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BUSINESS BEAT
GE Capital Sport credit program
for HDA, NSGA members
Hockey players everywhere are gearing up for a new season. And the costs of that gear will add up quickly. So, the GE Capital Sport program has come up with a plan for members of HDA and NSGA in the United States to provide financing services to drive your business growth and give your customers the affordable payment options they need.
The benefits for you from the GE Capital Sport program include closing more sales while preserving margins with lower credit costs, instant credit decisions, exceptional service, speed and accessibility, funding deposited into accounts within 48 hours and no monthly program fees.
The benefits for your customers include a dedicated credit line to spend at your store and various promotional financing offers from 6 to 18 months.
It's simple and easy for HDA and NSGA members in the U.S. to get started with the GE Capital Sport program by calling (866) 209-4457. And if you apply for the program and submit three new applications by Nov. 30, 2013, you will receive a $300 VISA gift card. You can also check out www.gogecapital.com for more information.
7 ways to create
a busy business holiday season
The holidays are right around the corner, and they play a big part in the fourth quarter, which can be a big deal for small retail businesses. For some, the holiday season can account for 20 to 40 percent of annual sales.
American Express' Katie Washington was one of the speakers at the National Retail Federation's Main Street Retailing Forum on Sept. 30 in Chicago. Washington provided these seven tips for small retailers to prepare for and take advantage of the busiest shopping time of the year.
1. Create a stellar holiday marketing plan
2. Plan special holiday events
3. Offer holiday deals and discounts
4. Hire ahead of the holiday rush
5. Make sure you have enough inventory
6. Use your store windows to promote and sell
7. Promote holiday gift cards and gift certificates
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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 as the two groups continue to 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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INDUSTRY NEWS
NHL goalie equipment
may keep shrinking
 NHL goaltenders may not be getting smaller but their protective equipment could be in another year. The maximum length of goalie pads was cut by nearly two inches for 2013-14 and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said additional changes are being explored because scoring has dropped for four consecutive seasons.
"We're looking at other things that we can do to reduce the size of the equipment and open up more space to shoot at," Bettman said at the Bloomberg Sports Business Summit hosted by Bloomberg Link in New York. "But we have to be careful because, again, goalies are important, valuable, and we don't want them needlessly hurt."
"I'm sure there will be a bit of an adjustment period, but it's something I've gone through and the other goalies have gone through before," Corey Crawford, above, of the Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks was quoted by NHL.com as saying last month. "I just hope it's not something that leads to injuries."
Boathouse debuts
Made-in-America uniforms
 Boathouse Sports, which manufactures sublimated team uniforms, debuted its first line of Made-in-America ice hockey uniforms on Sept. 5. There are two fully sublimated jerseys - the Flight and the Velocity, sublimated socks and Ice Shell pants for a full uniform package. Boathouse jerseys are 20 percent lighter than a traditional cut-and-sewn jersey and they have double shoulders and elbows with reinforcement at all the crucial seams. The Flight jersey has the traditional hockey sweater tie neck and the Velocity has a sleek V-neck collar. In 2012-13, Boathouse partnered with several teams, including the Illinois state champion New Trier men's team from suburban Chicago.
CCM, ECHL extend partnership
CCM will continue to be the official provider of on-ice equipment to all ECHL teams for the 2013-14 season. CCM has been the exclusive supplier of hockey sticks, helmets, visors, gloves and pants for ECHL players the past seven seasons and has been partners of the Premier 'AA' Hockey League for more than 10 years
CCM will also be the exclusive provider of home and away jerseys for all 22 ECHL teams in 2013-14.
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AROUND THE ICE HDA member supports Connecticut-area community causes  Stamford Twin Rinks (STR) in Stamford, Conn., is doing its part to help the community in a variety of ways. In early August, the HDA member hosted its first "Skate 24," a marathon hockey game to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston-based Jimmy Fund.
The event turned out to be a 25-hour hockey game with 60 skaters and eight goalies - mostly in their 20s and 30s - and it raised more than $45,000. The Carolina Hurricanes' Nathan Gerbe, who was most recently with the Buffalo Sabres, played in the game and the Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty donated a stick for auction. It is believed to be the longest hockey game in U.S. history, according to STR organizers. In late September, STR hosted the second annual hockey equipment donation drive put together by three brothers, Rory, James and Charlie Tait, who are ages 11 through 15 and play for the Darien Youth Hockey Association. The inaugural drive saw an outpouring of community support and every piece of usable donated equipment was donated to youth hockey organizations in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Sticks, helmets, skates, neck guards, shoulder, elbow and chest pads, gloves, goalie equipment and hockey bags are collected during the two-day drive held during the STR Fall Classic Hockey Tournament. Click here to read a story on the Skate 24 from the Stamford Advocate. Retired NHL star Mike Modano designs Dallas youth program  The Dallas Stars have announced the creation of the Dallas Stars Little Rookies, a youth hockey initiative designed by former NHL star Mike Modano. It will consist of four 30-minute, Saturday morning on-ice sessions to give kids the chance to learn hockey basics and outfit them with all the needed equipment.
Modano, the greatest American-born scorer in NHL history, designed the program to encourage teamwork, physical fitness and education through hockey. Children ages 4 through 8 who have never participated in a skating or hockey program are eligible to participate. The program began Sept. 28 at ice rinks throughout the Dallas Metroplex. Click here to learn more about the program. Anaheim Ducks' duo funds equipment program  Anaheim forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are hoping to write a big check when the hockey season ends. That would spell success for their agreement to buy equipment for first-time hockey players ages 4 to 10 who take part in the Ducks' Learn to Play program.
The players will fund Bauer equipment (skates, shoulder and elbow pads, shinguards, helmets, pants, gloves and jerseys) and they will also take part in instructional sessions. The program had 1,600 participants last year but the number is expected in increase with the involvement of Getzlaf and Perry. Click here to read more about the program. Back to top |
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, which includes some September updates.
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PATRICK KANE'S STICKHANDLING SHOW
 No one who watches the NHL would question the ability of Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane to make magic happen on the ice. What the two-time Stanley Cup champion does as "Agent 88" in a recent commercial for Bauer's new Vapor APX-2 sticks is truly remarkable. The ending is the only part that isn't live and it only took 15 to 20 minutes to shoot.
Click here to check out the video of Kane's Bauer commercial.
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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?
 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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Still time for NSGA All-Star Awards Nominations
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 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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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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