CCM League Deals

[JGraz15 53]

Everyone knows that THC (CCM/ Rbk/Koho) has successfully purchased the rights to be the exclusive supplier from head to shin (sticks included) for both the ECHL and the AHL.

Is there any chance THC would try to land a similar deal with the NHL? Would the NHL or players accept such a deal?

This is all theorectical of course, but if CCM landed a deal like this with the NHL, what would that mean to other manufacturers?

[EBondo 233]

Is there any chance THC would try to land a similar deal with the NHL? Would the NHL or players accept such a deal?

This is all theorectical of course, but if CCM landed a deal like this with the NHL, what would that mean to other manufacturers?

I would hope not, if so, a lot of players would be unhappy.

And, if it did happen, the manufacturers would have to rely on youth hockey players, which would not go too well. I think they would all go bankrupt... :(

[sogaduch 0]

well thc already has every nhl player using there protective gear. the jofa line is the only protective gear that is available to players and also the only company thats allowed to put the nhl crest on there products.Also rbk/thc has the rights for jersys with the nhl,ohl,nba,echl and pretty much other leagues and sports I even think the nfl has rbk jerseys and basketball is either rbk or nike im not positive.

[EBondo 233]

NFL-RbK

NBA-Nike

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Nope, RBK outfits everyone but MLB, which is Majestic. NFL/NBA/NHL.

I'm sure RBK/THC has thought about it, but no way do I see the NHL approving it. THe players would go nuts and it'd kill the industry.

[EBondo 233]

Guess I was wrong...oh well my bad...

[JGraz15 53]

I'm sure RBK/THC has thought about it, but no way do I see the NHL approving it. THe players would go nuts and it'd kill the industry.

Why did the AHL and ECHL approve? Just more revenue for leagues with less exposure?

[sherwood21 0]

Random, but next year I have to use THC stuff. Identical to the deal that THC has with the AHL/CHL, which sucks for me. Doesn't apply to skates, but everything else it does...:(

[JGraz15 53]

What league Sherwood?

[Chadd 916]

well thc already has every nhl player using there protective gear. the jofa line is the only protective gear that is available to players and also the only company thats allowed to put the nhl crest on there products.Also rbk/thc has the rights for jersys with the nhl,ohl,nba,echl and pretty much other leagues and sports I even think the nfl has rbk jerseys and basketball is either rbk or nike im not positive.

Lots of NHL players use non-RBK/THC protective gear.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I'm sure RBK/THC has thought about it, but no way do I see the NHL approving it.  THe players would go nuts and it'd kill the industry.

Why did the AHL and ECHL approve? Just more revenue for leagues with less exposure?

Money was a part of it, and it does make equipment managers' lives easier when it comes to ordering. However, the players have gone on record opposing the deal - I'm surprised the PHPA hasn't tried anything.

[chippa13 1844]

well thc already has every nhl player using there protective gear. the jofa line is the only protective gear that is available to players and also the only company thats allowed to put the nhl crest on there products.Also rbk/thc has the rights for jersys with the nhl,ohl,nba,echl and pretty much other leagues and sports I even think the nfl has rbk jerseys and basketball is either rbk or nike im not positive.

You might want to check your info. Jofa isn't the only protective available to NHL players. Yes, a few years ago they had the only approved elbow pad but that was it.

[sherwood21 0]

What league Sherwood?

Prep School, MPHL, but play lots of Connecticut/NH teams.

[sogaduch 0]

well thc already has every nhl player using there protective gear. the jofa line is the only protective gear that is available to players and also the only company thats allowed to put the nhl crest on there products.Also rbk/thc has the rights for jersys with the nhl,ohl,nba,echl and pretty much other leagues and sports I even think the nfl has rbk jerseys and basketball is either rbk or nike im not positive.

