Ovechkin, Elliott and Lundqvist Stars of the Week
Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin, Brian Elliott and Henrik Lundqvist on being named the NHL's Stars of the Week.
Ovechkin, who was named the first star, had seven goals and nine points in the Capitals four games. Ovechkin is tied for the league lead in goals with 26.
As the second star of the week, Elliott posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.45 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage.
Finally, Lundqvist had a 3-0-1 record with a 1.22 goals-against average and a .962 save percentage.
Bauer Hockey Turns Spotlight Toward Unsung Heroes of Hockey
'Strongest Link' Campaign Winners Met Lundqvist, Ovechkin
Bauer Hockey, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of ice hockey equipment, announced today the winners of its 'Strongest Link' initiative, a European-specific campaign searching for the unsung heroes of hockey who make it possible for players to enjoy the sport. Submissions to this contest, which ran in seven countries, ranged from teammates and siblings to grandparents and coaches. This initiative was led by 2012 Vezina Trophy recipient Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and two-time Hart Memorial Trophy recipient Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
"My unsung hero is my brother Joel," Lundqvist said. "As I'm sure it was for all of the kids who participated in this contest, it was a tough choice for me because so many people played an important and supportive role throughout my career. We always looked out for each other, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without him."
In addition to receiving head-to-toe Bauer Hockey equipment, the winners and their unsung hero received an all-expense paid trip, courtesy of Bauer Hockey, to meet Lundqvist and Ovechkin for the game on March 24.
"It was a great experience for me to be part of this program and meet these special people from around the world," said Ovechkin. "For me it was my family who supported me and it was nice that so many of the winners brought their family to New York as part of this cool Bauer weekend. I am proud to work with Bauer to put a light on all the people who help develop hockey players around the world."
A digital and retail campaign, the 'Strongest Link' search for unsung heroes targeted hockey communities in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Russia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. The initiative ran in these seven countries for six weeks, ending October 1, 2012.
"This campaign grew from the idea that we should turn the spotlight toward those who are such an integral part of what makes hockey such an incredible sport," said Marcus Johnsson, Marketing Manager for Europe at Bauer Hockey. "It was successful and reached so many people because every player understands that their parents, a teammate or – in Henrik's case – a sibling made it possible for them to play hockey and develop."
Each applicant submitted a questionnaire that detailed why their nominee is an unsung hero and how they have gone above and beyond. A panel, which included NHL players and Bauer Hockey partners in each country, reviewed the submissions and determined the winners.
The winners are listed below by country:
Finland Nominator: Juuso Rantanen Nominee: Juha Rantanen
Slovakia Nominator: Nina Taska Nominee: Martin Tasky
Russia Nominator: Konstantin Lomakova Nominee: Marina Lomakova
Germany Nominator: Nico Lassen Nominee: Timo Lassen
Switzerland Nominator: Jann Felber Nominee: Susanne Felber-Leu
Sweden Nominator: Emil Enhörning Nominee: Christian Enhörning
The Czech Republic Nominator: Mathias Hodulak Nominee: Pavel Kysely
ABOUT BAUER HOCKEY Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME, VAPOR and NEXUS lines of products. Bauer Performance Sports, a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, is the parent company of Bauer Hockey, and its affiliated entities own Mission Roller Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse, Cascade Sports and Inaria. For more information, visit Bauer Hockey's website at www.BAUER.com.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Tory Mazzola Global Communications Manager Bauer Hockey Phone: 603-430-2111 x 5908 media@bauer.com
Ovechkin NHL's First Star
Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin on being named the NHL's First Star of the Week.
Ovechkin scored five goals and had eight points in the Capitals four games. He also has a five game goal scoring streak. For the season, Ovechkin ranks tied for sixth in the league with 16 goals in 32 games this season and ranks second on Washington with 31 points.
Stamkos Hits 200!
Congratulations to Steven Stamkos on scoring his 200th career goal. Stamkos is the fourth-youngest player in NHL history to reach this mark.
For the season, Stamkos leads the league in goals with 21 and also has 19 assists for 40 points.
Bauer Hockey on Instagram
Bauer Hockey is now on Instagram. There have been a few false accounts out there, but we wanted to let everyone know that the official BAUER HOCKEY account is http://instagram.com/bauerhockey1927 .
