SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) — New U.S. tariffs place a 50% duty on certain Canadian imports, with hockey sticks and skates among the equipment affected.
Parents describe rising equipment costs
Christian Botos, a hockey parent, said gear costs have increased significantly since he played as a child.
“So much more expensive from when I was a kid. I remember a couple hundred of bucks would get you all the gear. But now, you’re upwards of a thousand if not more,” Botos said.
Botos said growing children also add to the expense, since skates often only last one or two seasons before needing replacement.
“Between sticks and skates. With skates, the kids are growing so much faster. You’re only wearing them for one or two seasons. Next thing you know it’s time for another pair,” Botos said.
Equipment costs add up per player
Aden Gohm, head equipment manager for the Saginaw Spirit, said outfitting a single player is costly.
“It probably costs between at least one to two-thousand dollars to gear up each player that steps onto the ice,” Gohm said.
Economist says full tariff increase unlikely
Chris Douglas, a professor of economics at the University of Michigan-Flint, said the tariff will not affect most hockey sticks sold in the U.S.
“Only a one-percent or so of hockey sticks are imported from Canada to the US. So the vast majority of hockey sticks that people use will not be subject to the tariff,” Douglas said.
Douglas said a smaller price increase, closer to $50 on a stick, could still affect families, since hockey requires multiple pieces of equipment, including skates, helmets, pads, gloves and sticks, in addition to the cost of ice time.
Botos said the rising cost of the sport is a factor families consider when deciding whether their children will continue to play.
“The cost of playing in general is getting much more. It’s getting to the point where now, do you want them play? Or is there other options?” Botos said.
Experts say a 50% tariff does not mean hockey gear will automatically cost 50% more. How much prices change will depend on how long the tariffs last, and how much of that extra cost manufacturers and retailers pass along to customers.
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