We haven't had this kind of day in a long time. It's the middle of July, officially, and while the Wings named their assistant coach and the Predators signed Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro, the balance of the day's stories have played out as follows:
The NHL also sent out this press release:
NHL LAUNCHES 2014-15 CONSUMER PRODUCTS SEASON WITH NHL EXCHANGE
LICENSED PRODUCTS & RETAIL TRADE SHOW AT DENVER’S PEPSI CENTERColorado Avalanche Home Arena to Host NHL Trade Show on July 22-23
NHL and Licensees to Unveil Donation to Gabby Krause Foundation as NHL Legacy Initiative
NEW YORK (July 15, 2014) – Just one month after the conclusion of an award-winning and record-setting 2013-14 season, the National Hockey League will launch its 2014-15 consumer products season with the annual NHL Exchange™ licensed products and retail trade show on July 22-23 at Pepsi Center, home of the Colorado Avalanche®, in Denver.
More than 100 exhibitors will showcase new NHL®-branded products for U.S and Canadian marketplaces set for 2014-15 in the house and home, gifts and novelties, toys and games, and accessories categories during the two-day trade show. This marks the largest collection of NHL-licensed products and will assemble NHL licensees, retailers and sales representatives from all 30 Member Clubs to explore emerging consumer product and retail trends for the fall.
Reebok, 47 Brand, Franklin Sports and Wincraft are among the longtime NHL licensees with booths at the 2014 NHL Exchange. They will be joined by recent licensees OYO Sportstoys; newly-signed Allbobbleheads, Art N’ Stone and Cryptozoic Entertainment; and many others that will preview their NHL-branded merchandise lines.
As part of the NHL’s Legacy Initiative and philanthropic endeavor to support a community organization in the host city of an NHL event, the League, in conjunction with the Colorado Avalanche Foundation and its licensees, will make a product donation to the Gabby Krause Foundation in support of its signature Bags of Fun project. NHL-licensed products donated by Northwest, Wincraft, Pangea, Roxo, Swannys and Trends International will be included in more than 400 Bags of Fun backpacks that will be distributed to young patients at Denver-area hospitals.
“The NHL Exchange has proven to be a successful forum for our licensees, retailers and club merchants to showcase their enthusiasm for the NHL brand in products that will boost fan engagement at all levels,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President. “We’re thrilled to be able to extend these valuable partnerships into the community to support the Gabby Krause Foundation’s Bags of Fun initiative.”
The NHL completed an impressive 2013-14 season in merchandise sales, driven by strong jersey and electronic games sales as well as a robust season of marquee events, including the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™, 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ and 2014 Stanley Cup® Playoffs. Los Angeles Kings® 2014 Stanley Cup Champion apparel and headwear bested sales from their 2012 victory by 18%. Shop.NHL.com, the NHL’s official online store, experienced an 84% sales surge from last season and 12% increase from 2012. The NHL Powered by Reebok Store flagship store in New York City saw a 26% lift from 2013.
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
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