PHPA Press Releases
PHPA, ECHL Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement
By Darryl Dionne Published on: Thursday February 14, 2013
(Niagara Falls, ON / Princeton, NJ) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) and ECHL today announced the ratification of a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The terms of the CBA have been ratified by both the ECHL’s Board of Governors and overwhelming majority of ECHL players, taking effect July 1, 2013.
The agreement has been modified to include dental coverage for ECHL players and their families, allow for increases to the Salary Cap, minimum salary, per-diem, regular season finish money and first in Conference.
Other provisions negotiated include a $750 per team per year contribution towards the Career Enhancement Program, protection of the number of veteran jobs (4 veterans per team) during the entire term, introduction of a rookie salary structure, the addition of a Player / Assistant Coach position allowing each team with one such designation, an extra week added to the regular season, an extra roster slot for 30 days at the beginning of each season, and the creation of a Qualifying Offer provision where every ECHL player who has played 40 or more professional games receives a minimum 5% salary increase in order for the team to retain his rights.
Other areas of enhancement include travel reimbursement, in season moving, and language revisions to ensure various obligations are met.
“We feel this agreement will serve to be the start of sustained stability at the ‘AA’ level of our storied sport,” said Larry Landon, Executive Director of the PHPA. “It protects gains made throughout the years, provides enhancements for players and their families, and provides cost certainty, positioning the League for possible future expansion.”
“We are pleased to have negotiated what we feel is a fair deal for both our players and owners,” said Brian McKenna, ECHL Commissioner. “In addition, having a long-term deal in place well in advance of the expiration of the current deal allows all parties the opportunity to plan for the future.”
