Things turn ugly fast as ECHL players go on strike!

The ECHL is facing a labor standoff after players served a strike notice that went into effect Friday, halting games scheduled after the Christmas break. The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) says the league has ignored fair bargaining, while the ECHL claims it presented its “last, best, and final offer” for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Thirteen games were scheduled Friday, and most have already been postponed. Many statements from the teams have been released on social media:

Player agent Allan Walsh didn’t mince words, criticizing the league for “misinformation, bullying, and intimidation” and calling on the ECHL to return to the bargaining table in good faith.

“The misinformation, bullying and intimidation from the ECHL is like déjà vu all over again. Some advice for the ECHL. Instead of wasting your time whining, lying and threatening players, why don’t you get back in the room and bargain in good faith. Support the players!”

The league’s offer reportedly includes a 19.8-per-cent increase to this season’s salary cap, future raises totaling a 27-per-cent boost, mandatory days off, custom sticks, five-star helmets, and an increase in per diem. Despite these concessions, the PHPA has refused to accept, citing unfair bargaining practices including the league contacting players directly, a claim reportedly under review by the National Labor Relations Board.

Later on Friday, the PHPA released this statement and how it has commenced job action following the league’s ongoing unfair labour practices, including persistent threats, coercive conduct, and a refusal to bargain in good faith.

"The PHPA has just completed a player rep and leadership call, where members expressed their confidence in their bargaining committee and the process. All questions were answered, and up-to-date information was provided in real-time.

 The PHPA has identified the following key issues that remain unresolved: 

Travel Between Back-to-Back Games

The PHPA is seeking reasonable limitations on travel between games played on consecutive days in order to address player health and safety. 

Holiday Break

The PHPA has requested a league-wide break without travel on December 24, 25, and 26 each season to allow players to spend time with their families during the holidays.  

Guaranteed Contracts

The PHPA is requesting that teams and players be permitted, by mutual agreement, to guarantee contracts for a season to provide stability when players relocate and commit to a city. Such agreements would be optional for both parties and non-binding should a player move to another league. 

Health Benefits

The PHPA is seeking uninterrupted medical coverage during the off-season for qualified players who remain signed, restricted, or under contract, consistent with benefits provided to other full-time staff, rather than the current practice of terminating coverage between July and October.

Group Rights

The PHPA is seeking a standard group licensing framework consistent with other professional sports leagues, including reasonable limits on the use of players’ name, image, and likeness, wearable-technology medical data, and off-ice time commitments. 

Player Compensation

The PHPA is requesting a weekly salary cap of $19,500 for the 2025-26 season, with inflationary increases in subsequent years. This equates to an average weekly wage of $975 for players, who are compensated only during the hockey season. 

The ECHL has refused each of these requests. 

“We recognize how important ECHL hockey is to fans, families, and local communities. Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level. We remain ready to continue discussions with the league to reach a fair agreement,” said PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay. 

Ramsay continued, “Despite the union’s repeated efforts to meet and engage in bargaining, the league has continued to communicate directly with players in a manner that bypasses the union’s role as the exclusive bargaining representative. We continue to receive thousands of messages of overwhelming support from our great fans, brothers and sisters in sport, active and retired players, and communities in and out of the labor movement across North America. They stand with us.”

The ECHL, a North American developmental league two tiers below the NHL, features 30 teams across the U.S. and one in Canada. With the strike in effect, fans and players alike are left in limbo as the league’s season faces an uncertain restart.