A Chilliwack company's new year's resolution is to help more kids play organized hockey.
Edge Advantage Ltd. is looking to partner with minor hockey associations across the province, using negative ion bracelets as a fundraising tool to offset dwindling registration numbers.
Founded in 2011, the company has been extolling the virtues of these bracelets, saying they may help to increase balance, strength and flexibility.
“They are embedded with innovative negative and Scalar energy technology, which release large amounts of negative ions,” said Edge Advantage Ltd. spokesman Jennifer Boyd. “Negative ions counteract the energy draining effects of positive ions that are emitted by many different items, including cell phones and computers.”
Among those who believe in the bracelets is ex-Abbotsford Heat head coach and current Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Jim Playfair. A shareholder in Edge Advantage Ltd., Playfair had his entire Heat team supplied with the bracelets, and now has several Coyotes wearing them.
A list of former NHLers who've shown interest includes ex-Vancouver Canuck Cliff Ronning, Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd and hall of famer Michel Goulet.
The Calgary Flames sell limited edition bracelets in their FanAttic store and online, and every participant (players, coaches, trainers and team personel) in this year's IIHF World Junior tournament got a bracelet in their gift bag.
Canucks anthem singer Mark Donnelly and Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt also wear the bracelets.
The fundraising initiative for minor hockey would see associations purchasing the bracelets at wholesale pricing and selling them at retail pricing. Edge Advantage Ltd. would donate an additional dollar for each bracelet sold.
“Through our efforts, we hope we will be able to assist players (and parents) in raising funds to lower some of the costs of things like gas, equipment and registration,” Boyd said. “We love hockey and want to focus on giving a little back to the communities that support our product.”