At the start of each hockey season, Larry Landon, Executive Director of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) and Benefits Administrator, Paulette Salewski travel across Canada and the United States to meet with players from each American Hockey League and ECHL team, educating over 1600 PHPA Members across 58 teams about what their union does for them.  Although the annual Fall Enrollment Tour typically takes 8 – 10 weeks to complete, it is an essential component of the services provided to PHPA Members.

During each team presentation, which are about 90 minutes in length, players are given a brief history and overview of the PHPA, an in-depth analysis of the health benefits and insurance programs afforded to PHPA Members and their families.  Players are also introduced to the variety of programs offered through their Association such as the Career Enhancement Program, Membership Assistance Program, corporate partnerships including the new Meridian Visa affinity card available exclusively for PHPA Members and Alumni, and delve into topics which impact players across the sport. 

Entering the fourth and final year of the collective bargaining agreement between the PHPA and AHL, players are provided with an overview of the key terms within their CBA and will be asked for their input regarding the issues that matter most to them ahead of formal negotiations with the League.  ECHL players are provided with an overview of the terms negotiated in their new five year agreement.

“Players need to be aware of what their Association does for them and their families, and know that they have a very experienced and dedicated staff at their disposal,” said PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon.  “We educate and inform our Members about their union, so when they eventually reach the NHL (nearly 90% of current NHL players were at one time PHPA Members) and become NHLPA Members, they are fully acclimated to a unionized environment.”

“The face-to-face interaction with players helps us keep our fingers on the pulse of what is going on, while bringing players up to speed on all aspects of the PHPA and their respective Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as what is going on throughout the professional hockey landscape.”

Perhaps the most anticipated part of the meeting for players is the distribution of new PHPA ‘swag’.  This year, players will receive PHPA branded hats and t-shirts produced by Brand Blvd.

With the hockey landscape facing some uncertainty surrounding the NHL-NHLPA CBA it will be an important year for players to be kept informed and well prepared, making this year’s Fall Enrollment Tour a significant event on each team’s calendar.