September 2015

NEW HDA/NSGA
MANUFACTURER MEMBER
SPOTLIGHTS

SummerSkates

SummerSkates sport sandals, made with real hockey laces, are the talk of the 68 million NHL hockey fans in North America. Launched in the summer of 2014 in Canada, these sport sandals are quickly finding their way to retailers across the US, moving more than 60,000 units. SummerSkates continues to win the praise of consumers on social media for the extreme comfort and performance. SummerSkates are the perfect match of form, functionality, value and sports fashion for the consumer. Their launch success has led to NHL preferred vendor status and a multi-year global NHLPA license.

SummerSkates can be fully customizable with team, club or corporate logos, enabling you to create a uniquely distinct product and sales opportunity for your store. The ability to customize SummerSkates with team logos and graphics has given more than 500 sports teams the ultimate way to show their game. This customization capability has created a vehicle for instant brand billboards for the NHL, local hockey teams, other sporting associations and more. Custom embroidered logo SummerSkates are available in 20 pair minimum order and shipped within 15 business days from approval.

SummerSkates enables the retailer to provide their customers with the latest innovation in sports sandals at an attractive price of $29.99 MSRP that will drive turns and sales per square foot. Available in 7 hockey lace colors and in 6 sizes, covering approximately 90 percent of the hockey playing market. A combination of competitive margins, complete merchandising solutions, sales product knowledge and a retailer sandal customization package gives the retailer the support they need to create a truly unique offering that cannot be matched by other manufacturers.

For more information, email sales@summerskates.com, call sales support at (888) 747-3301 or go to their website at www.summerskates.com.

Stick Handler

Stick Handler started in 1983 as the first Grip Tape for drummers and has been on the sticks of many of the world's best drummers including; Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Alex Van Halen (Van Halen), Gil Moore (Triumph), Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Doane Perry (Jethro Tull), Ansley Dunbar (Journey, Zappa, Whitesnake), Charlie Banante (Anthrax) and the Blue Man Group.

Stick Handler was discovered for hockey by its founder's son, who loves to play. There were always rolls around that he would take to hockey games and his teammates began using Stick Handler. Hockey players immediately realized the special formulation, made with the finest quality surgical grade cotton gauze with a unique mild gripping agent, provides the ultimate customizable non-slip on any stick.

Stick Handler sticks to itself with no other tape required and does not alter the natural balance of the stick. It is perfect for enhancing and bulking up your handle for a personalized custom fit and feel.

Stick Handler improves grip and stick control with no more holes in gloves or sticky buildup. It comes in its own resealable plastic bag for a fresh clean dry roll every time and with 360 inches (9.14m) on each roll, is available in 10 attractive colors and there's plenty of grip tape to last stick after stick.

The list price for Stick Handler is $7.95 but significant dealer discounts are available. For more information, email sales@StickHandler.net, call (847) 398-5444, ext. 102 or go to the website at www.StickHandler.net.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Adidas Lands NHL Jersey Deal

The NHL and adidas announced a seven-year partnership that will make adidas the official outfitter of on-ice uniforms and official supplier of licensed apparel and headwear for the League starting with the 2017-18 season. Reebok, a brand owned by the adidas Group, is the NHL's current official outfitter.

In addition, the NHL, NHL Players' Association and adidas announced a partnership for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Adidas will be the exclusive outfitter for authentic and replica jerseys for the eight-team tournament that will take place in Toronto from Sept. 17-Oct. 1, 2016.

"This is a big deal for us and we know it is for [adidas]," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Bettman emphatically denied that the new partnership with adidas means advertising on NHL sweaters is coming in the near future. He told NHL.com there have been no formal or informal discussions on the subject. Bettmann did say there have been some discussions about advertising on World Cup jerseys.

Adidas will also be outfitting NHL dressing rooms with high-performance training footwear and apparel. CCM, which like Reebok is a brand owned by the adidas Group, will remain the NHL's official on-ice equipment supplier for the duration of the League's seven-year contract with adidas.

Click here to read the full NHL.com story.

Bauer Signs No. 2 Draft Pick Jack Eichel
to Sponsorship Deal

Bauer Hockey signed Buffalo Sabres top prospect Jack Eichel, the No. 2 selection in this year's draft, to a sponsorship deal. Eichel will exclusively wear equipment from Bauer, which plans to develop an Eichel line of performance and lifestyle clothes.

