NextFin news, BRANTFORD, Ontario — On Monday, October 6, 2025, Roustan Hockey, the last major wooden hockey stick factory in Canada, remains operational despite ongoing challenges from U.S. tariff threats and the broader forces of globalization.
Located about 60 miles southwest of Toronto, the factory employs 15 workers who craft approximately 400,000 wooden hockey sticks annually under brands such as Christian, Northland, and Sherwood. About 100,000 of these sticks are exported to the United States.
The factory’s general manager, Bo Crawford, described the uncertainty caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, noting the difficulty in planning amid shifting tariff threats. “You just have to roll with it and the president of the U.S. can change his mind day to day, week to week, hour to hour,” Crawford said.
Tariff concerns escalated after the Trump administration eliminated a widely used customs exemption for international shipments valued under $800 in late August 2025, creating new uncertainty for cross-border trade. Owner and CEO Graeme Roustan expressed concern about how tariffs on small shipments could impact business, especially for customers purchasing fewer sticks.
Roustan Hockey has also faced unexpected tariffs on other products, such as goalie pads manufactured at a separate Toronto facility, with some shipments flagged for a 200% tariff. The company is working with customs brokers and shipping companies to resolve these issues.
The factory’s survival is notable amid a long-term decline in Canadian manufacturing, with the country’s economy shrinking 1.6% in the second quarter of 2025 and exports to the U.S. dropping 7.5%. Manufacturing jobs have decreased by nearly 38,000 in the year leading to August 2025, and investment in industrial machinery has fallen to historic lows.
Roustan Hockey traces its origins back to 1847, predating Canada’s confederation and the founding of the National Hockey League. It is the last remnant of a once-thriving North American wooden hockey stick manufacturing industry that peaked in the 1970s and 1980s.
While wooden sticks now represent only about 10% of the global market, with composite sticks made from carbon fiber dominating professional and amateur play, Roustan maintains its niche by emphasizing quality craftsmanship. Crawford acknowledged the shrinking market but highlighted the factory’s commitment to quality despite competition from lower-cost Asian manufacturers.
Roustan emphasized the cultural and economic importance of maintaining a domestic manufacturing base for hockey sticks, a symbol deeply embedded in Canadian identity. “Having a factory that makes hockey sticks in Canada really serves two purposes. One, it contributes to the manufacturing base. But two, (it) has the legacy and the tug of the heartstrings of the game that we all love in Canada,” he said.
As of October 6, 2025, Roustan Hockey continues to navigate the complexities of international trade and evolving market preferences, striving to preserve a historic Canadian manufacturing tradition amid uncertain economic conditions.
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