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 agreement is two (2) years in duration, beginning October 1, 2010, to May 31, 2012 with a provision to commence negotiations towards a successor agreement no later than January 31, 2012.

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 2010-11 season will be $10,200 per week, plus 50% of the salary of one (1) exemption player.

During the 2011-12 season the Salary Cap will be $10,650 per week, plus 50% of 1 exemption player (The League will have the option to go to a flat cap of $11,000 per week).

Is there a Salary Floor?

Yes. The Salary Floor is the minimum total salary paid by a team to Players on the Active Roster. For the 2010-11 season, this amount will be $8,200 per week.

For the 2011-12 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 during the 2010-11 season is $335/week if that player has played in 25 or less professional games, or $375/week for players who have played in 26 or more games professional games.

For the 2011-12 season, these amounts will increase to $345/week for players who have played in 25 or less professional games, and $390 for players who have played in 26 or more 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 playing city in excess of 25 miles for the purpose of participating in a practice, regular season, or post-season game during the 2010-11 season is $30 per day. Meal allowance times will be: 9am for breakfast ($6), 1pm for lunch ($9), and 7pm for dinner ($15).

For every five (5) consecutive days on the road, the team is required to provide an additional $15 (or meal of equivalent value) for dinner in addition to the payments above.

Clubs are also encouraged to provide a meal for the visiting team after a game.

For the 2011-12 season, the per diem amount will increase to $31 per day. Meal allowance times will be: 9am for breakfast ($6), 1pm for lunch ($9), and 7pm for dinner ($16).

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

A Veteran shall mean a Player, other than a goaltender, who has played in 301 or more regular season games of professional hockey (including NHL, AHL, CHL, ECHL, IHL, UHL, or European professional games in equivalent Leagues).

For the 2010-11 season, each team shall be limited to five (5) Veterans (goaltenders exempt), plus one (1) returning Veteran from the previous season on the Clubs Season Ending Roster.

The Veteran rule will be reviewable after the 2010-11 season to include the addition of two (2) NHL/AHL SPC Veteran exemptions per team.

What is the Reserve System?

Each team reserves the rights to all Players on its Protected List during the Season until 11:59 PM EST on July 2 (2010-11) and June 10 (2011-12). No player on a team’s Season Ending Roster shall be traded by a Club after such dates/times listed above for each respective season. At this time, all trades from the previous season, including trades for future considerations, shall be considered final.

For 2010-11, 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. The date for which any Player must have received his Qualifying Offers for the 2010-11 season was July 8.

For the 2011-12 season, teams will still be able to Qualify eight (8) Players, four (4) of which may be returning Veterans. The date by which Players must receive their Qualifying Offer is July 1. Any Veteran Player who is Qualified and subsequently released prior to or less than two (2) weeks into the season shall receive prorated release costs equal to two (2) weeks salary (This does not apply to the 2010-11 season).

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 making 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 (or the maximum weight allowance by the airline). All other baggage must be shipped via ground transportation and pre-approved by the Club. (All travel arrangements, including flights, must be pre-approved by the Club).

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 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 will be fully paid by the Club.

For the 2011-12 season, insurance coverage will be extended 21 days past the Club’s last game.

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 request their medical records from the Club at any time.

A Player may seek treatment within 400 miles of his Clubs 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 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. All courses must begin no later than February 1 of that playing season.

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, for at least seventy-two (72) hours 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 (with the exception of the Wichita-Tulsa Christmas Day tradition game), player appearances or promotions for at least seventy-two (72) hours before having to travel to or practice for a Regular Season game.

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 airline ticket from the playing city to the location of the funeral.

How does Personal Leave work?

Personal Leave can be utilized for a number of personal issues, such as family issues, birth of a child, etc. Clubs have the option to grant personal leave to a Player on a case by case basis and the personal leave must be approved by the Player, Club, and CHL. Players will continue to receive salary while on personal leave, and this salary may not count toward the Club’s salary cap during the period of leave.

Is equipment provided to CHL Players?

The team shall provide Players who are on an Active Roster for a minimum of forty-five (45) 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. Players who own their own homes, will be entitled to have all reasonable utilities paid, and receive $700 housing payment if married, or $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 advertised rate of a two (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 will continue to be 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 twenty-one (21) days of the final game. The breakdown is as follows:

2010-11

• 1st round elimination - $100 per player
• 2nd round elimination - $280 per player
• 3rd round elimination - $475 per player
• 4th round elimination - $725 per player
• Champion - $1,375 per player

2011-12

• 1st round elimination - $100 per player
• 2nd round elimination - $300 per player
• 3rd round elimination - $500 per player
• 4th round elimination - $750 per player
• Champion - $1,450 per player

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

Yes. Each Player will receive $100 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 Bargaining 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, League, and PHPA 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.

How far can a team travel to a game without having to stay overnight?

Clubs can travel up to 400 miles on the day of a game. However, if the distance to the game is greater than 400 miles, Clubs must depart the night before and stay in a hotel or utilize an acceptable sleeper bus.

How many spots are available on a team’s Injured Reserve?

Each team will have three (3) ten (10) day injured reserve slots, as well as two (2) thirty (30) day slots. There are also slots reserved for season ending injuries. This will be reviewed after the 2010-11 season.

Is there any bonus for finishing the regular season in first-place?

Yes. Teams who finish first overall in their respective conference will receive $1,500 to distribute evenly amongst the Players. Furthermore, the Club that finishes first overall in the League will receive an additional $3,000 to distribute evenly amongst the Players.