Photos from the Press Conference:
All Photos ©Cheryl Nichols Photography/CapsNewsNetwork
New Voice of Washington Capitals John Walton
Alex Ovechkin speaking to media
CEO Bauer Hockey Kevin Davis
Caps Care donated $25,000 to Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association
Ovechkin, Davis and George McPhee with the kids from PVAHA
Alex offered up his stool to Ted Leonsis and Ted declined
Ovi and Ted
Bauer equipment in front of stage and podium
Bauer skates
Official Press Release:
ALEX OVECHKIN SIGNS LONG-TERM
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH BAUER HOCKEY
Capitals Captain Also Teams Up with Leading Manufacturer to Donate Equipment to Youth Programs in Washington and Moscow to Encourage Participation
WASHINGTON – September 6, 2011 – Bauer Performance Sports (TSX: BAU) and Bauer Hockey, Inc. today announced that Washington Capitals star captain Alex Ovechkin has joined the company’s roster of athletes, becoming the latest elite player to ink an official endorsement deal with the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of hockey equipment. Ovechkin has signed a long-term deal with the company and will exclusively wear Bauer on-ice equipment beginning this season.
Bauer Hockey and Ovechkin have also teamed up to donate 108 sets of equipment to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex and the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association in Washington as well as 108 sets of equipment to the Dynamo Hockey School in Alex’s hometown of Moscow, Russia.
“I am very excited to play with Bauer. This is a great step forward for me as a player,” Ovechkin said. “I’m also very pleased to work with Bauer to give back to kids in Washington and Russia because that is very important to me and my family.”
Considered by many as the most exciting player in hockey, Ovechkin has scored 301 goals and 313 assists in just 475 career NHL games. The Capitals captain has earned the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player twice in his six-year career and has also led the league in goals in two separate seasons, taking home the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2008 and 2009. Ovechkin also earned the Art Ross Trophy for the league’s top-point scorer in 2008 with 112 points, the Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie) in 2006, and has earned the Ted Lindsay Award (formerly the Lester B. Pearson Award) as the league’s Most Outstanding Player three times (2008, 2009, 2010). The 25-year-old is also the only player in league history to be named to the NHL First All-Star Team in each of his first five seasons.
Ovechkin will be featured in Bauer Hockey’s global advertising efforts, including the soon-to-be unveiled Bauer Vapor APX stick campaign. In addition, as an icon in his hometown of Moscow, Ovechkin will play a key role in Bauer Hockey’s overall growth strategy in the expanding Russian and Eastern European markets.
“Alex is obviously one of the greatest players to ever play the game and has an unparalleled passion, commitment and desire to win,” said Kevin Davis, President and Chief Executive Office, Bauer Hockey. “There are very few athletes in any sport that have his ability to influence players throughout the world and he will be an instrumental partner for us as we look to expand our business in key emerging markets.”
In addition to his significant marketing presence, Ovechkin will also work closely with Bauer’s product development team to provide insight and feedback into future product direction. Ovechkin joins an already-impressive roster of Bauer athletes that includes teammate Nicklas Backstrom as well as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, Henrik Lundqvist, Eric Staal, Mike Richards and Ryan Kessler to name just a few.
For more information, visit
www.Bauer.com
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 developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful Supreme ® and Vapor ® lines of products. Bauer Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse and Mission Roller Hockey are brands under Bauer Performance Sports, a publically traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BAU).
ABOUT BAUER PERFORMANCE SPORTS
Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. (TSX: BAU) is a leading developer and manufacturer of ice hockey, roller hockey, and lacrosse equipment as well as related apparel. The company has the most recognized and strongest brand in the ice hockey equipment industry, and holds the top market share position in both ice and roller hockey. Its products are marketed under the Bauer Hockey, Mission Roller Hockey and Maverik Lacrosse brand names and are distributed by sales representatives and independent distributors throughout the world. Bauer Performance Sports is focused on building its leadership position and growing market share in all product categories through continued innovation at every level.
www.bauerperformancesports.com
