Shock Doctor Adds New Flavored Mouthguard to Best-Selling Line



FLAVOR FUSION
SHOCK DOCTOR ADDS NEW FLAVORED MOUTHGUARD TO BEST-SELLING LINE


Professional, amateur and youth athletes will add flavor to their game with the new Flavor Fusion mouthguard line from Shock Doctor, the undisputed #1 mouthguard company in the world. Shock Doctor has added flavor to one of its most popular mouthguards with the launch of Gel Nano Flavor Fusion ($24.99).

With a growing number of sports requiring and encouraging mouthguards, Flavor Fusion allows athletes to customize their mouthguard experience while still maintaining maximum protection on the field, ice or court. The new Gel Nano Flavor Fusion is available in exciting tastes including: RocketPunch, BlueRaz, ShockOrange, LimonTensity, and Bubblegum.

Featuring an advanced combination of innovative performance, unrivaled protection, high impact shock absorption and Flavor Fusion technology, the Gel Nano Flavor Fusion is the best fitting flavored mouthguard on the market.  Other mouthguards in the Flavor Fusion line include the recently launched Gel Max Flavor Fusion ($14.99).

Mouthguards are the easiest and the best piece of sports equipment to protect teeth no matter what age or skill level.  Additionally, The National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries reports that an athlete is 60 times less likely to sustain damage to teeth when wearing a properly fitted mouthguard.

The official mouthguard of USA Football, USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey, Shock Doctor mouthguards are worn in a growing number of sports including Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, and more, and around the world by athletes of all ages and skill level, including the following professional athletes: Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers (NFL); Akeem Ayers – Tennessee Titans (NFL); Nick Leddy – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL); Jack Johnson – Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL); Jake Gardiner – Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL); and more.

In addition to being brand ambassadors, Shock Doctor’s professional athletes are committed to helping players, coaches and parents learn about safety and protection on the field of play, as well as health and wellness. Many of the Shock Doctor pro athletes also report that they perform with increased confidence and an added edge when wearing protection gear, including a properly fitting mouthguard.

“Around the world, athletes trust the Shock Doctor brand as the leader and the ultimate mouthguard expert in innovation and design. Supported by multiple patents, we continue to break new ground and offer mouthguard innovations with real benefits and protection,” says Tony Armand, Shock Doctor CEO.  “Thanks to the latest innovations in technology, flavored mouthguards can now offer the same superior protection that Shock Doctor is known for worldwide.”

The Gel Nano Flavor Fusion line is now available at www.shockdoctor.com and in retail stores nationwide, including: Dick's Sporting Goods, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Universal Athletic Service, Hockeygiant.Com, Ice Works, Omega Sports, Athletes World, and The Sports Authority among others.

SHOCK DOCTOR ACQUIRED BY BREGAL PARTNERS


Minnetonka, MN – Shock Doctor Inc. (“Shock Doctor Sports” or “the Company”), a global leader in mouthguard technology and an innovator of sports protective and performance gear, announced today that it has been acquired by Bregal Partners, a leading middle market New York-based private equity firm. Bregal’s investment is in partnership with Shock Doctor Sports’ management; financial terms were not disclosed.

Trusted by athletes around the world who demand performance and protection, Shock Doctor Sports owns two brands: Shock Doctor, the number one mouthguard company in the world for over 15 years and creators of sports protection gear for hockey, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, martial arts, boxing, and lacrosse, amongst other sports; and Cutters Gloves, an industry leading line of performance gloves and accessories for football and baseball made with exclusive C-TACK™ Performance Grip Material. 

The new partnership with Bregal creates a platform from which Shock Doctor Sports can fuel growth and increase its role as a significant player in the global performance and protective sports equipment market. With a loyal fan base and meticulous focus on quality and innovation, Shock Doctor Sports has been one of the fastest growing sporting goods companies in the world.  The Company’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology changed the way athletes view protective gear. 

