The NHLPA is "concerned" about a growing trend among
player agents to recruit 13-and 14-year-old players and "is
monitoring the situation," according to Alan Adams of the
TORONTO STAR, in a follow-up to his Sunday feature on hockey
agents. The NHLPA's J.P. Barry: "It hasn't been brought up
to the player reps (who meet in the summer), but we have
been monitoring and watching the amount of recruitment."
Barry added that the union "would impose age restrictions
and sanctions against agents who broke the rules only if NHL
players wanted it done" (TORONTO STAR, 3/24).
NOTES: In Philadelphia, Rich Hoffman writes that an NHL
owner "salivates over the playoffs. For some teams, the
difference between losing money and breaking even is the
playoffs. For other teams, the difference between breaking
even and making a good buck is the playoffs." Hoffman adds
that the Flyers "probably" earn $1.5M per home playoff game
(PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/24)....Hawks Owner Bill Wirtz,
on the league stopping play during the Olympics: "I was
raised that you think of season-reservation holders first,
second and third. ... I believe in never demeaning the
regular season" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/22).
