Colorado Springs, Colo. — Labatt Blue, the number-three imported beer in the United States, is ready to hit the ice with the joint announcement of a three-year exclusive sponsorship of USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine.
USA Hockey is the National Governing Body for the sport of hockey in the United States, representing more than 80,000 men’s and women’s adult members playing as part of teams and tournaments across the country. This portion of USA Hockey’s overall membership now will be officially recognized as Labatt Blue USAdult Hockey. The sponsorship also provides Labatt Blue with a seat on the bench of the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams, which compete in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships each season.
Together USA Hockey and Labatt Blue will promote the growth of adult hockey in America and provide the best possible experience for all participants by advancing the sport and serving as the title sponsor of the Labatt Blue USAdult National Championships, the country’s premier adult ice hockey championships. Labatt Blue is already a major force in league support and organized adult hockey tournaments, and the combination of resources with USA Hockey will benefit adult players at the local, regional and national levels. As a proud sponsor of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Labatt Blue will serve as the official beer of all USA Hockey-specific events through marketing and communications initiatives as the teams advance to the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
According to Devin Kelly, director of Canadian brands, ‘Labatt Blue’s sponsorship of USA Hockey signifies a continuation of our commitment to the world of hockey and its dedicated membership. Whether the true hockey experience takes place at the local rink or at major international competitions, Labatt Blue is proud to be part of the team.’
North American sponsorship elements include designation as the Official Beer Sponsor of USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine, rights to their marks, and inclusion of the Labatt Blue logo in specific USA Hockey communications.
Additional joint marketing efforts will include www.labattblue.com and www.usahockey.com, as well as American Hockey Magazine and all relevant collateral and print publications. Teams included in the sponsorship are USA Hockey-registered adult teams, USA Hockey InLine-registered adult teams, U.S. Men’s & Women’s National Teams, the USA Hockey Women’s Team that will train for the 2006 Winter Games, and the USA Hockey InLine National Team. Tournaments include the Labatt Blue USAdult Hockey Classic series, Labatt Blue USAdult National Championships and the Labatt Blue USA Hockey InLine Cup.
‘Labatt Blue and USA Hockey share a similar goal: to grow and build excitement around the best adult hockey programs in the world,’ said Doug Palazzari (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USA Hockey Executive Director. ‘Working together we will offer unprecedented benefits for our membership at the grassroots level. Labatt Blue has always been a brand close to the adult hockey community through its roots, recreational programs and sponsorships. This partnership will bring the brand closer than ever to thousands of hockey enthusiasts nationwide, while allowing USA Hockey to significantly enhance the quality of our program offerings.’
Contact:
Chuck Menke
Director, Media & Public Relations
E-mail: chuckm@usahockey.org
Phone: +1 719 576 8724
Fax: +1 719 538 1160