NHL execs "received a warm reception from Liberal MPs
yesterday when they met to discuss government assistance to
Canadian pro hockey franchises," according to Nick Forster
of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. MPs met with NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman, Senators Chair Rod Bryden, Maple Leafs President
Ken Dryden, Flames Vice Chair Harley Hotchkiss and Canadiens
President Ronald Corey. MP Alex Shepard "said the Liberals
were interested in keeping the sport alive in Canada and
will 'make recommendations both to the cabinet and to the
prime minister'" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 3/26). In Ottawa, Steve
Erwin writes that NHL "heavy hitters took their best shot in
a plea for tax concessions," but "whether they came away
with enough support to sway cabinet into action remains
unclear." Bettman: "We had a very good dialogue and the
process continues." Industry Minister John Manley did not
attend the meeting, but said the government is still
formulating "an appropriate response" (OTTAWA SUN, 3/26).
Bettman, on Bryden saying he will relocate his franchise if
there is no tax relief: "I have no reason to believe that
Rod doesn't mean it." Manley: "I think that hockey is
important to Canadians, I've said that we will look at it,
we're doing so. They make a compelling case, we don't want
to lose teams from Canada if Canadians think it's important.
... but we're not yet at the point of saying that we're the
answer to that problem." On Thursday, Reform Party Leader
Preston Manning said he will not support tax relief for
teams. Manning: "It's not just hockey teams that are
leaving Canada, it's young people and other companies that
are leaving Canada as well" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/26).
A BALANCE: Ken Dryden said that the issue for Canadian
clubs is more than "survival," and that teams must be able
to be financially competitive. He noted that Canadian teams
won the Stanley Cup nine times in the '60s, six times in the
'70s, six times in the '80s, but "only twice" in the '90s.
Dryden: "Does it matter that Canadian teams not only
survive, but also compete for a Stanley Cup?" But Dryden
"conceded that the Maple Leafs are not interested in seeing
a revenue-sharing system ... because of the different costs
of the franchises" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/26). Dryden: "There is
a distinction to be made between survival and being highly
competitive." In Toronto, Tim Harper writes that Dryden
"appeared to raise the stakes yesterday," but that Manley
"appeared unmoved" (TORONTO STAR, 3/26).
CALGARY DRAFT: In Calgary, George Johnson notes sources
stating that the NHL's 2000 Entry Draft will be held at the
Canadian Airlines Saddledome. An official announcement
could come this morning. Estimates have the draft having an
economic impact of more than C$4M (CALGARY SUN, 3/26).
