CHL-PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement

The following is an Executive Summary of key elements in the CHL-PHPA Agreement.

Please note, the following is merely a summary of some of the clauses within the agreement and does not constitute the official language of the agreement.

What is the length of the Collective Agreement?

This inaugural agreement will be one (1) year in duration. Negotiations towards a new long term agreement will begin no later than February 28, 2010.

Is there a Salary Cap in the CHL?

Yes. The weekly Salary Cap to be shared amongst all Players on the Active Roster for the 2009-10 season will be: $10,450 per week.

Is there a Salary Floor?

The Salary Floor is the minimum total salary paid by a team to Players on the Active Roster. For the 2009-10 season, this amount will be: $8,400 per week.

What is the minimum salary a player can earn?

The minimum salary a CHL player can earn is $335/week if that player has played less than 25 professional games, or $375/week for players who have played more than 25 professional games.

What is the Per Diem (meal money) allowance for CHL Players?

The per diem allowance for each Player accompanying his team while he is away from his home city in excess of 25 miles for the purpose of participating in a practice, regular season, or post-season game is $30 per day. Meal allowance times will be: 9am for breakfast, 1pm for lunch, and 7pm for dinner.

For every five (5) consecutive days on the road, the team is required to provide an additional $16 (or meal of equivalent value) for dinner in addition to the payments above.

What is a Veteran and is there a limit on how many can be on an Active Roster?

Each team shall be limited to four (4) Veterans on its Active Roster. A Veteran shall mean a Player, other than a goaltender, who has played in 300 or more regular season games of professional hockey (including NHL, AHL, ECHL, IHL, UHL, European professional games in equivalent Leagues, and CHL).

What is the Reserve System?

Each team reserves the rights to all Players on its Protected List during the Season until 11:59PM Eastern Time on June 15. No player on a team’s Season Ending Roster shall be traded by a Club after June 15 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time. At this time, all trades from the previous season, including trades for future considerations, shall be considered final.

A team shall only be entitled to reserve Rights to a maximum of eight (8) Qualified Players. Of these eight (8) Qualified Players, no more than three (3) of the Qualified Players shall be returning Veterans. “Qualified Player” shall mean a Player who is listed on a team’s Season Ending Roster who has received a Qualifying Offer from that team. A “Qualifying Offer” shall mean an offer of a Standard Player Contract to a Qualified Player. Dates for qualifying offers for 2010 are yet to be determined.

Are players reimbursed for pre-season and end of season travel expenses?

Unsigned players (not signed to a Standard Player Contract) attending CHL team training camps are responsible for their own travel expenses. Furthermore, upon a Player or Invitee signing a SPC and make the Season Opening Roster, or is added to the roster in-season under a SPC, the Club shall reimburse the Player (and Player’s legal wife and children), their reasonable travel costs (with receipts) up to $350 to the training camp. Any additional expenses are to be submitted by the Player to the Club. Players are required to submit travel receipts within 7 days of reporting to the Club. In turn, the Club shall reimburse the player within 14 days of receiving said receipts.

When a player is traveling via airline to the Club’s home territory, returning to his off-season domicile, or upon a Player’s release if not claimed off waivers, the Player, Spouse, and his children shall each be entitled to two (2) checked bags, not to exceed fifty (50) pounds per bag.

All players who end the season with the same team that they began the season with will receive an 85% advance of their travel in costs for purposes of travel out. Full reimbursement of any additional travel expenses will be made within 14 days of Club receiving receipts. Players who do not end the season with the same team and who are driving back to their home territory will receive a travel advance for purposes of travel out. Players who travel via airline must make their travel arrangements through the Club.

Is a Player required to pay his own Moving Expenses during the Season?

Any Player who is traded, claimed, or assigned during the season shall receive full reimbursement for reasonable moving expenses for the Player, Spouse, and his children from the acquiring team.

Does a Player receive Off-Ice Insurance?

Each Player on an Active Roster or Injured Reserve shall be eligible to receive off-ice health insurance coverage. Coverage shall be extended 14 days past the Club’s last game. Insurance premiums to be fully paid by the Club.

What is Arbitration? What is the process for settlement?

Any dispute, controversy, claim, or disagreement arising out of or relating to the Agreement shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration and will follow a specific grievance procedure.

