Bauer Performance Sports Reports Continued Record Results in First Quarter of Fiscal 2013

Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. (TSX:BAU) ("BAUER" or the "Company") today
announced its financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal 2013 ended
August 31, 2012 reported under IFRS. All figures are in U.S. dollars.




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US$ 000,000's except                                                        
per share data and %                       Three months ended               
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                                                                 Change vs. 
                                  Aug 31, 2012   Aug 31, 2011  prior period 
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Revenues                                $148.3         $142.4            4% 
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Gross profit                              60.3           59.5            1% 
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Adjusted Gross Profit(i)                  61.0           60.2            1% 
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Adjusted EBITDA(i)                        37.9           34.9            9% 
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Net income (loss)                         16.0           22.6          (29%)
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Adjusted Net Income(i)                    22.9           20.9           10% 
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Earnings (Loss) per share                                                   
 (diluted)                               $0.45          $0.72          (38%)
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Adjusted EPS(i)                          $0.65          $0.66           (2%)
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(i)Note: Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and    
Adjusted EPS are non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions and        
reconciliations to reported results, please see "Non-IFRS Measures" at the  
end of this news release and in the Company's Management's Discussion and   
Analysis ("MD&A") for the most recent period.                               



Revenues grew by 4% (8% excluding the impact of foreign exchange) to $148.3
million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2013 including strong performance in
several ice hockey equipment categories and apparel driven by recent new product
launches. Composite sticks grew by 9%, driven partially by the launch of the
NEXUS family of products, and the new RE-AKT helmet helped drive 16% growth in
helmets. Partially offsetting these gains was a 9% decline in goalie revenues
due to the launch of the new product line earlier in the Back-to-Hockey 2012
season than in Back-to-Hockey 2011. Apparel revenues grew by 11% and BAUER's
lacrosse revenues increased significantly driven by the positive contribution of
two months of sales from the recently acquired Cascade Helmets Holdings, Inc.
("Cascade") which added 2% to total revenue growth in the quarter. Overall
revenues from the North American market grew by 2% in the three month period
ended August 31, 2012 compared to the same period last year, while sales outside
North America grew by 10% in the same period.


Adjusted Gross Profit in the three month period ended August 31, 2012 increased
by $0.8 million, or 1%, to $61.0 million. Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage
of revenues was 41.1% for the three month period ended August 31, 2012 versus
42.3% in the three month period ended August 31, 2011. The decline in Adjusted
Gross Profit as a percentage of revenues was driven primarily by higher product
costs and unfavourable foreign exchange, partially offset by favourable other
cost of goods sold.


Adjusted Net Income in the three month period ended August 31, 2012 increased by
$2.0 million, or 10%, to $22.9 million. The increase in Adjusted Net Income is
driven by increased Adjusted Gross Profit, continued benefits of operating
leverage in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a favourable
impact from the Company's hedging activities.


Adjusted EPS decreased 2%, or $0.01, to $0.65, compared to the same period last
year due to the higher number of common shares outstanding as a result of the
share offerings in June to fund the Cascade Acquisition. Excluding the impact of
the Cascade acquisition and related share offerings, Adjusted EPS would have
been approximately $0.70. For the full fiscal year the Company currently expects
the Cascade acquisition to be accretive to Adjusted EPS, however due to the
seasonality of Cascade's business, the income from Cascade in the first fiscal
quarter did not offset the dilutive impact of the higher number of common shares
outstanding.


In addition to BAUER's strong first quarter results, the Company also announced
that booking orders for its 2012 "Holiday" season (October 2012 - March 2013)
increased 12% over the 2011 "Holiday" season. This growth of $8.0 million
increased "Holiday" booking orders to $75.1 million, reflecting our retail
customers' continuing enthusiasm for BAUER's innovative products.


"We followed up our record fourth quarter with a very strong start to fiscal
2013, outperforming the industry and growing our top line at over 8% on a
currency-neutral basis and our bottom line at 10% in the first quarter" said
Kevin Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, BAUER. "The 12% growth in
our Holiday booking orders is further evidence that our high performing products
and brands continue to be in strong demand by our customers and consumers".


As of August 31, 2012, BAUER had working capital of $250.4 million compared to
working capital of $202.2 million as of August 31, 2011, an increase of 24%.
This increase was driven by sales growth of 18% and 4% in the two most recent
quarters, the acquisition of Cascade, and a higher mix of advance booking orders
by the Company's customers which carry longer payment terms. The Company
continued to manage its balance sheet as its leverage ratio, defined as net
indebtedness divided by EBITDA, was 2.78 compared to 2.80 as of August 31, 2011.


Other Recent Highlights



--  On June 29, 2012, BAUER completed the acquisition of Cascade, a leading
    manufacturer and distributor of men's and youth lacrosse helmets in
    North America for $65.0 million (excluding cash acquired). The purchase
    price and related transaction expenses were funded through the issuance
    of approximately C$30 million of new equity and the balance in new
    borrowings.

--  On September 21, 2012, BAUER was added to the S&P/TSX SmallCap Index.

