Swedish Court Rules Hockey League Can Bar Clubs From Signing Locked-Out NHL Players

A Swedish court has ruled that "the Swedish Ice Hockey Association is allowed to prohibit Swedish professional hockey clubs from signing locked-out NHL players to short-term contracts," according to the DPA. The court, therefore, ruled against the decision of the Swedish Competition Authority that described such a ban as illegal. Swedish Hockey AB Chair Anders Hedin said, "We are very relieved about the court's decision." Hedin added that "the judges' decision strengthens the competition rules of the league." The Elitserien's ban on short-term contracts for locked-out NHL players is a preventive measure to avoid an unfairly shift of the league's competitive balance of power toward clubs that can afford to sign NHL players (DPA, 12/18).