Check out the link and give us a follow today for the latest BAUER HOCKEY images and updates.
Kane Reaches 400, Ovechkin Hits 700
Congratulations to both Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin on reaching two seperate career milestones.
Kane picked up his 400th career point in just his seventh season, and Alex Ovechkin scored his 700th career point during the Capitals 3-2 win against Carolina.
For the season, Kane has 16 goals, 21 assists and 37 points. Ovechkin has 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points.
Bauer Hockey Partners with BCHL as Official Provider of Uniforms, Apparel & Equipment
Elite Junior League Cites Trusted Brand, Player Demands as Contributing Factors
Bauer Hockey, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of ice hockey equipment, announced today that it has become the new official uniform, equipment and apparel provider for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), one of the top junior organizations in North America. This exclusive three-year partnership starting with the 2013-14 season will include uniforms, equipment and apparel for the BCHL's approximately 360 players.
"As one of the premier Junior 'A' leagues in Canada, we're proud to be partnering with Bauer Hockey because they consistently deliver the best quality and performance in hockey equipment and have recently expanded into uniforms," said John Grisdale, who played eight seasons in the NHL and is now Commissioner of the BCHL. "Bauer is a known and trusted brand that is demanded by our elite players, and I'm looking forward to this partnership."
With a storied tradition dating back to 1961, the BCHL currently has 16 teams in the province of British Columbia. This agreement includes 22 players per team, plus an estimated 10 front office staff and volunteers per team and about 40 on-ice officials across the league.
Between 2000 and 2010, 69 players were drafted directly from the BCHL by teams in the NHL, and it is the No. 1 feeder league into college hockey in the United States. Each year the league sends between 100 and 130 graduates on to NCAA and CIS scholarships.
"We're excited about this new opportunity that offers growth for our company as well as the chance to showcase our innovative products in this elite junior league," said Kevin Davis, President and CEO of Bauer Performance Sports. "This exclusive agreement is a significant step forward for our new but growing team apparel program. We are a one-stop shop for associations, teams and leagues with our ability to now provide uniforms as well as high performance equipment."
This agreement includes team uniforms, helmets, visors, sticks, gloves, pants, apparel and bags. Bauer Hockey's new team program provides convenience and consistent branding to its partners and to both youth programs and the most elite level teams around the world.
ABOUT BAUER HOCKEY
Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME, VAPOR and NEXUS lines of products. Bauer Performance Sports, a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, is the parent company of Bauer Hockey, and its affiliated entities own Mission Roller Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse, Cascade Sports and Inaria. For more information, visit Bauer Hockey's website at www.BAUER.com.
ABOUT THE BCHL
The BCHL is in its 51st season of operation and has 16 franchises around the province of B.C. The league is noted for its strong coaching and player development and is heavily scouted every season by evaluators at the college and professional level. This season, there are 28 league graduates playing in the NHL, about 250 others playing collegiate hockey in Canada and the United States along with countless others playing professionally in North America and Europe.
Patrick Kane and Henrik Lundqvist Renew Partnerships with Bauer Hockey
Top NHL All-Stars Continue Exclusive Relationship with World's Leading Hockey Manufacturer
EXETER, NH – February 22, 2013 – Bauer Hockey, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of ice hockey equipment, announced today it has extended its exclusive partnership with Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.
Lundqvist, who earned the 2012 Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, and Kane, who amassed 66 points during the 2011-12 season, will continue to exclusively wear BAUER equipment on ice this season. Both players will also work closely with Bauer Hockey's leading research and development team to assist the company in developing the most advanced hockey equipment in the industry. In addition, both athletes will appear in Bauer Hockey's advertising and marketing efforts including the company's recent "Own The Moment" campaign.
"The decision by Patrick and Henrik to renew their partnerships with Bauer Hockey is a testament to both our industry-leading product as well as the strength of our overall brand," said Kevin Davis, President and CEO of Bauer Performance Sports. "As two of the top players in the world, both players demand the most advanced equipment for their game and both have experienced success while wearing BAUER. Whether it's Patrick winning the Stanley Cup in 2010 or Henrik earning the Vezina last year – we take great pride that both achieved those accomplishments with Bauer Hockey."
