CCM announced that it would be donating 500,000 masks to frontline healthcare workers Wednesday morning.
The popular hockey equipment manufacturer is teaming up with its roster of endorsees to help protect Canadian doctors and nurses on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ovechkin was one of 28 different male and female hockey players, including such as stars like Sidney Crosby, Filip Forsberg, and Kendall Coyne Schofield, to contribute to the donation.
“By teaming up with our roster of CCM athletes, we will be able to play a role in the collaborative effort to get past this crisis,” said Rick Blackshaw, CEO of CCM Hockey. “We focused on the best use of our network and our resources to have the quickest impact. Sourcing greatly needed equipment through our established supply chain partners in Asia is the most efficient way for us to support and keep our real heroes safe.”
CCM, based in Montreal, is in the process of getting this protective equipment from its partners that normally collaborate in the production of CCM hockey gear.
Ovechkin has been a longtime supporter and partner of CCM. The hockey manufacturer has provided equipment for The Great 8 for the majority of his career, including as a rookie and his early years in the NHL. After signing a six-year deal with Bauer in 2011, Ovechkin returned to CCM in 2018 and won a Stanley Cup using its equipment.
CCM joins Bauer in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Two weeks ago, Bauer announced that it was repurposing its facilities to make face shields for medical professionals.
Ovi has tried to help during these trying times in other ways too. He’s thanked healthcare professionals on social media and urged his English and Russian-language followers to stay inside.
Ovechkin was also one of the first NHL players to speak to the media in a Zoom teleconference including the New Jersey Devils’ PK Subban, the New York Islanders’ Anders Lee, and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Nick Foligno.
“The most important thing is to take care of yourself, take care of your family, friends. Help each other,” Ovechkin said during the call. “Just be safe. Right now it is a hard time. We all miss you… right now we are together and we have to fight through it together.”
CCM Hockey, its women professional players and NHL Players Donate 500,000 Surgical Masks to Fight COVID-19. CCM Hockey is partnering with CCM Pros to help protect frontline healthcare workers
Montreal, Quebec, April 8, 2020 – CCM Hockey, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of hockey equipment and related apparel, and its NHL endorsee roster will donate 500,000 surgical masks to protect healthcare workers on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus.
The Montreal-based company is in the process of procuring this protective equipment from its established network of partners that normally collaborate in the production of CCM hockey gear. CCM will arrange for transport and is coordinating with government authorities to ensure the protective medical gear is distributed to Canadian healthcare workers as early as the week of April 27th.
“By teaming up with our roster of CCM athletes, we will be able to play a role in the collaborative effort to get past this crisis,” said Rick Blackshaw, CEO of CCM Hockey. “We focused on the best use of our network and our resources to have the quickest impact. Sourcing greatly needed equipment through our established supply chain partners in Asia is the most efficient way for us to support and keep our real heroes safe,” added Mr. Blackshaw.
ALL OUT for health care workers
This donation is made possible thanks to a partnership between CCM Hockey and the CCM Pros where the players’ are contributing to the CCM donation. Players: Mat Barzal, Patrice Bergeron, Brock Boeser, Dani Cameranesi, Brandon Carlo, Thomas Chabot, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Sidney Crosby, Melodie Daoust, Alex Debrincat, Brianna Decker, Matt Duchene, Matt Dumba, Marc-Andre Fleury, Filip Forsberg, Jake Gardiner, Miro Heiskanen, Filip Hronek, Jonathan Huberdeau, Seth Jones, Nathan Mackinnon, Charlie McAvoy, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, Artemi Panarin, Carey Price, Vladimir Tarasenko, and John Tavares are eager to support health professionals in communities.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
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