Canadian tariffs target hockey sticks, potentially impacting many Vermonters’ wallets
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. —
President Donald Trump’s new wave of Canadian tariffs targets hockey sticks, potentially impacting many Vermonters’ wallets.
“[As] the person who purchases it, it seems like they break at exactly 31 to 32 days,” said parent Randy Barnes.
Barnes buys new hockey sticks for his son, Remy, monthly.
“There are times when he’s skating, and I think, ‘Oh God, please let him break his arm, not his stick,'” Barnes said.
Even with the looming potential of sticks becoming more expensive, Barnes said he has no other option.
“It’s going to hurt for sure,” Barnes said. “But if they’re $20 a stick more, just like if it’s 20 cents a gallon more, what choice do I have?”
“I’ll just not buy the newest, greatest stuff,” said Remy Barnes, a local hockey player. “Just the ones I’ve usually been using.”
Barnes said his favorite brand is CCM, which is sold at Kevin Smith Sports in South Burlington.
Owner Kevin Smith said his business is not currently affected by tariffs because most of the manufacturers he works with have warehouses in the United States.
“This is our first experience with tariffs, to be honest with you, in 40 years,” Smith said.
Smith said he feels manufacturers are focusing less on ways for hockey to expand. He worries the president’s recent tariffs will discourage new people from trying the sport.
“Since COVID has hit, and the tariffs have come, they’ve sort of put that on the back burner, and we’re not growing,” Smith said. “We’re not spending the time and making it more affordable to get new kids into hockey.”
Smith’s advice to customers is to shop for sticks now and throughout the summer.
“That’s when all the sticks are getting changed over,” Smith said. “That’s when you see a lot of the skates and sticks and protective gear on sale.”
The new tariffs are expected to go into effect at the end of August.