Bauer Hockey
A major ice hockey equipment brand producing skates, sticks, protective equipment, helmets, apparel and goaltending gear.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Bauer Hockey is a North American sporting-goods brand specializing in ice hockey equipment, with additional activities in recreational skating and, historically, baseball and softball equipment. The business is best known for its player and goaltender products, particularly skates, sticks, helmets, gloves and protective gear. Its equipment is sold through specialty hockey retailers, sporting-goods channels and professional, amateur and youth hockey programs across North America and international markets. The brand’s corporate origins trace to the Bauer family’s skate-making operations in Kitchener, Ontario. Canada Skate Manufacturing Company was established in 1934 and manufactured ice skates at the Western Shoe factory. Bauer became an early pioneer in producing hockey skates in which the boot and blade were designed and made as an integrated product. The brand gained additional visibility through prominent players and through the development of skate-holder technology, especially the TUUK system. Bauer’s ownership history has been unusually eventful. Roy Bauer sold the associated companies to Greb Industries in 1965. Greb was subsequently absorbed into Warrington Products, whose acquisitions expanded the company’s manufacturing and component capabilities, including the purchase of Tuuk Sports in 1981. The business was reorganized under Canstar Sports in the late 1980s and became a wholly owned Nike subsidiary in 1995. From 2006, products were marketed under the Nike Bauer name, combining Nike’s corporate identity with the established Bauer designation. Nike sold the business to Roustan Inc. and Kohlberg & Co. in 2008, after which it returned to the Bauer name. The owners created Bauer Performance Sports, which became a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2011. Bauer later operated within Performance Sports Group, whose financial distress led to bankruptcy proceedings in 2016. Bauer’s assets were acquired in 2017 by interests associated with Sagard Capital Partners and Fairfax Financial Holdings and placed within Peak Achievement Athletics. Bauer Hockey LLC was newly organized in Delaware as the operating company. The modern Bauer portfolio includes player skates, composite and other hockey sticks, helmets, gloves, pants, shoulder and elbow pads, shin guards, protective undergarments, footwear, apparel and goalie equipment. Its skate technologies remain central to the brand, while its stick and protective-equipment lines extend the brand across nearly every major on-ice category. Bauer also acquired Swedish skate-sharpening specialist ProSharp in 2021, adding equipment and services connected with skate preparation. Bauer remains an active international hockey brand under Peak Achievement Athletics, with Fairfax becoming the sole owner of Peak Achievement in 2024 according to the cited reference material.
History
Bauer’s history begins in Ontario’s footwear and skate-manufacturing industry. The Western Shoe Company was formed in Kitchener in 1906, and the Bauer family later established Canada Skate Manufacturing Company in 1934 to produce ice skates. Bauer developed an integrated hockey skate in which the blade was permanently attached to the boot, an approach that helped distinguish the brand in the growing hockey-equipment market. Distribution used Bauer-related companies in Canada and the United States. The brand benefited from player endorsements and from the visibility of prominent hockey figures. Bobby Bauer, a Hockey Hall of Fame player connected to the Bauer family, helped raise the name’s profile, while later endorsement relationships included Bobby Hull and notable players from the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. During the 1970s, adoption of TUUK blade technology by prominent players helped establish a foundation for Bauer’s later skate-holder business. In 1965, Roy Bauer sold the associated Bauer companies to Greb Industries. Greb was acquired by Warrington Products in 1974 and became part of a broader consumer-products group. Warrington expanded its manufacturing and component portfolio through acquisitions involving Gamebridge, Caber Italia, Icaro Olivieri and Tuuk Sports. In 1980, Greb merged into Warrington; the group later reorganized its athletic-shoe and skate operations under Canstar Sports Group. Canstar was acquired by Icaro Olivieri and associated investors in 1988. The company continued developing skate technology, including a perforated TUUK chassis introduced in 1994 that reduced weight while improving durability. In 1995, Nike purchased Canstar and made it a wholly owned subsidiary. The business was renamed Nike Bauer Hockey in 1995, and from 2006 products prominently used the Nike Bauer name. Nike sold the company in 2008 to Roustan Inc. and Kohlberg & Co. The business became Bauer Hockey Corp. and later operated through Bauer Performance Sports, which completed a Toronto Stock Exchange offering in 2011. In 2014, Bauer expanded beyond hockey by purchasing Easton Diamond from Riddell, adding baseball and softball equipment to the wider sports portfolio. Bauer Performance Sports changed its name to Performance Sports Group in 2014. Performance Sports Group filed for bankruptcy in 2016. In 2017, Bauer’s assets were sold to interests associated with Sagard Capital Partners and Fairfax Financial Holdings and transferred to Peak Achievement Athletics. Bauer Hockey LLC was organized in Delaware as the operating company, while Peak Achievement became the group structure for Bauer’s activities. Bauer acquired ProSharp in 2021, broadening its involvement in skate sharpening. Fairfax’s ownership interest increased over time, and in 2024 it agreed to acquire Sagard’s remaining interest, making Fairfax the sole owner of Peak Achievement according to the available reference material.