Eichel played for Boston University last season and was only the second freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's Most Valuable Player. Eichel had 26 goals and 45 assists for 71 points in 40 games.

Eichel was also on hand for the grand opening of Bauer's first "Own The Moment" Retail Experience in the Boston suburb of Burlington, Mass.

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GIVING BACK

Let's Play Hockey Equipment Drive

Let's Play Hockey, the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Hockey will partner for the seventh year for the annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive across the Minneapolis-St. Paul. Thousands of pieces of donated hockey gear will be distributed to local hockey families and hockey associations from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 3, at Xcel Energy Center.

Dropoff boxes have been placed throughout the Twin Cities at select arenas and hockey shops. Goalie equipment, as well as sticks and helmets are the most in need. Over six years, the Used Hockey Equipment Drive has donated more than 16,000 pieces of hockey gear to over 3,000 people. There has been enough donated equipment to fill more than three semi-trailers.

Click here to learn more.

Senators, Lightning Assist
Youth Hockey Programs

The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are nearly 1,500 miles apart in different countries but they are working toward a similar goal. The two NHL franchises have initiatives toward increasing youth hockey participation.
The Senators introduced new programs to complement ones already in place. They include A Learn to Play Hockey program with 10 weeks of 90-minute on-ice teachign sessions for only $99 and a Try Hockey for Free program in several area communities.
The Lightning, NHL and NHLPA (National Hockey League Players Association) announced a plan to spend $6 million over the next five years to promote hockey and teach life skills to Tampa Bay area youth. The plan includes increasing the number of players between 7 and 13 who are registered by USA Hockey in the Tampa Bay area by 1,000 and progressive training opportunities for players and coaches.

HOCKEY BUSINESS

2015 Business of Ice Hockey Report

Now Available

HDA members received an electronic copy of "The Annual Business of Ice Hockey Report: 2015 Edition," which includes data on consumer purchases of equipment, trends in participation and a look at the cost of doing business. It's a great resource to help you with your business and is one of the great benefits of your HDA membership.

If you are interested in becoming an HDA member and receiving this report, or if you are a member and would like a printed copy, please contact HDA managing director Marty Maciaszek at (800) 815-5422, ext. 1260 or by email at mmaciaszek@nsga.org.

The report costs $395 for non-members.

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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.

Sincerely,

Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@nsga.org

In This Issue

NEW HDA/NSGA MANUFACTURER MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS: Summer Skates and Stick Handler

INDUSTRY NEWS: Adidas Lands NHL Jersey Deal; Bauer signs Jack Eichel

GIVING BACK: Let's Play Hockey Equipment Drive; Senators, Lightning Assist Youth Programs

HOCKEY BUSINESS ... 2015 Business of Ice Hockey Report Now Available

Apply Now for HDA/SDC

Hockey Collaboration

The collaboration for the purchase of hockey equipment by U.S. hockey dealers between the HDA and National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) and SDC (Sports Distributors of Canada) continues to grow as it enters its third year.

Click here to learn more about how the collaboration works and to fill out an inquiry form to start the process. Members of the collaboration take advantage of access to various products and discounts to help their bottom line.

There is no obligation to complete the form. Criteria used by SDC to determine participation may include a minimum sales volume of $200,000 in annual wholesale hockey products, credit rating, proximity to existing members and meeting certain store standards.

Don't delay and inquire today!

NSGA Research Now Available!

NSGA recently released the 2015 Editions of its Sports Participation and Sporting Goods Market reports - must-have documents for any organization looking for key insights into the Sporting Goods Industry.

For more than 30 years, NSGA has been the Industry's leader in providing reliable research and information to sporting goods executives.

Read the topline results.

How many sporting goods shoppers visit a physical store prior to purchasing a product? What about the technology-savvy Millennial generation?

Find out the answers to these questions and get an overview of the topics covered in NSGA's first-ever sporting goods shopper insight study by clicking here.

Did you know?

Al Arbour was the last NHL player to wear eyeglasses on the ice when his 14-year playing career ended in 1971. Arbour coached the New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cups (1980-83).