Franklin Sports and the National Hockey
League (NHL) are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Franklin NHL Street
Hockey Gear with a multi-year license renewal to continue the global
partnership that has made Franklin the category leader in street hockey
gear.

The announcement was made today by NHL Executive Vice President of
Marketing Brian Jennings and Senior Product Manager John Purciello at the
2011 NHL Exchange licensed products and retail trade show inside the Air
Canada Centre in Toronto.

“We are delighted to continue our strong relationship with the NHL,”
said Larry J. Franklin, president of Franklin Sports. “Street hockey
exploded when we joined forces in the nineties, and the sport is a
tremendous, low-cost way for kids to stay active, and enjoy the sport. We
take great pride in our role as the Official Street Hockey Gear of the NHL.”

“For more than 20 years, Franklin Sports has been a tremendous
partner in helping introduce the sport of hockey to children of all ages
and backgrounds,” said Jennings. “As we further our efforts to grow the
game and promote physical activities through hockey, Franklin Sports will
continue to play an integral role in our grassroots initiatives.

During the 2010-11 NHL season, approximately 250,000 youths in more
than 1,600 schools and community centers across North America took part in
the NHL’s grassroots street hockey programming. Street hockey serves as a
great introduction to the sport of hockey and the NHL, as players become
fans.

The continuing popularity of street hockey was in evidence in March
when First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the first-ever street hockey game in
the driveway of the White House featuring members of the 2010 Stanley Cup
champion Chicago Blackhawks facing off against third and fourth graders
from Powell Elementary School as part of the White Houses Let’s Move!
initiative. The event kicked off the NHL and USA Hockeys collaboration to
help promote the goals of Let’s Move! and the Presidential Active Lifestyle
Award to encourage healthy eating and regular physical activities through
the sport of hockey.

Last summer, the NHL donated street hockey equipment and apparel to
help launch the first NHL Street Hockey League at Camp Victory in Baghdad,
Iraq. The donation was in conjunction with UPS and the U.S. Army in
celebration of the U.S. Armys 235th anniversary.