- 2024
Fairfax moves toward sole ownership
[1]Fairfax agreed to acquire Sagard’s stake in Peak Achievement Athletics.
- 2021
ProSharp acquired
[1]Bauer acquired Swedish skate-sharpening company ProSharp AB.
- 2017
Peak Achievement structure established
[1]Following Performance Sports Group’s bankruptcy, Bauer’s assets were acquired and placed within Peak Achievement Athletics.
- 2014
Expansion into baseball and softball
[1]Bauer purchased Easton Diamond from Riddell, expanding the portfolio beyond hockey.
- 2011
Bauer Performance Sports goes public
[1]Bauer Performance Sports completed an offering and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange as BAU.
- 2008
Nike sells Bauer
[1]Nike sold the company to Roustan Inc. and Kohlberg & Co.; the business returned to the Bauer name.
- 2006
Nike Bauer product branding introduced
[1]Products began using the combined Nike Bauer name, including the Supreme One90 launch.
- 1995
Nike acquires Canstar
[1]Canstar became a wholly owned Nike subsidiary and was renamed Nike Bauer Hockey.
- 1994
Perforated TUUK chassis introduced
[1]Bauer began producing a perforated TUUK chassis intended to make skates lighter and more durable.
- 1988
Canstar ownership begins
[1]The struggling Warrington business was acquired and renamed Canstar Sports.
Products and positioning
Performance-oriented hockey equipment brand emphasizing skate engineering, fit, protection, durability and products designed for professional, amateur, youth and recreational players.
Skates · 1934
Bauer ice hockey skates
Bauer’s core product category includes performance skates for professional, amateur, youth and recreational players. The company’s skate heritage includes integrated boot-and-blade construction and TUUK holder technology. Bauer’s Supreme, Vapor and Nexus families have served different fit and performance preferences across the market.
Sticks
Bauer hockey sticks
Bauer produces modern hockey sticks for players at different levels, including composite models designed around differences in release, flex, handling and shooting characteristics. Stick offerings complement the brand’s skate and protective-equipment ranges and are marketed to both competitive and recreational players.
Protection
Bauer helmets and protective equipment
The protective portfolio includes helmets, gloves, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads and shin guards. Bauer also makes hockey jocks and compression underwear. These products are designed to cover contact protection, fit, mobility and comfort across player categories.
Goaltending
Bauer goalie equipment
Bauer supplies specialized equipment for goaltenders, including protective and performance gear distinct from standard player equipment. The company’s goalie range forms a dedicated part of its hockey offering and includes products for competitive and developing goaltenders.
Skate services and equipment · 2021
ProSharp skate-sharpening equipment and services
Following its 2021 acquisition of ProSharp AB, Bauer added Swedish skate-sharpening expertise to its broader hockey business. ProSharp products and capabilities support skate preparation and maintenance for players, teams, retailers and training environments.
Baseball and softball equipment · 2014
Easton Diamond baseball and softball equipment
Bauer expanded into baseball and softball in 2014 through the acquisition of Easton Diamond from Riddell. This line belonged to the company’s broader sports portfolio, although Bauer’s principal brand identity remains associated with hockey.
Controversies
2016
Performance Sports Group bankruptcy
Bauer’s parent company, Performance Sports Group, filed for bankruptcy protection. The event resulted in a restructuring and the later sale of Bauer’s assets to new ownership interests. This is a corporate financial event rather than a product-safety or misconduct finding.
Brand decisions
2021
ProSharp acquisitionM&ABackground
Bauer sought additional capabilities related to skate performance and maintenance.
Action taken
Bauer acquired ProSharp AB, a Swedish skate-sharpening company.
Aftermath
The transaction added skate-sharpening products and expertise to Bauer’s hockey ecosystem.
2017
Bauer assets transferred to Peak AchievementM&ABackground
Performance Sports Group’s bankruptcy required a sale and reorganization of its operating assets.
Action taken
Bauer’s assets were acquired by interests associated with Sagard Capital Partners and Fairfax Financial Holdings and placed under Peak Achievement Athletics.
Aftermath
Bauer continued as an active operating brand through Bauer Hockey LLC.
Reported purchase price. 575 million USD (2017 transaction)
2014
Easton Diamond acquisitionM&ABackground
Bauer Performance Sports pursued expansion outside its traditional hockey category.
Action taken
The company acquired Easton Diamond from Riddell and entered baseball and softball equipment.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the group’s sports portfolio beyond hockey.
2008
Purchase of Mission and ItechM&ABackground
Bauer sought to broaden its hockey-equipment portfolio through the acquisition of rival brands.
Action taken
Bauer purchased Mission-Itech and subsequently rebranded the equipment as Bauer.
Aftermath
Mission and Itech ceased to operate as the principal consumer-facing brands in the cited account.
1995
Nike acquires and rebrands BauerStrategyBackground
Nike acquired Canstar, the parent company of Bauer, as part of its expansion in sporting goods.
Action taken
The company became Nike Bauer Hockey, and products later used the combined Nike Bauer identity.
Aftermath
The association continued until Nike sold the business in 2008, after which the Bauer name was restored.
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