Toronto, ON – Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 – The Canadian Hockey League, in association with Reebok Hockey, announced today the league-wide launch of the Reebok EDGE Uniform System for the top major junior hockey league in the world. Each of the CHL’s 60 teams introduced new home and away EDGE jersey designs for the 2009-10 hockey season.
All 120 jerseys were modeled and on display during three simultaneous announcements from each regional league, providing the QMJHL, OHL, and WHL the opportunity to introduce the new designs to their respective markets.
In addition to the regional announcements, CHL clubs hosted a variety of local events including autograph sessions, open practices, local press conferences, and various community endeavors at which they unveiled their team’s new Reebok EDGE designs.
The Reebok EDGE Uniform System will also be featured during CHL national events including the 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series, and the 2010 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
“The CHL is very excited to launch the new Reebok EDGE Uniform System in all of our markets today,” said CHL President David Branch. “This major undertaking was made possible through the commitment of Reebok who has been a tremendous league partner, and with the hard work of all 60 clubs across the country that helped create each design that will not only enhance the player experience but excite fans across the entire CHL.”
The Reebok EDGE Uniform System
Reebok Hockey’s product development process focuses on providing today’s players with the technology of tomorrow. By upgrading to the Reebok EDGE Uniform System, the CHL joins both the National Hockey League and American Hockey League in the evolution of the game. The NHL and Reebok first launched the system at the 2007 NHL All-Star Game, before going league-wide for the start of the 2007-08 season. “Reebok Hockey proudly welcomes the CHL as part of our EDGE team. Every player in the league will now benefit from the same advantages as the pros with our lightweight, moisture-wicking materials and innovative design,” said Glen Thornborough, VP Global Sports Marketing Reebok-CCM. “These young players are the future of the sport and now have the best products available to them. We’re excited to provide them with the tools needed to advance to the next level.”
Reebok Hockey has been the exclusive jersey provider for the CHL since the 2003-04 season, and in addition to jerseys, the CHL currently uses The Hockey Company products exclusively in the following categories: helmets, gloves, pants, hockey socks, performance underwear, and all under-protective equipment.
Fans can view all 120 brand new Reebok EDGE jersey designs by visiting www.chl.ca and they are all available for purchase online at www.chlshop.ca or by visiting your favourite team’s website. CHL club retailers and www.chlshop.ca will have a one-week exclusive sales opportunity before the new EDGE jerseys will appear in local sports retailers across Canada.
The Ontario Hockey League announcement was made live on Rogers TV and the OHL Action Pak where viewers got to see all 40 of the league's new jerseys with comments from OHL Commissioner David Branch and Reebok's VP of Global Sports Marketing Glen Thornborough. The new Reebok EDGE Uniform System will debut on ice when the Canadian Hockey League season opens this Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, as the defending QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs host the Val d’Or Foreurs. The puck drops on the OHL and WHL seasons the following Thursday, Sept. 17. For complete game schedules visit www.chl.ca.
About the Canadian Hockey League: The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and five American states. The CHL is made up of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League than any other league. Last season 527 graduates attended Canadian Universities on scholarships from CHL teams.
About Reebok: Reebok-CCM Hockey, a subsidiary of the adidas Group, is headquartered in Montreal. With operations in Canada, the United States and Europe, the Company is the world's largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of hockey equipment and related apparel under two of the most recognized hockey brand names: Reebok Hockey and CCM Hockey. Reebok-CCM Hockey equips more professional hockey players than any other company, including superstars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. Reebok-CCM Hockey is also the official outfitter of the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the Canadian Hockey League, the ECHL and several NCAA and national teams.
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