With the NHL Draft three weeks away, top prospect Connor McDavid on Thursday "landed his first major sponsorship deal" with Reebook-CCM, according to Joanne Ireland of the EDMONTON JOURNAL. With the "multi-year tie," he joins the likes of Penguins C Sidney Crosby, Islanders C John Tavares, Red Wings C Pavel Datsyuk, Canadiens G Carey Price and Bruins C Patrice Bergeron in the company's "stable of stars." The Oilers have the top-pick in the Draft, and the fact that McDavid is "set to land in a hockey-obsessed" Edmonton market "doesn't hurt." Reebok-CCM Global VP/Marketing Sean Williams said McDavid is "the kind of talent people will pay attention to globally." He added that the company is "still in conversations with McDavid as to what model of stick he'll be using next season" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 6/5). The AP's John Wawrow reports Reebok-CCM will "outfit McDavid in equipment from helmet to skate blade." In exchange, he will "play a role in marketing campaigns, beginning with the company's launch of a commercial series titled, 'Made of Hockey.''' Williams said, "To have the best young player who's coming along in a long time decide to partner with us, we think that's a big deal." Wawrow noted McDavid has been using CCM equipment "for numerous years, and said it was never a question for him to sign with the company" (AP, 6/4). The Hockey News reported the deal is believed to be worth $1M per year. In Buffalo, John Vogl notes McDavid "had a deal with CCM during his junior days that reportedly paid $250,000 per year" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/5). McDavid, who also has a deal with Toronto-based sports drink brand BioSteel, said, "It’s a relationship that I’ve had now for a couple of years and more formally switched over to CCM this year. ... If you look at their hockey heritage, they’ve been around for so many years. Bobby Orr even wore their skates, which gives you an idea of the background they have, the heritage they have, the history and all that. It’s very special to be a part of that” (SPORTSNET.ca, 6/5).
