Bob Goodenow, Former Director of the NHL Players’ Association, Dies
The ice hockey world mourns the loss of Bob Goodenow, former director of the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA). Goodenow passed away at the age of 72, as announced by the association itself on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the NHLPA reported that the organization received the news of the death through Goodenow’s wife, although the cause of his death is still unknown.
“Bob was an exceptionally influential leader whose unwavering commitment to the players helped shape the modern era of the NHLPA,” the association stated in a statement. “Bob quickly made his mark on the organization by raising the level of representation provided by the NHLPA staff, working tirelessly to educate the players, strengthening the membership, and building trust in the work of the office on behalf of the players.”
NHLPA
Goodenow led the NHLPA during several labor stoppages, including the 2004-05 one, which resulted in the cancellation of the entire season. He resigned later that summer.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in his remembrance of Goodenow, noted that he was a captain at Harvard and a player in the minor leagues before becoming an agent and working for the association for 14 years.
“Bob was a skilled lawyer and a tenacious advocate for the players he represented as an agent and as head of the Players’ Association,” Bettman said in a statement.
Goodenow became the second executive director of the NHLPA in 1992, replacing Alan Eagleson after he resigned amid fraud allegations.
He led the players through a 103-day work stoppage that lasted from October 1, 1994 to January 11, 1995, and shortened the season to 48 games.
The issue in question was the implementation of a salary cap, which the owners wanted and the players opposed. The issue resurfaced with the lockout that eliminated the 2004-05 NHL season.
The labor stoppage was resolved on July 13, 2005, with the implementation of a salary cap, as well as a minimum salary and the guarantee that players would receive 54% of the total NHL revenue.
Shortly after the agreement was reached, Goodenow was asked to resign as Executive Director of the NHLPA. He was replaced by Ted Saskin.
