The 2019 PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives took place at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida from June 17th to 21^st and featured several new and innovative presentations as 58 players from the American Hockey League and ECHL came together along with their families, to discuss and recommend solutions to hot button issues that impact players at all levels of the sport.

On the opening day of meetings, Player Reps heard a PHPA Year in Review presentation from Executive Director Larry Landon, remarks from Riley Weselowski on behalf of the PHPA Executive Committee,  recommendations from Mark Paluczak, a tax expert from BDO International, as well as how various grievances and disputes were handled and resolved by Hockey Operations staff throughout the season. 

The following day, Player Reps were provided a thorough overview of the Association’s financial statements and budget, an in-depth look at the PHPA business operations from the past year including key sponsorship and licensing programs, a new PHPA Visa card program through Meridian, plus new and enhanced communications initiatives.

The PHPA Career Enhancement Program, arguably the Association’s most popular non-collectively bargained player program, has seen significant growth in the past year thanks in part to new program Coordinator, Steve Carney.  Along with representatives from Athabasca University, Endicott College, and the unveiling of new partnerships with Oregon State University and Coldwell Banker, new continuing education programs for both current and former players (which has also been extended to include spouses and children), as well as the PHPA Sticks to Bricks initiative to help players transition to a post hockey career in the building trades were unveiled.

The day concluded with an outdoor Yoga Experience provided by Lululemon in which several players, spouses, and guests took part.  

Thursday’s meetings paid homage to PHPA past, as former PHPA Member and Principal at M Style Marketing Rob Striar who helped launch the PHPA Alumni Network this past Fall provided an update on the success and reach this initiative has had on not only its 7,600+ Alumni Members who are in regular communication with the PHPA, but the benefits the Alumni Network can also provide to current players.

Players also heard from Archie Henderson who received the 2019 Executive Director’s Honouring the Past Award in recognition for his involvement with the PHPA as a player, while Glenn Patrick, the 2019 recipient of the PHPA Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award helped educate players of the conditions players were subject to during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s during his tenure as a PHPA Player Representative and President of the Executive Committee.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion on the topic of workers’ compensation which involved three members of the PHPA Workers’ Compensation Panel of Attorneys, along with representatives from the NFLPA including Senior Legal Advisor and former Interim Executive Director, Richard Berthelsen. 

All attendees were invited to take part in the annual PHPA Golf Outing Presented by BFL CANADA Risk and Insurance Services, Inc. at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Course where all club rentals were complimentary courtesy of Sutton Special Risk.

The final day of meetings included official approval of the PHPA financial statements, an election for open positions on the PHPA Executive Committee, and year in review presentations from both Dave Andrews, President and CEO of the AHL, and ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin.  Following their presentations, AHL and ECHL players split into closed door meetings with their respective League leaders where any and all topics were open for discussion.  Many ideas brought forth by players during these breakout sessions over the years have been implemented at the league level.

That night, the Annual Meeting concluded with a Closing Banquet where the PHPA distributed the Golf Tournament Awards provided by BioSteel, presented the 2019 Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award to Glenn Patrick, and where Larry Landon was recognized by the Van Loan School at Endicott College as the recipient of its inaugural Sport Leadership Award.  The evening was capped off by another unforgettable performance that must be seen to be believed from world renowned hypnotist Danny Zzzz!

The PHPA sincerely thanks each and every one of its Presenting Partners including Meridian, M Style Marketing, BFL CANADA, Tidal Health Solutions, Meritain Health, Insurance Office of America (IOA), Sutton Special Risk, the NHLPA, Endicott College, BDO International, LifeWorks, Programmed Insurance Brokers, and each golf hole sponsor for their support, allowing the PHPA to host a professional and informative meeting experience, while helping shape the current and future landscape of professional hockey.