Interim NHLPA Ombudsman Hargrove Latest To Resign From Union

Hargrove Says He Could No Longer Perform Duties

Former Canadian Auto Workers union chief Buzz Hargrove resigned from his position of interim NHLPA Ombudsman yesterday, saying in a letter to the hockey players union that under the current circumstances he could no longer perform his duties as outlined in the NHLPA's constitution. Hargrove, who served as interim ombudsman from March 1 until yesterday, said in a brief interview with SportsBusiness Journal that he resigned because surveillance conducted on his activities and restrictions placed on him by the recently appointed NHLPA review committee of four veteran NHL players made it impossible for him to do his job. "I had no worries of being forced out," Hargrove said. Hargrove is just the latest member of the NHLPA leadership to resign. General Counsel and interim Exec Dir Ian Penny and all the members of the NHLPA advisory board resigned in the last few weeks, after a review committee was established to probe the firing of former NHLPA Exe Dir Paul Kelly. Kelly, who was at odds with Penny, Hargrove and many members of the advisory board, was fired on Aug. 31. Hargrove told SportsBusiness Journal that since the review committee, made up of players Rob Blake, Chris Chelios, Nicklas Lidstrom and Mark Recchi, was appointed in late October, he and the people who want to make complaints to the Ombudsman have been under surveillance. He said the review committee put restrictions on his activities, including that if he receives a complaint he must "notify the review committee" of the identity of the person making the complaint. Additionally, he said there is surveillance to the point that the review committee was notified when he went to the NHLPA's HQs and when anyone would meet with him, "which makes it a poisoned atmosphere."

ON THE OUTS: The position of ombudsman was created as part of the new NHLPA constitution in '07 so that employees and players could voice complaints in the wake of the dismissal of former NHLPA Exec Dir Ted Saskin, who was fired after it was revealed that he was reading NHL players' private e-mails. Hargrove replaced former NHLer Eric Lindros, the NHLPA's original ombudsman, who resigned earlier this year, citing deep philosophical differences with Kelly. Prior to being named interim Ombudsman, Hargrove served as a member of the advisory board. In his letter, Hargrove said he enjoyed working with the former advisory board members who "collectively represented over 100 years of labour experience and over 100 years of business experience," as well as the Divisional Player Reps, all former hockey players, and longtime NHLPA activists, calling both groups "men of integrity." "I have come to the conclusion that I cannot under the current situation be effective in the role of the ombudsman or assist the leadership in building unity and solidarity that is necessary to move the NHLPA into the future," Hargrove wrote. "In spite of the fact I will no longer be with the NHLPA I will cooperate fully with any review approved by the executive board of my conduct during my thirteen months with the NHLPA," he wrote. Hargrove's resignation letter was delivered a few hours prior to another scheduled conference call of the NHLPA Executive Board of 30 player representatives, which was set to begin at 7:00pm ET last night (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).

Fehr Reportedly Asked To Advise Search Committee Looking For New NHLPA Exec Dir

OUTSIDE AID? In Toronto, Tony Van Alphen reports outgoing MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr yesterday on the conference call was "asked to help in the development of a new union constitution and to advise the search committee looking for a new" NHLPA Exec Dir. Also on the call, Chelios "fought off an attempt to have him removed" from the review committee (TORONTO STAR, 11/9). A source said of the review committee, "The question is: Who gave them the authority to basically take over the PA? Where did that come from?" Meanwhile, sources have said that there are "player agents involved in directing things behind the scenes while the NHLPA spins wildly out of control" (Allan Maki, GLOBESPORTS.com, 11/9).

CRACKS IN THE UNION: In Montreal, Red Fisher wrote the NHLPA "has disintegrated into an embarrassing and scary case of fratricidal warfare." It is "clear that what this group now desperately needs is someone at the top strong enough to right this sinking ship," and "what they need is someone with a hockey background who has played on both sides of the street" (Montreal GAZETTE, 11/7).