March 2014
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INDUSTRY NEWS

 

STX Partners with 200x85

 

STX continued its push toward its start of ice hockey equipment sales this spring as it signed a sponsorship agreement with tournament and ice hockey experience company 200x85. The three-year partnership with 200x85 includes title sponsorship of three hockey tournaments each year including the STX Chi-Town Shuffle in Chicago and the development and launch of the STX Hockey Combine for U14 players.

 

The STX Chi-Town Shuffle will be held April 18-20 and draws more than 2,500 players each year. STX will also be developing an exclusive, invitation only hockey combine for the top 68 U14 players in the country.

 

STX announced earlier this year it secured an on-ice NHL equipment license and signed Minnesota Wild standout to be the face of STX hockey. Hilary Knight, one of the top women's players in the U.S., signed a five-year agreement with STX and began using its products in the 2014 Olympic Games.

 

Click here for more information about STX, which also manufactures lacrosse, field hockey and golf equipment.

 

Bauer acquires Easton Baseball/Softball

  

Bauer Performance Sports continued to expand its footprint in the sporting goods industry by announcing it had entered an agreement to acquire Easton Baseball/Softball for $330 million US. Easton-Bell Sports also has indicated it is looking to sell Easton Hockey to a third party so the company can re-invest in other areas.


The agreement between Bauer and Easton was unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors and is expected to close within 60 days. Bauer Performance Sports now adds Easton, one of the iconic names in baseball, to a portfolio that includes Bauer, Mission, Maverik, Cascade, Inaria and Combat.

 

Bauer President and CEO Kevin Davis said he expects to increase Easton's current 28 percent market share in diamond sports by accelerating investment in product development and connecting more strongly with customers. BPS will own the Easton brand and Easton/Baseball Softball business. Easton-Bell Sports will keep the Easton Hockey and Easton Cycling businesses.

 

In a statement, Easton-Bell said the proceeds from this transaction and the sale of Easton Hockey will be used to grow the company's remaining brands - Bell, Riddell, Giro, Blackburn and Easton Cycling. After the transactions are complete, the company will be renamed BRG Sports and will focus on action sports and football markets.

  

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WILL THERE BE COST OF GOLD
FOR CANADA?

 

Canada continued to show its hockey strength as its men's and women's team won Olympic gold medals in Sochi. But a Toronto Star Business "Sportonomics" story wondered if the the sport's costs could drive potential players out of the game.

 

The story cited how the parents of Canadian Olympian and Colorado Avalanche player Matt Duchene poured more than $320,000 into their son's hockey career between equipment, instruction, team fees, travel and lost income.

 

"That's a pretty good investment when you become Matt Duchene, he's going to make $50 million over the course of his career," said Ken Campbell, a reporter at The Hockey News who co-authored the book Selling the Dream: How Hockey Parents and Their Kids Are Paying the Price for Our National Obsession. "But there are very few Matt Duchenes in the world ... The vast majority of the people spending that kind of money, their kids aren't going to make any money playing hockey."

 

Click here to read the full story, which also discusses Hockey Canada's partnership with Bauer on its Grow the Game program, and to see a video where the reporter demonstrates the various prices for hockey equipment. 

 

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THE CASE OF COREY CRAWFORD'S DISAPPEARING LEG PADS

Corey Crawford, the goalie for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, was shocked by the disappearance of his favorite set of leg pads after his team's 5-1 Stadium Series victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago's Soldier Field.

 

Crawford said he believes the white pads he usually wears were stolen from Soldier Field. He wore black pads since the Blackhawks wore black jerseys for the outdoor game.

 

"This is crazy," Crawford told the Chicago Tribune. "I've never seen this before. I've never heard of this before. It's crazy, man. The trainers are all stunned that it happened. Honestly, I told every guy and some of the guys didn't believe it happened."

 

Click here to read the full Chicago Tribune story.

 

 


PROGRAM SET FOR NSGA'S 50TH MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND TEAM DEALER SUMMIT

The NSGA Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit reaches a major milestone by celebrating its 50th year on April 27-30 in Indian Wells, Calif. (just outside of Palm Springs). Registration is now open for the longest-running event of its kind in the sporting goods industry,which will feature powerful speakers, education sessions and social opportunities to network with leaders throughout the sporting goods industry.

 

The lineup of speakers includes Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane (who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie "Moneyball"), Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray, President's Council for Physical Fitness Executive Director Shellie Pfohl, former NCAA champion wrestler Anthony Robles and renowned business writer, commentator and author Carmine Gallo.

 

The Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit will also feature the annual NSGA golf tournament and Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Dinner, the second annual NSGA Tennis Clinic and Mickey Newsome Neighborhood Walk and the All-Star Awards Luncheon. A Casino Night and Wine Tasting are new additions this year.

 

Click here to register and check out more information about the event on the conference webpage. You can also click here to reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa.

 

 


CHECK OUT THE HDA NEW PRODUCT DIGEST!

 
edgeagainmanual
trusox Looking to give some new products a try in your store or pro shop? The Fall 2013 edition of the New Product Digest features a variety of hockey-related products for you to check out. 

  
sdgoalieshirtstikmate2 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 [email protected].
 
Click here to view the New Product Digest.
 
 

JOIN OR RENEW NOW!

   

Now is the time to become a new member or renew your membership with the Hockey Dealers Association. You can do it easily by clicking here to fill out an application and learn more about the benefits of being a part of the voice for hockey dealers.

  

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Sincerely,

 

Chuck Suritz

Marty's signature.jpg
Marty Maciaszek
[email protected] 

 


                      
 
        

 

                                                   
In This Issue
INDUSTRY NEWS: STX Partners with 200x85; Bauer acquires Easton Baseball/Softball
WILL THERE BE COST OF GOLD FOR CANADA?
THE CASE OF COREY CRAWFORD'S DISAPPEARING LEG PADS
PROGRAM SET FOR NSGA'S 50TH MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND TEAM DEALER SUMMIT
CHECK OUT THE HDA NEW PRODUCT DIGEST!
JOIN OR RENEW NOW!
GE Capital Sport credit program for HDA members
 
The costs of gear for hockey players can 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. You can also check click here for more information.
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? 
Click here to let us know about it.
Did you know?
 
Before 1914, referees used to place the puck on the ice between the players' sticks for faceoffs, according to the online magazine One Million Skates. This led to many cuts, bruises and even broken hands for the referees.
 
Starting in 1914, the referees were allowed to drop the puck between the players' sticks.

We want your news!
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.  

Join now! 

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.

Please Contact Us 

c/o NSGA

1601 Feehanville Drive Suite 300

Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

Phone:(800) 815-5422 ext. 1260.

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