CHL players forming league’s first union

A Canadian Hockey League spokesperson says the CHL is forming a union for the first time in the league’s history.

The spokesperson says a union has been in the works for 14 months, according to Mike Davies of the Peterborough Examiner.

CHL Players Association consultant Sandra Slater told Davies she expects the group to go public in 10 days.

"The CHL is big business. They make millions of dollars a year and these kids make it for them," Slate told the Examiner. "Hockey Canada is a big part of this as well."

Through forming a union, the CHLPA is trying to create better representation for junior hockey players in regards to rights and education packages. The CHLPA is also aiming for fairness regarding compensation for players for their use in league branding and CHL and Hockey Canada events, the World Junior Hockey Championship being the most notable.

Many players and managers may not have heard about union, but it sounds like it’s certainly coming. And it could really shake up the CHL.

— Patrick King (@SNPatrickKing) August 20, 2012

If the more than 60 per cent of the group accepts the union at a vote, the league is obligated by law to recognize it.

According to a statement, the CHLPA was officially formed Aug. 9. Shortly afterward, a board of governors was elected and a bargaining committee struck.

Word of the CHLPA leaked to thejuniorhockeynews.com before the group was prepared to go public. Slater told the Exmainer that they are now trying to protect the identity of its members.

"To release our labour lawyers names or too much information at this point it gives the other side an advantage," she said. "We’ve been trying to keep as tight of a lid as possible mainly for the protection of the kids.”

Slater also added that many high-profile people have been approached about being the union’s executive director and that there will be an official statement released when that decision has been made.

According to a release on the initial news of the union, the players have been supportive: "The players’ support on this venture has been overwhelming and we fully expect to have the majority of the players signed up within the next coming days.

"The CHLPA would fully expect the CHL and its member clubs to recognize the PA as the official bargaining agent on behalf of the PA. If not, the PA is fully prepared to make an application to the labour board in each of the respected areas including the USA."

The details of how the CHLPA would function have yet to be seen, and OHL commissioner David Branch is waiting to pass judgment until he has better grasp of what the union is all about.

"I know nothing other than the speculation and the rumours," Branch said. "The board of governors takes the position it would be most inappropriate to respond in any way, shape or form until we have more information."

Peterborough Petes goalie Andrew D’Agostini and Kitchener Rangers forward Matt Puempel, who are both entering their fourth OHL season, told the Examiner they have not been contacted by the CHLPA.

D’Agostini said, "I can’t complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You’re always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I’m sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don’t know what to say."

Puempel had a slightly different take.

"I have never heard about this", Puempel said. "It’s a pretty good idea, I think, but I don’t know how it would work when you’re only in the league for three or four years at a time. I have a lot of contact with guys around the league and they have never brought it up."

"It’s good to get a players side of view, too," he added.

The group’s mission statement says, "The goal for the PA is to achieve a fair and economically sound education package without restrictions for each player. To not only negotiate with the CHL but with Hockey Canada as well for the use of the players in international events to help support a better education package for all the players of the PA.

"The PA feels that there is no reason why players should have so many restrictions on the use of their education packages. As it stands now the player upon finishing his playing career must execute that package in 18 months or forfeit it. That is one of the many unacceptable conditions in the standard contract."

Aside from Slater herself, most CHLPA members remain anonymous for now. However, Slater says that everything "will come to light" in the next 10 days.

The details of how the CHLPA would function have yet to be seen, and OHL Commissioner David Branch is waiting to pass judgment until he has better grasp of what the union is all about.

"I know nothing other than the speculation and the rumours," Branch said. "The board of governors takes the position it would be most inappropriate to respond in any way, shape or form until we have more information."

Peterborough Petes’ goalie Andrew D’Agostini and Kitchener Rangers forward Matt Puempel, who are both entering their fourth OHL season, told the Examiner they have not been contacted by the CHLPA.

D’Agostini said, "I can’t complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You’re always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I’m sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don’t know what to say."

Puempel had a slightly different take.

"I have never heard about this", Puempel said. "It’s a pretty good idea, I think, but I don’t know how it would work when you’re only in the league for three or four years at a time. I have a lot of contact with guys around the league and they have never brought it up."

"It’s good to get a players side of view, too," he added.

The group’s mission statement says, "The goal for the PA is to achieve a fair and economically sound education package without restrictions for each player. To not only negotiate with the CHL but with Hockey Canada as well for the use of the players in international events to help support a better education package for all the players of the PA.

"The PA feels that there is no reason why players should have so many restrictions on the use of their education packages. As it stands now the player upon finishing his playing career must execute that package in 18 months or forfeit it. That is one of the many unacceptable conditions in the standard contract."

Aside from Slater herself, most CHLPA members remain anonymous for now. However, Slater says that everything "will come to light" in the next 10 days.

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