Canada-Based Junior Hockey Leagues Forming Players Union

The Canadian Hockey League Players Association, a union to represent Canada's 1,500 major junior A players, "has been in the planning stages for 14 months and is about to go public." Spokesperson Derek Clarke said that a full-time Exec Dir "could be named" as early as today, "which is when the organization will outline its plans to try to certify itself" in Canada and the U.S. The CHLPA said that it "hopes to provide better representation for the players" in their dealings with the CHL and Hockey Canada (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/21).

A statement indicated that the CHLPA was "officially formed Aug. 9 at a meeting in Montreal where players from all three CHL leagues – the OHL, QMJHL and WHL – adopted a constitution." A BOD was elected "and a bargaining committee struck" (PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER, 8/21).