It sounds like the ECHL may be shutting down

The PHPA (Professional Hockey Players Association) has released a statement on behalf of the ECHL's players with the express purpose of applying pressure to the league to resume collective bargaining.

The ECHL players contend that the league has dragged its heels on negotiating going back to January, 2025 and that both sides deserve a fair resolution.

From the ECHL players:

In short here are the players' concerns:

• The ECHL doesn't allow its players to choose their own equipment
• The ECHL doesn't allow its player to take a holiday break
• The ECHL claims that a 9 hour bus ride between cities constitutes a "day off"
• The ECHL is circumventing the union in CBA negotiations

There are rumors circulating around the hockey world social media world that the ECHL players plan to strike on December 26th. If indeed that's the case, it could shutter the league for the entire season. The ECHL's future beyond that is obviously very murky.