Kane, who amassed 369 points in just five seasons since bursting into the league during the 2007-08 season, has become synonymous with the BAUER VAPOR line of products. Kane's swift skating style combined with his crafty stickhandling has been a perfect match for the product that Bauer Hockey describes as the equipment for players looking for the utmost in speed and agility. This season, Kane will be one of the first players in the league to debut the all-new VAPOR APX2 skate, which is scheduled to hit retail stores in April.
"Bauer Hockey is much more than simply an equipment company. I truly look to them as a partner and I wouldn't want to partner with any other brand," Kane said. "I'm excited to continue our partnership and I look forward to several more years working alongside the Bauer Hockey team."
Last season, Lundqvist, posted one of the league's best goals against averages at 1.97 and compiled a .930 save percentage. The Swedish-born netminder became the first goaltender in the NHL to wear the revolutionary BAUER SUPREME TOTALONE goal pads. The pads, which feature interchangeable rods to adjust pad stiffness, debuted with Lundqvist during the 2012 Winter Classic.
"As a goaltender, my equipment is so important and with Bauer Hockey, I know everything is going to perform at the highest possible level and with that confidence I can focus on my game rather than on my equipment," Lundqvist said. "Not only does the product meet my high expectations, but so do all the people that I've come in contact with at the company. The entire organization is a class act and it shows in the attention to detail and service that they provide."
Kane and Lundqvist are part of Bauer Hockey's impressive roster of elite athletes that also includes Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Toews, Tyler Seguin, Ryan Kesler and Eric Staal to name just a few. For a complete list of the Bauer Hockey roster visit the BAUER ATHLETE FEATURE.
ABOUT BAUER HOCKEY Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME, VAPOR and NEXUS lines of products. Bauer Performance Sports, a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and its affiliates are the parent companies of Bauer Hockey, Mission Roller Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse, Cascade Sports and Inaria. For more information, visit Bauer Hockey's website at www.BAUER.com.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Tory Mazzola Global Communications Manager Bauer Hockey Phone: 603-430-2111 x 5908 media@bauer.com
Local Athlete’s Growing List of Achievements Instills Global Inspiration
Bauer Hockey would like to recognize and congratulate Victoria Arlen, an 18-year-old from Exeter, NH, whose achievements already include four medals from the London Paralympics, a world-record in the 100-meter freestyle swim and a spot on the Women's National sled hockey team.
A high school senior, Victoria's growing list of accomplishments includes more than most people will amass in a lifetime, but for her to reach such achievements without the use of her legs is truly inspirational.
NHL.com recently wrote a profile of her accomplished career as a hockey player, swimmer, actress, model and motivational speaker. Don't miss this inspirational must-read story, in which Victoria talks about how the University of New Hampshire's Northeast Passage program helped her develop not only confidence but words to live by: "face it, embrace it, defy it and conquer it."
Bauer Hockey continues to be a proud partner of Northeast Passage, a sled hockey program for youth and adults that serves more than 100 athletes. Five years ago Bauer Hockey helped kick-start the youth program and recently we expanded our partnership as we outfit 40 players with new equipment, including shin pads, shoulder pads, helmets, gloves and roller bags. Read more about Northeast Passage here: http://nepassage.org/
Grow The Game
Kevin Davis, the CEO of Bauer Hockey, recently sat down with USA Hockey Magazine and talked about BAUER's 'Grow The Game' initiative.
Below is an excerpt from the article and a link to the full article.
"In the United States, there is a growing sense of excitement as new programs such as the American Development Model and innovative growth initiatives have put the sport on the right track for growth in the number of players and the quality of their experiences. Add to that another gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, and things are looking up.
In Canada, the birthplace of the game, there seems to be a different feeling as countless articles have popped up in national publications bemoaning a dip in the number of players who are entering the game, to go along with the number of new Canadian families that have not embraced the game as part of their national character.
As a company with its roots firmly anchored on both sides of the border, Bauer Hockey is looking to launch a 10-year global initiative designed to increase hockey participation, with a lofty goal of adding 1 million additional players – on top of current participation growth projections – by 2022."
To continue reading the article visit USA Hockey Magazine.