Selection of an independent arbitrator shall be from a panel designated in a side letter agreement between the parties. The arbitrator shall have the authority to determine the procedural rules of arbitration and to make such binding orders to act effectively. The record shall be closed at the end of the hearing unless the arbitrator orders to the contrary.

Is a Player entitled to his own medical records including right to medical care and treatment?

The Club shall provide each Player with a complete copy of his medical records at the time of his annual exit physical. The exit physical shall document all injuries that may require future medical or dental treatment either in the near future or post career. The Club shall remain responsible for the payment of medical and dental costs associated with treatment of such hockey-related injuries at a future date.

Players may seek treatment within 400 miles of his home territory, and has the right to seek a second medical opinion paid for by the Club.

Is a Membership Assistance Program available to CHL Players?

A counseling program to assist players with a wide variety of issues such as drug, alcohol, marriage, relationship, depression, financial, post concussion syndrome, and stress counseling program has been established by the League and the PHPA. This program is funded by the Clubs, and is a 24/7/365 service to all players.

Is a Career Enhancement Program available to CHL players?

Yes, through the PHPA’s Career Enhancement Program, players may enroll in up to two (2) courses per year, and will be reimbursed up to $400 per course (maximum of 2 courses per year), provided a B (3.0 GPA) average is maintained.

Will a Strike or Lockout occur during the term of this CBA?

There shall at no time during the term of this Agreement be any strikes, walkouts, or the use of any method of lockout.

How long is the All-Star Break?

There shall be no travel, practices, regular season games, player appearances or promotions during the three (3) day All-Star Event Break. At least seventy-two (72) hours shall pass before having to travel to or practice for a Regular Season game.

How long is the Christmas Break?

There shall be no travel, practices, regular season games, player appearances or promotions for at least seventy-two (72) before having to travel to or practice for a Regular Season game. Except for the Wichita at Tulsa Christmas Day Game (Tulsa takes over historic game hosted by Oklahoma in the past).

How much Bereavement Leave do players receive?

In the event of a death of an immediate family member of a Player, the Player shall be entitled to up to six (6) days leave with pay. Furthermore, the team may furnish the Player and Spouse with a round-trip ticket from the playing city to the location of the funeral.

Is equipment provided to CHL Players?

The team shall provide Players who begin the Season on the Active Roster or who are on a CHL Active Roster for a minimum of forty-five (45) consecutive days during the Season the following equipment:

For Players other than goaltenders:

• standard protective equipment
• sticks
• at least one (1) pair of skates

For goaltenders:

• standard protective equipment
• sticks
• a serviceable mask
• at least one (1) pair of skates.

Are players provided with lodging?

Players who choose to live in team provided accommodations will have their rent and utilities fully paid in a fully furnished apartment. For players who own their homes, they will be entitled to have all reasonable utilities paid, $700 housing payment if married, $400 housing payment if single. The team may also provide cable, internet, and phone. Players living in their own apartment (not provided by the team) will receive half of the daily rate of a 2 bedroom team provided accommodations, with utilities paid.

How is the allocation of the playoff pool determined?

Any Player participating in the playoffs or on the club's injured reserve continues to get paid salary. The Playoff Pool is payment in addition to Salary, paid by the team from the required contributions of all CHL teams participating in the Playoffs. Each team shall pay for twenty (20) shares for distribution among the Players on the Active Roster within fourteen (14) days of the final game. The breakdown is as follows:

• 1st round elimination - $50 US / player
• 2nd round elimination - $270 US / player
• 3rd round elimination - $440 US / player
• 4th round elimination - $675 US / player
• Champion - $1,200 US / player

Do players get paid for playing in exhibition games during the regular season?

Yes, each player will receive $100 US for participating in an exhibition game that is scheduled during the regular season. Note: this does not include exhibition games prior to the start of the regular season.

Do CHL players have Workers’ Compensation Rights?

Yes, through the Standard Players Contract and Collective Agreement, CHL Players injured during the course of their employment will see their Workers’ Compensation rights protected. Players will receive full salary during the period of injury which is not an advance of any Workers’ Compensation payments.

What is the Player Hardship Fund?

The teams and League will continue to assist in a reasonable manner with Player Hardship issues for current and former CHL players. This assistance may include donations, fundraisers, auctions, etc., which would not violate any compliance guidelines. No set minimum or maximum will be imposed.