NHL lockout 2012: Fault of the players or professionals?
It is the middle of November and
for Canadians across the country,
we are in a state of mourning. No,
we are not mourning the loss of a
person, but a national pastime.
Since I was young, I always
enjoyed watching the National
Hockey League. It is a great organization
that has provided many
countless hours of entertainment,
shock, despair, debate and dreams.
Many Canadian parents who get their children involved with little league hockey generally share the same passion: to try to get their child to become a player in the NHL. Though the odds are extremely slim that every child that plays Junior B, A or OHL will make it to the big time, a lot of parents invest a huge amount of money, time and sleepless nights to help their children reach their dreams of financial security and athletic prowess in the NHL.
The last lockout in the NHL occurred only eight years ago during the 2004/05 season and caused the entire season to pass without one game being played. The lockout resulted in 1,230 cancelled games and lasted from September 26, 2004 to July 13, 2005. It was also supposed to be the 88th season of the National Hockey League and was the very first season to not award a Stanley Cup since 1919.
Recently, the NHLPA and the NHL have been meeting repeatedly to sort out the issues between the two organizations that have left hockey fans looking for other methods of entertainment. On a lighter note, the Hockey Hall of Fame was on display a few days ago and included new inductees Mats Sundin, who became a star in Toronto; Joe Sakic, who led the Colorado Avalanche to multiple Stanley Cup victories; Vancouver Canucks legend Pavel Bure; and Weston, Ontario's own Adam Oates.
As of mid-November, negotiations to settle on a collective bargaining agreement have yet to introduce any results, good or bad, for hockey fans.
Sidney Crosby has been quoted as saying, "the question I'd ask is why would we change that? I think we all think it's the most competitive league in the world, so why would you go and change that — the way contracts go and the way teams can operate?" He has a point. The entire discussion revolves around the NHL's desire for the players to take a smaller cut than before with regards to revenue splitting of arena ticket sales and concessions.
Steve Fehr, special counsel to the NHLPA, said he expects the collective bargaining issue to be resolved fairly soon. On November 12, he said it may only take a few days to sort the whole ordeal and have a deal for the players to come back and play a reduced season.
In conclusion, this hockey fan truly hopes there is an end to this soon so we can all enjoy getting together with family and friends to listen to the beautiful rants of Don Cherry, the visionary, and to see the lightning-quick action only seen in the NHL.
Many Canadian parents who get their children involved with little league hockey generally share the same passion: to try to get their child to become a player in the NHL. Though the odds are extremely slim that every child that plays Junior B, A or OHL will make it to the big time, a lot of parents invest a huge amount of money, time and sleepless nights to help their children reach their dreams of financial security and athletic prowess in the NHL.
The last lockout in the NHL occurred only eight years ago during the 2004/05 season and caused the entire season to pass without one game being played. The lockout resulted in 1,230 cancelled games and lasted from September 26, 2004 to July 13, 2005. It was also supposed to be the 88th season of the National Hockey League and was the very first season to not award a Stanley Cup since 1919.
Recently, the NHLPA and the NHL have been meeting repeatedly to sort out the issues between the two organizations that have left hockey fans looking for other methods of entertainment. On a lighter note, the Hockey Hall of Fame was on display a few days ago and included new inductees Mats Sundin, who became a star in Toronto; Joe Sakic, who led the Colorado Avalanche to multiple Stanley Cup victories; Vancouver Canucks legend Pavel Bure; and Weston, Ontario's own Adam Oates.
As of mid-November, negotiations to settle on a collective bargaining agreement have yet to introduce any results, good or bad, for hockey fans.
Sidney Crosby has been quoted as saying, "the question I'd ask is why would we change that? I think we all think it's the most competitive league in the world, so why would you go and change that — the way contracts go and the way teams can operate?" He has a point. The entire discussion revolves around the NHL's desire for the players to take a smaller cut than before with regards to revenue splitting of arena ticket sales and concessions.
Steve Fehr, special counsel to the NHLPA, said he expects the collective bargaining issue to be resolved fairly soon. On November 12, he said it may only take a few days to sort the whole ordeal and have a deal for the players to come back and play a reduced season.
In conclusion, this hockey fan truly hopes there is an end to this soon so we can all enjoy getting together with family and friends to listen to the beautiful rants of Don Cherry, the visionary, and to see the lightning-quick action only seen in the NHL.
