National Hockey League's Top Rookie Scorer Signs Multi-Year Deal With World's Leading Hockey Brand

EXETER, N.H., Dec. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bauer Hockey, the world's leading manufacturer of hockey equipment, today announced an official partnership with Winnipeg Jets rookie forward Patrik Laine. A native of Finland, Laine was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft and is currently the top scoring rookie in the league and second overall.

"Patrik is an exciting and dynamic young player who has immediately made an impact on the NHL and the entire hockey community. We are extremely excited to officially welcome him to the Bauer Hockey family," said Mary-Kay Messier, Vice President of Marketing, Bauer Hockey. "As the world's leading hockey brand, we are focused on promoting the sport and the BAUER brand on a global stage and an athlete like Patrik helps us achieve those goals. Patrik is a special player and is an athlete that will have a true global impact for our brand and the game itself for many years to come."

Laine, a 6-5, 205-pound winger, has played in 30 NHL games this year and has scored 17 goals and eight assists for 25 points. At just 18 years old, Laine is one of the youngest players in the league and on October 19, he became the youngest player in Winnipeg franchise history – and the second youngest in the past 30 years – to score a hat trick when he netted three goals against Toronto. Laine also added another hat trick on November 8 with three goals and an assist against Dallas.

Prior to being selected second overall behind fellow BAUER athlete Auston Matthews in this year's NHL draft, Laine played for Tappara in the Finnish Elite League and registered 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points in 46 games. On the international stage, Laine earned a gold medal for Finland at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, a silver medal at the 2016 World Championships and represented Finland in this year's World Cup of Hockey.

Known for his quick shot and incredible release, Laine worked closely with the entire BAUER team to determine that the BAUER VAPOR 1X stick was the best possible stick for his style of play. In addition to the BAUER VAPOR 1X stick, Laine is also currently wearing BAUER VAPOR 1X skates, BAUER VAPOR 1X gloves and the BAUER RE-AKT 100 helmet.

"Everyone at BAUER has been incredible to work with and have really done everything they can to make sure I have the right gear for my game," Laine said. "I wanted to sign a deal with a brand that I knew I can trust and seeing how BAUER took care of me from day one, I knew that I had found the right partner. I am excited to work closely with the entire team and I could not be happier to partner with BAUER as I start my NHL career."

Laine will be featured prominently in upcoming global marketing campaigns for the entire BAUER VAPOR line of products, as well as many regional marketing activities in North America and Finland. Laine joins other top BAUER athletes including Henrik Lundqvist, Alexander Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Jack Eichel 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 Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME®, VAPOR® and NEXUS® lines of products. Performance Sports Group Ltd., the parent company of BAUER, markets products under the BAUER, MISSION, MAVERIK, CASCADE, INARIA, COMBAT and EASTON brand names. For more information about Bauer Hockey, visit www.bauer.com.

SOURCE Bauer Hockey

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