A class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, New York argues that the NHL and CHL violate antitrust law. The suit – filed in part by the North American Division of the World Association of Icehockey Players Union (WAIPU) – argues that teenagers are, “involuntarily drafted, poorly compensated, and completely controlled” by CHL teams, crediting the exclusivity between the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL and full-time schedules for players as ways players are exploited. It further adds that the NHL supports these challenges through its annual payments to the leagues and specific parts of the NHL-CHL Transfer agreement.
The CHL told the Associated Press, “We have just been made aware of the complaint, filed by WAIPU, an organization that has not been certified to represent any CHL players… Until we can thoroughly review the document, we are unable to provide comment as to the legitimacy of its contents.” The NHL has so far declined to comment.
There is currently no collective bargaining agreement between CHL teams and players – something that the NHL, AHL, and ECHL all have. The nature of the suit draws comparison to recent movements from minor league baseball players and NCAA athletes, who have pushed for expanded supports and compensation. The NHL and CHL did not receive advanced notice of the suit before it was filed on Wednesday morning. University of Illinois labor law professor Michael LeRoy commented on the international status of the suit – which targets juniors teams in Canada and the U.S. – saying, “They’re doing business in the United States, and the end users of the most successful products are going to be, presumably, NHL hockey players both in the U.S. and Canada, I don’t think that’s a problem.”
Dead on arrival. Grifter born every second.
This was a long time coming. The NHL and CHL have taken advantage of young players for too long. They have a great chance of winning which means CHL and NHL will settle just like MLB had to for minor leaguers.
Worth noting is that WAIPU represents players in a number of international leagues that could reasonably be considered competitors to the NHL… Chiefly, the KHL, and a number of other European pro leagues. They’re based out of Switzerland, and despite having offices in North America, do not seem to represent the players of any pro leagues over here.
If I had to guess, I see this as a poor attempt to break up the proliferation of top talent within North America by stifling the development pipeline. Bold, but not likely to succeed.
Thanks for the insight across the pond. Was wondering where they were based and was even more confused to find them in Switzerland.
Now that’s funny. Though screw the junior leagues either way, specifically the CHL. Let players turn pro when they want to.
Its time for the NHL to cancel the CHL agreement wich is no interest for the league. Its also not in the interest of the players wich are too good to stay in the CHL until they are 20, its not good for their development, its time to attack this agreement from all sides in the good of the NHL and the development of CHL players.
Care to elaborate, Danny boy?
I found the WAIPU plant.
There’s only about 5-6 players that are good enough for that to impact each year. And we’re seeing some exemptions being granted now anyways. The NHL teams need the CHL for development for 98% of the players that come out of the league.
Meanwhile in trying to push the buttons..
“This is an egregious violation of antitrust laws that has enabled Defendants’ economic exploitation, as well as their well-documented physical and psychological abuse of major junior players.”
“To their great shame, the NHL not only enables the exploitation of children, but financially benefits from this system.”
link to prnewswire.com