--  On September 26, 2012, certain Kohlberg Funds managed by Kohlberg
    Management VI LLC, BAUER's largest shareholder, entered into an
    agreement with a syndicate of underwriters to sell 3.6 million common
    shares of the Company. As of October 2, 2012 the Kohlberg Funds,
    collectively, own approximately 53.0% of the outstanding common shares
    on a non-diluted basis (43.8% on a fully-diluted basis). Upon completion
    of this secondary offering, but before giving effect to the over-
    allotment option granted to the underwriters, of up to 540,000 common
    shares, the Kohlberg Funds will own approximately 42.6% of the
    outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis (35.1% on a fully-
    diluted basis), and approximately 41.0% of the outstanding common shares
    on a non-diluted basis (33.8% on a fully-diluted basis) if the over-
    allotment option is exercised in full. BAUER will not receive any
    proceeds from the sale.



Adjusted Gross Profit, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/Loss and
Adjusted EPS are non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions and
reconciliations to reported results, please see "Non-IFRS Measures" noted below
and in the Company's MD&A for the most recent period. Working capital as used
above includes trade and other receivables, inventories, and trade and other
payables. 


The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the
period ended August 31, 2012 have been filed with applicable regulatory
authorities and are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's
website. 


CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST 

Due to certain restrictions associated with the recently announced secondary
offering by the Kohlberg Funds (see press release dated September 26, 2012), the
Company will hold its conference call to discuss first quarter results on
October 17, 2012 at 8:30 am ET, prior to its annual general meeting of
shareholders, which will be held on the same day at 10:00 am ET at the Hockey
Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. The call will be hosted by Kevin Davis,
President and CEO and Amir Rosenthal, Chief Financial Officer. Following
management's presentation, there will be a question and answer session for
analysts and investors.


To access the call, please dial 1-888-364-3109 or 1-719-325-2361. The conference
call will also be accessible via webcast at www.bauerperformancesports.com. A
replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on October 17,
2012, until midnight ET, October 31, 2012. To access the replay, dial
1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 followed by passcode 2241937.  


To participate in the live audio webcast, please visit the Company's website at
www.bauerperformancesports.com. The webcast will also be archived on the
Company's website. 


ABOUT BAUER PERFORMANCE SPORTS LTD.

Bauer Performance Sports Ltd. (TSX:BAU) is a leading developer and manufacturer
of ice hockey, roller hockey, and lacrosse equipment as well as related apparel.
The company has the most recognized and strongest brand in the ice hockey
equipment industry, and holds the top market share position in both ice and
roller hockey. Its products are marketed under the Bauer Hockey, Mission Roller
Hockey, Maverik Lacrosse and Cascade brand names and are distributed by sales
representatives and independent distributors throughout the world. Bauer
Performance Sports is focused on building its leadership position and growing
market share in all product categories through continued innovation at every
level. For more information, visit www.bauerperformancesports.com. 


NON-IFRS MEASURES 

Adjusted Gross Profit, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and
Adjusted EPS are non-IFRS measures. Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as gross
profit plus the following expenses which are part of cost of goods sold: (i)
amortization and depreciation of intangible assets, (ii) non-cash charges to
cost of goods sold resulting from fair market value adjustments to inventory as
a result of business acquisitions, and (iii) reserves established to dispose of
obsolete inventory acquired from acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as
EBITDA (net income adjusted for income tax expense, depreciation and
amortization, losses related to amendments to the Company's credit facility,
gain or loss on disposal of fixed assets, net interest expense, deferred
financing fees, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, and realized
and unrealized gains/losses related to foreign exchange revaluation) before
restructuring and other one-time or non-cash charges associated with
acquisitions, pre-IPO sponsor fees, costs related to share offerings, as well as
share-based payment expense. Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income
adjusted for unrealized gains/losses related to derivative instruments and
unrealized gains/losses related to foreign exchange revaluation, one-time or
non-cash charges associated with acquisitions, amortization of acquisition
related intangible assets for acquisitions since Fiscal 2012, costs related to
share offerings, share-based compensation expense, and other non-cash or
one-time items. Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Income/Loss divided by
the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.


Reconciliations of these non-IFRS measures to the relevant reported results can
be found in the Company's MD&A for the first quarter of Fiscal 2013.


CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and
other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of
amounts not yet determinable. The words "may", "will", "would", "should",
"could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates",
"believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or
other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are
intended to identify forward looking statements. 


Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including
those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties.
Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by the forward looking statements, including, without
limitation, the following factors: inability to introduce new and innovative
products, intense competition in the equipment and apparel industries, inability
to introduce technical innovation, inability to protect worldwide intellectual
property rights, inability to successfully integrate recent acquisitions,
decrease in ice hockey, roller hockey and/or lacrosse participation rates,
adverse publicity, inability to maintain and enhance brands, reliance on third
party suppliers and manufacturers, disruption of distribution chain or loss of
significant customers or suppliers, cost of raw materials and shipping freight
and other cost pressures, a change in the mix or timing of orders placed by
customers, inability to forecast demand for products, inventory shrinkage or
excess inventory, product liability claims and product recalls, compliance with
standards of testing and athletic governing bodies, departure of senior
executives or other key personnel, litigation, employment or union related
matters, inability to translate order bookings into realized sales, fluctuations
in the value of certain foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar,
inability to manage foreign exchange derivative instruments, general economic
and market conditions, changes in consumer preferences and the difficulty in
anticipating or forecasting those changes, natural disasters, as well as the
factors identified in the "Risk Factors" section of BAUER's Annual Information
Form dated August 29, 2012 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 


Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward looking statements contained
in this press release are made as of the date of this news release, and we have
no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law.