“Shock Doctor’s groundbreaking, well-designed products have made protection not something athletes have to wear but want to wear,” commented Shock Doctor Sports Chief Executive Officer, Tony Armand. “We have had an amazing investment partnership over the last six years with Norwest Equity Partners, and now as we look forward to our next phase of growth, our entire Shock Doctor team is thrilled to partner with Bregal Partners. Bregal brings a unique blend of consumer and healthcare investment experience that will undoubtedly help us achieve our growth objectives and continued success.”

Bregal Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Robert Bergmann, noted, “We see a great opportunity for Shock Doctor to continue to revolutionize the $9 billion global market for performance and protective equipment with new, innovative, and distinctive products.  Beyond entering new categories, the Company should also benefit from overall market growth and an ability to acquire other industry participants.”  This acquisition also helps to expand Bregal’s consumer healthcare portfolio.

 Bergmann added that the transaction gives Bregal a chance to work together for a second time with Armand. “We are also delighted to have the opportunity to again partner with Tony as we’ve had a 15-year relationship.  The talent and track record of both Tony and the Shock Doctor management team is a key reason we are so excited about the transaction.” 
Tim Kuehl, a partner at Norwest Equity Partners, stated, “We had a very successful investment partnership with Tony and the entire Shock Doctor team. Together we worked hard to increase our position as a market leader in the performance and protective equipment category, created and acquired new products lines which helped to nearly triple overall revenue. Shock Doctor Sports is well-positioned for continued growth and success under Tony Armand’s leadership and with their new investment partner.”
William Blair & Company and Lindquist & Vennum represented Norwest Equity Partners, and Dechert LLP represented Bregal Partners in this transaction. 
About Shock Doctor Sports
Shock Doctor Sports is a leading manufacturer of protective and performance sports equipment.  With a relentless focus on innovation and technology, its products are trusted by athletes, from youth to amateur to professional, across a growing number of sports.  Shock Doctor Sports has the world’s leading mouthguard product line and also provides a full continuum of superior athletic products, including core protective, compression, performance sports therapy, sports gloves (under the Cutters® brand), and insoles.  Its products are sold through major sporting goods retailers, independent dealers, online retailers, and health care professionals throughout the United States and around the globe.  For more information on Shock Doctor Sports, please visit www.shockdoctor.com and www.cuttersgloves.com.

About Bregal Partners
Bregal Partners is a private investment firm that invests alongside management teams to build industry leading companies in the middle market. Areas of focus include energy services, consumer, food and retail, and healthcare. With $500 million of committed capital funded by a sixth-generation family foundation with roots back to 1841, Bregal Partners brings experience, stability, and a long-term outlook to all of its investment activities.  Bregal Partners is part of Bregal Investments, a global family of private equity and fund investment vehicles that has invested more than $9 billion since 2002. For more information on Bregal Partners, please visit www.bregalpartners.com.


About Norwest Equity Partners
As a leading equity investment firm since 1961, Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) partners with middle market business owners and their management teams to make growing, profitable companies into industry leaders. With nearly $5 billion in capital under management, NEP seeks $30mm-$150mm investment opportunities with a variety of industry sectors, including agriculture, applied technology, business services, consumer products and services, diversified industrials and healthcare. NEP is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information on NEP, please visit www.nep.com.


TEAM SHOCK DOCTOR WELCOMES NFL STAR LINEBACKER AKEEM AYERS



Ayers to Wear Shock Doctor’s Performance-Driven Protective Gear

And Serve as Football Product Development Advisor


Shock Doctor®, creators of innovative, performance-driven sports protection, and #1 mouthguard in the world, is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with acclaimed NFL linebacker, Akeem Ayers of the Tennessee Titans.

Ayers joins Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians catcher; Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers running back; Percy Harvin Minnesota Vikings wide receiver ; Jack Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman; Nick Leddy, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman; Jake Gardiner, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman and AFL Midfielder for Collingwood, Luke Ball on Team Shock Doctor, the company’s elite group of professional athletes who serve as brand ambassadors.

Committed to producing the most innovative protective equipment in the world for athletes at every level of the game, Shock Doctor is looking to Ayers to serve as a product development advisor, giving detailed input from a professional player’s perspective for the company’s football protection products while also serving as a representative for the brand both on and off the field.

“I am very excited to join Team Shock Doctor and look forward to working with them to develop new and improved sports protection equipment for football players at every level of the game,” says Ayers.

