Adam Krinsky, assistant athletics director for equipment operations at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with the Pioneer Press about how tariffs on Canadian goods could affect the cost and availability of hockey equipment. With St. Thomas men’s hockey relying on Montreal-based CCM for equipment, Krinsky said the program is closely watching the changing trade situation and preparing to adjust as needed.
From the article:
In late August, a 50% tariff on many popular Canadian goods, including hockey equipment, went into effect after trade talks between the countries stalled. Since then, Canada has vowed to enact retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as part of a pointed trade war that started after President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025.
Changes on campus
The men’s hockey program at the University of St. Thomas works exclusively with equipment manufacturer CCM, which is headquartered in Montreal and was founded in 1899 as Canada Cycle and Motor. With each member of the Tommies’ roster using between 12 and 24 sticks each season, Adam Krinsky – the school’s assistant athletics director for equipment operations – buys in bulk.
That provides a bit of a break from retail prices, but Krinsky acknowledged he has been hearing from CCM reps more than usual as the U.S. and Canada escalate their war of words.
“I got an email this morning. I got an email two days ago,” Krinsky said last week. “It’s very much on everyone’s radar right now, and we’re just trying to figure it all out.”
The Tommies’ equipment budget for the 2026-27 season was drafted last January, and many of the orders for gear such as sticks, helmets, gloves, pants and elbow pads were placed in July. Since then, the White House announced its new tariffs, and specifically mentioned hockey sticks in its announcement.
“Things change so much, so you have to have a Plan A, a Plan B and a Plan C,” Krinsky said. “Moving forward, I think that’s what everybody is doing right now. We’re having to adjust on the fly.”
