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07-29-2005, 02:54 AM
Canadian Press
7/28/2005 12:31:07 PM
TORONTO (CP) - One week a week after ratifying the NHL's labour deal, the NHL Players' Association announced Thursday that union boss Bob Goodenow is stepping down.
The hard-nosed NHLPA executive director had three years remaining on a contract that reportedly paid him $2.5 million US a year.
Ted Saskin, the NHLPA's senior director of business affairs and licensing, will succeed Goodenow as executive director and general counsel.
Saskin served as the union's lead negotiator on the labour deal, sparring with Bill Daly of the NHL.
"With the conclusion of the negotiations and the ratification of the new agreement, the parties concur that this is an appropriate action for the future," Goodenow said in a statement. "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the players over the past 15 years and to have had the support of a tremendous staff at the NHLPA. I wish the players every success under the new CBA."
It is widely believed that the new labour deal, with its salary cap and linkage to league revenues, was not favoured by Goodenow.
But as the lockout wiped out the entire 2004-05 season, players made their voices heard. NHLPA president Trevor Linden stepped in and the union returned to the bargaining table ready to negotiate
In its statement announcing Goodenow's departure, the NHLPA said: "This decision followed discussions between Goodenow and members of the executive committee about the organization's future."
Still, Goodenow did not sound like a man about to quit when he sat alongside commissioner Gary Bettman last Thursday as a news conference in Toronto announcing the players' ratification of the labour deal.
"There's been some reports and speculation (about the future) and that goes with the territory," Goodenow said at the time. "But I enjoy my work, I have a contract and I intend to abide by it certainly."
Linden spoke warmly of Goodenow in the statement announcing his departure.
"Every NHL player has benefited enormously from Bob's leadership and dedication. He has been a tireless advocate for the players and he dramatically improved the players' situation in every respect. Bob built the NHLPA into a first-class organization and we are all very grateful to him."
Linden also praised Saskin in Thursday's statement.
"Ted has worked closely with Bob every step of the way and has done an excellent job for the players in our recently concluded CBA negotiations. We have every confidence that he will be able to lead our association well in the years to come."
The moves mean both of the lead negotiators in the labour deal have been promoted: Saskin to executive director and Daly to deputy commissioner.
7/28/2005 12:31:07 PM
TORONTO (CP) - One week a week after ratifying the NHL's labour deal, the NHL Players' Association announced Thursday that union boss Bob Goodenow is stepping down.
The hard-nosed NHLPA executive director had three years remaining on a contract that reportedly paid him $2.5 million US a year.
Ted Saskin, the NHLPA's senior director of business affairs and licensing, will succeed Goodenow as executive director and general counsel.
Saskin served as the union's lead negotiator on the labour deal, sparring with Bill Daly of the NHL.
"With the conclusion of the negotiations and the ratification of the new agreement, the parties concur that this is an appropriate action for the future," Goodenow said in a statement. "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the players over the past 15 years and to have had the support of a tremendous staff at the NHLPA. I wish the players every success under the new CBA."
It is widely believed that the new labour deal, with its salary cap and linkage to league revenues, was not favoured by Goodenow.
But as the lockout wiped out the entire 2004-05 season, players made their voices heard. NHLPA president Trevor Linden stepped in and the union returned to the bargaining table ready to negotiate
In its statement announcing Goodenow's departure, the NHLPA said: "This decision followed discussions between Goodenow and members of the executive committee about the organization's future."
Still, Goodenow did not sound like a man about to quit when he sat alongside commissioner Gary Bettman last Thursday as a news conference in Toronto announcing the players' ratification of the labour deal.
"There's been some reports and speculation (about the future) and that goes with the territory," Goodenow said at the time. "But I enjoy my work, I have a contract and I intend to abide by it certainly."
Linden spoke warmly of Goodenow in the statement announcing his departure.
"Every NHL player has benefited enormously from Bob's leadership and dedication. He has been a tireless advocate for the players and he dramatically improved the players' situation in every respect. Bob built the NHLPA into a first-class organization and we are all very grateful to him."
Linden also praised Saskin in Thursday's statement.
"Ted has worked closely with Bob every step of the way and has done an excellent job for the players in our recently concluded CBA negotiations. We have every confidence that he will be able to lead our association well in the years to come."
The moves mean both of the lead negotiators in the labour deal have been promoted: Saskin to executive director and Daly to deputy commissioner.