Former NHLPA director Bob Goodenow has died.

I have some unfortunate news to share this evening.

A report from National Hockey League insider Frank Seravalli has revealed that former director of the National Hockey League Players Association Bob Goodenow has passed away suddenly at the age of 72.

While Goodenow may not be a household name to more modern fans of the sport, he was very well known during one of the most controversial and difficult periods in the NHL's history, presiding over a pair of lockouts that changed the landscape of the sport that we love forever.

Goodenow was regarded as a fierce advocate for his players, immediately orchestrating a strike ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs during his first few months in the role and using two other labor disputes in an effort to get a better deal for his players. It was Goodenow who was at the helm of the NHLPA during the 2013 day lockout that occurred during the 1994-95 NHL season and it was Goodenow who was at the helm of the NHLPA during the 2004-05 labor dispute that resulted in an entire season being cancelled.

Goodenow would serve in his role until July 29th of 2005 when he was asked to step down and replaced by Ted Saskin as director of the NHLPA.

Goodenow not only had a major influence on the sport of hockey in North America but is credited as one of the central figures surrounding the founding of the Kontinental Hockey League as well. Goodenow was hired by Russian businessman Alexander Medvedev, who served as the first ever president of the KHL, and the two men helped usher in the KHL a little over a year after Goodenow's hiring.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, a long time opponent of Goodenow in the labor disputes, has released the following statement commemorating his old foe:

The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Bob Goodenow, a hockey man to his core who was a captain of the team at Harvard and played professionally in the IHL before serving as a player agent and as Executive Director of the NHL Players' Association for 14 years.

Bob was a skilled attorney and tenacious advocate for the players he represented as an agent and as the head of the Players' Association. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Wendy, their three children, Joe, Katharine and Kerry, and his many friends and admirers throughout hockey.

My most sincere condolences go out to the Goodenow family as well as all of Bob's friends and loved ones.