According to multiple online reports, the USHL's Omaha Lancers players are planning to boycott their upcoming games this weekend in protest of cost cutting measures that the team's ownership has enacted.
Grand Forks Herald journalist Brad Elliott Schlossman reports that the Lancers have slashed their budgets, cutting everything from video software to post-game meals. They fired head coach Chadd Cassidy and then asked him to coach last weekend's games and reportedly asked an injured player to temporarily fill a vacant coaching position.
More from Schlossman:
Schlossman goes on to report that the remaining staff members are resigning in droves and that the team could be without any staff members come this weekend. Assistant GM Jeff Cox, interim head coach Sean Walsh, assistant coach Tate Maris and head trainer Nick Hart have all handed in their resignation after team president David DeLuca had a blow up argument with Walsh earlier today.
Again from Schlossman:
All of this has forced the USHL to issue a statement saying that they are "actively working to resolve" the matter.
Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News and Sports Illustrated reports that players are being forced to pay for their own meals on the road and are being nickel and dimed over equipment like sticks and hockey tape.
More from Kennedy:
At the center of the controversy are reported budget cuts by the franchise that led to players not having road meals paid for - something that is standard across the top American junior league. On top of that, players were allegedly forced to pay for their own hockey sticks and tape - again, the standard in the USHL.
- Ryan Kennedy
Really? You can't shell out a few bucks for a roll of stick tape?
Obviously, there's got to be more at play here but all signs are pointing toward a big time controversy for the USHL this weekend unless someone steps up to make things right.
