Bauer Hockey (renamed Nike Bauer from 2005 to 2009) is one of the leading manufacturers of ice hockey equipment, fitness and recreational skates and apparel.[2] Bauer produces helmets, gloves, sticks, skates, shin guards, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, as well as goalie equipment. Bauer primarily developed and manufactured hockey skates prior to 1990, when it acquired the hockey assets of Cooper Canada Ltd. Bauer operates as a unit of Performance Sports Group Ltd. of Exeter, New Hampshire.
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 17 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger. The USHL is strictly amateur, allowing former players to compete in NCAA college hockey.