“We are happy to welcome Akeem Ayers to our stellar line-up of athletes on Team Shock Doctor,” says Tony Armand, Chief Executive Officer of Shock Doctor. “Akeem’s leadership and professionalism on and off the field sets him apart and makes him a role model for upcoming NFL football greats.”

An All-American linebacker at UCLA, Ayers is a smooth, agile defender and proven playmaker, having recorded six interceptions, 14 sacks, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries during his three collegiate seasons. As an NFL rookie, Ayers had the opportunity to make an immediate impact for Tennessee’s defense.

When the Tennessee Titans report to camp this summer, Ayers will make his debut in:

• Shock Doctor Custom Mouthguards

• Shock Doctor ShockSkin protective padded apparel and equipment

• Shock Doctor Velocity Motion 360 Base Layer Apparel


• Shock Doctor Chin Straps

• Performance Sports Therapy wraps, supports and sleeves

About Shock Doctor, Inc.

The number one mouthguard company in the world for over a decade, Shock Doctor is the undisputed market leader in premiere mouthguard technology and is known as the creator of fearless, performance-driven sports protection equipment and apparel available in over 8,000 retail locations in over 50 countries worldwide. Shock Doctor’s athlete-centric approach and commitment to developing game-changing technology, which has earned seventeen patents to date, has continuously revolutionized the industry and raised the standard for technical and functional performance. Trusted by youth, amateur, and pro athletes in a growing number of sports including hockey, baseball, football, lacrosse and more, Shock Doctor products combine cutting-edge design and premium materials with the latest technology to achieve the ultimate in protection and performance. http://www.shockdoctor.com/ 

SHOCK DOCTOR® TO FEATURE #1 MOUTHGUARD IN THE WORLD, NEW PRODUCTS, ORANGE GUYS, AND MORE AT LET’S PLAY HOCKEY EXPO

Let’s Play Hockey Expo Runs March 9-10 at RiverCentre

Minneapolis-based Shock Doctor®, the authentic market leader and creators of innovative, unique performance-driven sports protection and the undisputed leader in mouthguard technology, will feature their latest in Mouthguard technology, performance and protection gear and unveil their new Performance Sports Therapy line at the 2012 Let’s Play Hockey Expo on March 9-10.

Expo attendees can also expect the following at the Shock Doctor booth:

• Have the opportunity to ask questions of Shock Doctor’s experts.

• Hockey players will be able to learn more about Shock Doctor’s continual expansion and advancement in mouthguards, including the new cutting edge Nano 3D Lower Mouthguard, and Ultra 2 STC Mouthguard, both featuring low profile designs and the ability to speak and breath naturally.

• Check out Shock Doctor’s complete Hockey Protection line, including the revolutionary Shockskin Hockey, secondary protection worn underneath primary protection and designed to cover the gaps without adding weight or bulk.

• Find out about Shock Doctor’s NEW Performance Sports Therapy line, created to reinvent sports medicine for recovery and prevention of injuries for the elbow, knee, shoulder, wrist, ankle, leg, shoulder and back.

• The Shock Doctor Orange Guys, Shock Doctor Athlete’s dressed head to toe in orange and wearing the Shock Doctor Shockskin Hockey protective apparel, will be available for photos.

• Take photos with cut outs of Team Shock Doctor’s professional hockey players, Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman Nick Leddy and the Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Jack Johnson. Learn more about their favorite Shock Doctor products.

• Expo attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a video game shoot -out for a chance to win a variety of Shock Doctor prizes including free mouthguards, as well as authentic hockey pucks, Nick and Jack posters, Shock Doctor temporary tattoo’s and a grand prize Hockey Pack giveaway.

WHEN: Friday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


WHERE: RiverCentre in St. Paul


About Shock Doctor, Inc.
Shock Doctor is the undisputed leader in mouthguard technology and considered the leading innovator in sports protection around the globe. Their belief in combining design and technology to achieve better protection and performance is now trusted by fearless athletes in a growing number of products and sports, from youth to amateur to pro. For further information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.shockdoctor.com/. 

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