The NHL’s labour history: A timeline
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/08/2012 (5122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
February, 1957
The first NHL players’ union is formed by Ted Lindsay of the Red Wings and Doug Harvey of the Canadiens after they had been denied access to look at the financials related to the players’ pension fund. That union was busted by the owners, who traded the players involved or sent them to the minor leagues. An out-of-court settlement solved some of the players’ issues and they then disbanded the union.
June, 1967
The NHL Players’ Association is formed, with Alan Eagleson named executive director and Bob Pulford president. NHL teams recognized the NHLPA.
December, 1991
Eagleson is forced to resign by the NHLPA after their concerns about his relationship with NHL owners and possible collusion.
January, 1992
Bob Goodenow replaces Eagleson as the executive director of the NHLPA.
April, 1992
Goodenow leads the players in the first strike against the NHL, just prior to the playoffs, which lasted just 10 days. The players earned an increase in playoff bonuses and more control over the use and licensing of their likenesses. As well, the regular-season was expanded to 84 games, including two games to be played in non-NHL cities.
October, 1994-
January, 1995
Following a season in which the NHL played without a collective-bargaining agreement, the 1994-95 season begins with a lockout. Fearing for its small-market franchises, the NHL wanted to tie salaries to revenue with a cap. Ultimately, a cap for rookies was implemented following the loss of 468 games and the All-Star Game. The season was reduced to a 48-game schedule.
January, 1998
Eagleson pleads guilty to three counts fraud and pays a fine of $1 million in a Boston court. The next day in Toronto he pleads guilty to another three counts of fraud and is sentenced to 18 months in jail.
September, 2004 — July, 2005
A lockout results in the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season, marking the first time a major sports league in North America was forced to dump an entire campaign because of a labour dispute. On July 21 the current CBA between the NHL and NHLPA is ratified. The key development was the establishment of a salary cap — including a salary floor — a 24 per cent rollback on existing contracts and revenue sharing with the players.
July 2012
With the Sept. 15 end of the current CBA approaching, NHL makes its first proposal to the NHLPA including a reduction in revenue sharing from 57 to 46 per cent.
August 2012
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces that there will be a lockout of the players if a new CBA is not agreed upon by Sept. 15.
–Tait