Hockey fans must find alternative ways to feed their fix after NHL locks out players
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s official, the National Hockey League locked out its players at midnight Saturday, September 15.
Here’s the statement from the National Hockey League on its website:
Despite the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League has been, and remains, committed to negotiating around the clock to reach a new CBA that is fair to the Players and to the 30 NHL teams.
Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum.
While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League’s economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players — as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players’ Association seven years ago.
Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation — not through rhetoric.
This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans.
While there was no message on the National Hockey League Players Association website, the Vancouver Canucks addressed the current labour roadblock on its site.
As you are aware the NHL and NHLPA were unable to agree on a successor Collective Bargaining Agreement before September 15th. The Vancouver Canucks remain hopeful that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will be reached as soon as possible.
In the interim, we will continue to focus the efforts and talent of our entire staff and coaches on the values of grassroots hockey in British Columbia. We also will continue with our ongoing community initiatives, including children’s health and wellness through Canucks Autism Network, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and BC Children’s Hospital — as well as the support of literacy at the Canucks Family Education Centre.
As always, we appreciate your patience and loyalty. We want to say again how much we appreciate your support and passion for your Canucks.
We look forward to returning to the ice at Rogers Arena as soon as possible. Our staff and coaches have worked hard over the summer months to make sure we will be ready to play at a moment’s notice.
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