Canadian made contentment (Ccm) are the world’s leading provider of hockey equipment. Established in Canada back in 1913, the company have branched out into the UK in the 1960s and eventually expanded internationally, with production hubs located across Europe and Asia. So, it would be fair to say that the growth of this company is truly exceptional.
As well as manufacturing and selling hockey gear, Ccm also have an inhouse team of designers who create all of the bespoke products for the company. The company are committed to creating unique products which allow players to express their individuality. For example, they have an entire sub-brand dedicated to creating skate designs for children called ‘Hey Rookie’. The company are dedicated to creating products which allow players to improve their game. This includes products which enhance their performance on the ice as well as products designed to prevent them from getting injured.
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The UK Is A Big Market For Ccm
With the NHL and the UK’s own professional league, the EIHL, being openly sponsored by brands like J&J and P&P, it’s no surprise that the popularity of hockey in the UK is on the rise. According to figures from Hitwise, an industry benchmarking company, UK Google searches for “hockey equipment” hit an all-time high in the third quarter of 2018.
What’s more is that UK-based companies, such as Ccm, are benefiting from the country’s growing appetite for sports gear and equipment. Overall, retail sales of sports equipment and accessories in the UK are anticipated to hit £4.5 billion by next year.
The UK government has also promoted hockey as an “extreme sport” and worked with the game’s governing body, the Ice Hockey Sports Association, to make it an “additional medal option” for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. As a result, British ice hockey fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
Hockey Is A Global Game
With the world’s best player heading to the ice on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that hockey is one of the first sports that people think of when they hear the words ‘Winter Olympics’. The popularity of the game is truly global, with markets like Asia and South America also producing top-class graduates to play at an elite level.
With the number of professional leagues growing around the world, the competition is getting stiffer as more and more clubs are vying for fan loyalty. One of the results of this is that players are having to put in more and more hours on the ice in order to improve their game. This is putting a strain on the bodies of the players, with many succumbing to injuries that they probably won’t recover from. It’s important to note here that the nature of the sport ensures that the players are always going to be putting their bodies on the line and there will always be the risk of injury.
More Than Meets The Eye
The above points out two very important things. Firstly, we should never, ever take for granted the exceptional talent that is present in every walk of life. Secondly, the risks that are inherent in any sport, be it a physically demanding one or one that involves a higher degree of skill, should never be ignored. The fact of the matter is that hockey is a relatively safe sport compared to many others, with the rate of serious injuries falling dramatically over the past 40 years. This is presumably down to hockey’s international popularity and the fact that the sport has been around for longer than many of its counterparts. While there is always a risk of injury on the pitch, the good thing about hockey is that a lot of the time, it is survivable. There are also plenty of opportunities to play the game in a non-contact manner, perfect for those who want to stay injury-free.
If you’re thinking of giving hockey a go, the above should point you in the right direction. From the equipment to the culture, it’s clear that this is a sport that is determined to grow in popularity both here in the UK and around the world.