrity. McLean will be presented with the award at a reception March 7, 2014 in conjunction with the 25th Annual Let's Play Hockey Expo in St. Paul, Minn. Long-time sales representatives and dealers will also be honored. Click here for more details on the Let's Play Hockey Expo. Back to top |
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?
 In 1991, the NHL began using Marsh Flexible Goal Pegs on all of its nets to increase player safety. Fred Marsh, who was involved in ice arena operations for more than 40 years, developed the pegs which allow nets to pop off on a strong impact from a player, but stay on during regular play. |
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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 to our new members
The Hockey Dealers Association would like to welcome its two newest members:
J&J Hockey
Bernardston, MA
Louis Bordeaux
Robert Morris Univ.
Island Sports Center
Pittsburgh, PA
Robert Martin
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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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