Hey all,

I've known that NHL players are wearing Oakley Visors a ton, as you can see the classic ellipse O on the side of the visor. However, looking into it, I can not find any articles about the partnership between Oakley and (presumably) CCM. I gentleman who works for a hockey website tried telling me that "you should talk to CCM since they own Oakley" whomp whomp they don't.

I was curious if any one knew of any information about it, and if there is a contract between Oakley the NHL, or Oakley and CCM. Was hoping to find some financial news about it.

Thanks chaps!

Oakley bought 1Xcel back in the day and have been using them to make hockey products. There's most certainly likely a supply deal behind the scenes. Two years ago I read an article that said Oakley and Bauer are the leading suppliers of visors to the NHL.

Here's some more information:

"In June 1997, Oakley acquired One Xcel, Inc., a company that designed what the Company believed to be the only optically correct protective face shield available for use with hockey and football, thereby augmenting Oakley’s own patent rights in this area. In 2001, the Company discontinued the One Xcel brand name for football shields and began marketing those products under the Oakley name. The Company transitioned its hockey shield products to the Oakley name in 2002 and also began marketing hockey gloves featuring the Oakley logo. In January 2003, the Company entered into a license agreement with ITech, which subsequently merged with Mission Hockey to become Mission/ITech. The Company’s license agreement with Mission/ITech provides that Mission/ITech may make and sell an “ITech” branded hockey face shield that utilizes Oakley’s patented technology, contingent upon paying Oakley a per-unit royalty. In December 2004, Oakley entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Sport Maska Inc., by which Sport Maska became the Company’s exclusive, worldwide distributor for hockey face shields. The distribution agreement is expected to increase the Company’s exposure in key markets, tap new revenue streams, and allow the Company to focus on its core products. The Company licensed none of its patent rights under its face shield patents to Sport Maska, and will continue to make the Oakley hockey face shields, which it will sell to Sport Maska. The distribution agreement with Sport Maska will run through December 31, 2015. The Company has retained all rights to the use, manufacture, and sale of football shields that utilize its patented technology."


Also, more specifically mentioning the NHL agreement:

"In June 1997, Oakley acquired One Xcel, Inc., a company that designed what the Company believed to be the only optically correct protective face shield available for use with hockey and football helmets. In 2001, the Company discontinued the One Xcel brand name for football shields and began marketing those products under the Oakley name. The Company transitioned its hockey shield products to the Oakley name in 2002 and also began marketing hockey gloves featuring the Oakley logo. Oakley continues to maintain a licensing relationship with the National Hockey League (NHL) for both of these product lines. "

That was back in 2005, don't think they make gloves any more.