SP Apparel Continues As Exclusive ECHL Jersey Supplier

Published on February 5, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced on Thursday that SP Apparel, Inc. will be one of two exclusive jersey suppliers for the ECHL for the next three years. Beginning with the 2004-05 season, SP Apparel, Inc. will provide ECHL teams with authentic and replica jerseys.

"The ECHL is excited about the extension of our relationship with SP Apparel," said Glen Thornborough, Vice President of Marketing/Sales. "SP will remain in the ECHL Jersey Program for the next three seasons as a result of their commitment to providing ECHL teams with quality product and exemplary service."

"We are proud to extend our partnership with the ECHL," said Marc Beaudoin, Director of Sales and Marketing for SP Apparel, Inc. "We are looking forward to providing the ECHL with new and exciting designs."

The ECHL Board of Governors approved the ECHL Jersey Program at its Mid-Season Meeting. Teams will continue to negotiate individual contracts and to partner with the jersey manufacturer that they feel best accommodates the needs of their team.

SP Apparel receives on-ice representation and has the right to produce authentic, replica and third jerseys for ECHL teams to be sold in ECHL arenas and in retail.

SP Apparel provided the authentic and replica jerseys for the 2004 Par-A-Dice ECHL All-Star Game, and provided the authentic, replica and third jerseys for Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Florida, Johnstown, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pensacola, Peoria, San Diego, Trenton, and Wheeling in 2003-04.


About SP Apparel, Inc.

SP Apparel, Inc. is a privately-owned company located near Montreal in Granby, Quebec. SP Apparel is a world leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of team jerseys for all sports. It currently is the exclusive supplier to the American Hockey League and premier manufacturer to World teams, NCAA schools, and junior teams.


About ECHL

Began in 1988 with five teams in three states, the ECHL has 31 teams in 17 states playing a record 1,116 games, making it the largest league in professional hockey. The ECHL welcomed nine new markets for 2003-04, including six from the former West Coast Hockey League, with the addition of the Alaska Aces, the Bakersfield Condors, the Fresno Falcons, the Gwinnett (Georgia) Gladiators, the Idaho (Boise) Steelheads, the Las Vegas Wranglers, the Long Beach Ice Dogs, the San Diego Gulls, and the Texas (Beaumont) Wildcatters. There have been 236 ECHL players that have advanced to the NHL, including 21 in 2003-04 that have made their first NHL appearance since playing in the ECHL. There were 53 former ECHL players on NHL opening-day rosters, surpassing the record of 50 players set in 2002-03. The ECHL has affiliations with 21 of the 30 teams in the NHL in 2003-04 and there has been an ECHL player on each of the 30 NHL teams in 2003-04. There are former ECHL coaches behind the bench on 14 of the 28 AHL teams, and the ECHL has affiliation agreements with 21 of the 28 teams in the AHL in 2003-04.

ECHL Stories from February 5, 2004

• Gladiators Win Second Straight, knock off Charlotte 5-4 - Atlanta Gladiators
• Green Becomes 237th ECHL Player In NHL - ECHL
• ECHL Transactions - ECHL
• Cloutier Recalled to Houston Aeros - Louisiana IceGators
• Koenig Named Sun National Bank ECHL Saver of the Month - San Diego Gulls
• Condors Acquire Defenseman Pelikovsky - Bakersfield Condors
• Lynx Announce Four Games On AM 1340 for Remainder of Season - Augusta Lynx
• Lynx to Host Great Skate Debate - Augusta Lynx
• Lynx Get Obara - Augusta Lynx
• Rivermen to Host Ameren Cilco Night on Friday, February 13 - Peoria Rivermen
• Gators Announce the Return of $2 Beer Night - Louisiana IceGators
• Aces acquire help up front - Alaska Aces
• February 24 CAT Racing Scott Wimmer Appearance Postponed - Peoria Rivermen
• SP Apparel Continues As Exclusive ECHL Jersey Supplier - ECHL
• Five Former ECHL Players In AHL All-Star Game - ECHL
• San Diego's Koenig Named Sun National Bank ECHL Saver of the Month - ECHL
• Belitski earns call-up to AHL - Roanoke Express
• Today In The ECHL - ECHL
• Checkers Make Player Moves - Charlotte Checkers
• Titans Hold Off Falcons 3-2 - Trenton Devils
• Ice Dogs Fall to Wranglers, 4-1 - Long Beach Ice Dogs
• J.F. Plourde Suspended for 3 Games - Columbus Cottonmouths
• Third Period Rally Ultimately Falls Short - Fresno Falcons

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