NEWS AND MEDIA

Sport Maska Inc. And CSA International Announce the Voluntary Recall of Hockey Facemasks

09 Jul 2007

Toronto, ON - July 9th, 2007 - In cooperation with CSA International, Sport Maska Inc. ("Sport Maska") of Montreal, Quebec announced today the voluntary recall of approximately 825 Model FM5K hockey facemasks sold to consumers in Canada and approximately 500 Model FM5K hockey facemasks sold to consumers in the United States. The facemasks were not subjected to ongoing quality control tests as required by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the U.S. Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC).  Subsequently, when units in inventory were tested, some did not meet current CSA quality control test criteria. Units did meet HECC quality control test criteria.  Sport Maska is voluntarily recalling these facemasks to ensure that they meet all quality control requirements.

Sport Maska has received no reports of any incidents or injuries involving these facemasks.  Sport Maska identified this issue during a review of quality control testing.

The facemasks affected by this notice have the branding “RBK” and the model number “5K” located on the chin cup.  The facemasks were sold separately or pre-assembled to certain hockey helmets.  The FM5K facemasks that were sold separately are black or silver in color.  The FM5K facemasks were also sold preassembled to the following hockey helmets: a black FM5K facemask was sold preassembled to the model 4K helmet; and a silver FM5K facemask was sold preassembled to the model 6K helmet.

Only facemasks with a date coding prior to February 19, 2007 are affected.  These facemasks have a date coding in the format of MM/YY.  If you have a facemask with a date code between 03/06 and 02/07, it is subject to this recall. The date code is found on the plastic wire guard located under the foam of the chin pad.

The recalled facemasks were sold at retailers nationwide between March 2007 to April 2007 for approximately $35-150 Canadian dollars and approximately $30-130 US dollars.

Consumers should immediately stop using the facemasks and contact Sport Maska for instructions on how to obtain a replacement.  Consumers in Canada can contact Sport Maska at (800) 636-5895, and consumers in the U.S. can call Sport Maska at (800) 451-4600