It's official: The ECHL is here to stay!

This just in, the PHPA and the ECHL have ratified a new five year collective bargaining agreement that will deliver stability to the league and its players through 2030.

“This agreement reflects the unity, resolve, professionalism and discipline of our members throughout this process,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay in a prepared statement. “Meaningful progress was made in several key areas identified as priorities by our members, and this outcome would not have been possible without their engagement and support. On behalf of the PHPA, I want to thank our Bargaining Committee, our ECHL membership, and the PHPA staff for their work in reaching this agreement, as well as our brothers and sisters from the AFLCIO, NHLPA, PWHLPA, NFLPA, CFLPA and labor organizations from across North America for their unwavering support.”

The ECHL player had been on strike since December 26th, citing health and safety shortcomings on the part of the league's teams. In particular, players claimed that the league was providing them with inadequate equipment and that the league wasn't providing players with enough time off during the season.

Players will now report to their teams in good faith and prepare to return to play.