It's official, ECHL players walk out over unfair bargaining and dangerous conditions

UPDATE: It's official, the PHPA (Professional Hockey Players Association) has notified the ECHL that its players will go on strike effective December 26th.

PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay issued the following statement: 

“We have informed the ECHL that we are willing to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding matters. For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing. We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers. Our members have never been more united and remain ready to return to the bargaining table at any time. We sincerely hope the ECHL will engage in good-faith negotiations so a fair agreement can be reached and any disruption to the season can be avoided.”

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.

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.