You might want to check your info. Jofa isn't the only protective available to NHL players. Yes, a few years ago they had the only approved elbow pad but that was it.

ok 99% of players wear rbk/jofa protective as per the jofa website

[Duder84 0]

I don't know...99% still seems kinda high...

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

It's actually 99% wear at least one piece of Jofa equipment.

Most of them are shins and elbows.

It's true - I've done up an NHL locker room.

[Jason Harris 31]

I don't think the NHLPA would ever let it happen, yet I don't think it would kill the industry as much as some suggest.

One question I'm often asked is, "Who's using your equipment?" The inference is if somebody in the NHL is using it, the equipment must be good. Or, to look at it another way, if four players start skating with cement blocks and are in the Top 10 in scoring, guys will buy cement blocks in the hopes they too might become better scorers.

But if EVERYBODY is forced to use the same equipment, the question of "Who's using your equipment?" becomes invalid. Indeed, I think it actually dilutes the impact. I think buyers would start to buy more on merit, and less on what their heroes use.

[Pats 0]

In Major Junior all of the teams in the CHL have the THC deal, but it doesn't apply to sticks as each team is responsible for their own.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Jason - yes, you are right, BUT you cannot deny the fact that the NHL is a big marketing tool when it comes to equipment. Unfortunately, too many people buy stuff based on who is wearing it. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be like that, but it is. ESPECIALLY when it comes to kids.

[sogaduch 0]

It's actually 99% wear at least one piece of Jofa equipment.

Most of them are shins and elbows.

It's true - I've done up an NHL locker room.

i apologize i should have been more specific, i assumed alot of the pros would be wearing jofa everything. id laugh if some guys wear the sher-wood 5030 traditional shoulder pads and elbow pads

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

...they do. In the Nashville locker room a few guys had the Bauer version of the donut elbow pads, and lace-up shoulder pads.

[Chadd 916]

I know Scott Parker was wearing the old green and black Bauer shoulders when he was in the AHL and as far as I know kept them in the AHL. Not everyone wears overly protective pads.

[Jason Harris 31]

Jason - yes, you are right, BUT you cannot deny the fact that the NHL is a big marketing tool when it comes to equipment. Unfortunately, too many people buy stuff based on who is wearing it. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be like that, but it is. ESPECIALLY when it comes to kids.

I agree, JR.

I don't know how many retailers I've spoken to who have said they think certain smaller brands offer the best value for a particular product segment, but they can't convince the buyer to consider another brand outside the The Big Three (Or Four or Five...). Unfortunately, over time, the retailer has to cut his losses and stop carrying the gloves by ABC, even though he thinks ABC's gloves at $69 are way better than The Big Three at $85.

[sherwood21 0]

I know Scott Parker was wearing the old green and black Bauer shoulders when he was in the AHL and as far as I know kept them in the AHL. Not everyone wears overly protective pads.

...case in point, Tomas Holmstrom.

I know a guy who plays in the dub who wears flak lace up shouldies, not a seasoned vet but still...

[Chadd 916]

Jason - yes, you are right, BUT you cannot deny the fact that the NHL is a big marketing tool when it comes to equipment.  Unfortunately, too many people buy stuff based on who is wearing it.  In a perfect world, it wouldn't be like that, but it is.  ESPECIALLY when it comes to kids.

I agree, JR.

I don't know how many retailers I've spoken to who have said they think certain smaller brands offer the best value for a particular product segment, but they can't convince the buyer to consider another brand outside the The Big Three (Or Four or Five...). Unfortunately, over time, the retailer has to cut his losses and stop carrying the gloves by ABC, even though he thinks ABC's gloves at $69 are way better than The Big Three at $85.

I get that a lot from the kids who want Eagles. I put a pair of old X46s on one hand and Mission L7s on the other and he said the Eagles felt much more comfortable. Then I had him close his eyes and put two different gloves on his hands and asked what felt better. He said "the eagles", bear in mind he wasn't wearing eagle on either hand and still had his eyes closed.