Karen Bender, who served as the Executive Secretary of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) from 1978 – 1993 has been named the 2015 recipient of the PHPA Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award, as voted by the PHPA player Executive Committee.

Named in honor of former PHPA Executive Director, Curt Leichner, the Award is presented annually to a member of the hockey community who has made significant contributions towards the advancement of professional minor league hockey, and has continued to diligently serve the sport. 

During her tenure with the PHPA, Bender held many responsibilities including organizing the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives, coordinating the annual Fall Enrollment Tour, while maintaining the rigorous day-to-day operations of the PHPA such as recording all player transactions (over 5000 per year) and dues invoicing in an era before computers, fax machines, email, internet, and electronic database filing. 

She served in the role until Leichner’s retirement in 1993 when the PHPA office was relocated to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada from Leichner’s Portland, Oregon law office.

“I applied to a want ad in the newspaper for a sports law legal secretary, thinking it might be a job with the Portland Trailblazers,” joked Bender.  “I never thought it would lead me down this path, where I was so fortunate to meet many great people along the way.”

As Leichner maintained his legal practice while simultaneously serving as PHPA Executive Director, Bender was tasked with much of the day-to-day responsibilities and interaction with players and their spouses.

“I worked a lot on the Collective Bargaining Agreements, specifically with accounting and financial issues such as travel allowances and per-diem, as well as the pension plan.  I remember setting up the annual Fall Enrollment Tours where Curt would travel to 15-18 cities in 9 days at times to meet with players.  Those team meetings were not always well accepted by owners and league officials at the time.”

What makes Bender’s role with the PHPA even more impressive was the sheer volume of work she was responsible for such as recording every player transaction, accounting and bookkeeping, dues invoicing, recording meeting minutes, assisting with the administration of the benefits and pension plan, while fielding calls from players.  

“In 1978, everything was done by hand.  Notes and accounting documentation were written on carbon paper which was hard for accounting purposes, and letters had to be typed on the typewriter.  It wasn’t until 1983 when the PHPA finally got a computer.” 

As Leichner pondered retirement, he and Bender would frequently discuss potential successors for the Executive Director position.  They sought a young, energetic person who truly cared about the PHPA and the well being of the players. 

“When Curt and I talked about who would succeed him, the answer always came back to Larry Landon.” 

Landon had served as a PHPA Player Representative since his rookie year in 1981 with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs at the behest of his coach John Brophy.  He was a vocal member of the PHPA Executive Committee, and had been working part-time with the Association since 1986.

“Curt cared a lot about the game of hockey, the players and their families, and was wonderful to work for.  He knew Larry understood family values which was extremely important.  I know Curt cared dearly for what Larry was accomplishing as Executive Director.” 

Landon mentored under Leichner for two years beginning in 1991 as Deputy Executive Director before assuming the Executive Director’s role in 1993.  Once he officially took over as Executive Director, the PHPA office relocated to Landon’s hometown of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada as the PHPA had been headquartered out of Leichner’s Portland, Oregon law office.

Bender was presented the opportunity to keep her position with the PHPA and relocate to Niagara Falls, but declined. 

“I was blessed to work for such great people.  I have very fond and fun memories of my time at the PHPA.  I loved working in the hockey world, so it was bittersweet when it was time to move on and say good-bye to the PHPA.” 

“My finest memory was from the time I attended the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives in 1987 in Mexico.  My husband, Bob, and I were recently engaged at the time, and Curt introduced us in front of the entire crowd, congratulating us on our engagement.  Curt and his wife took me under their wing, and always looked out for me, which is why I am so deeply honored to be receiving this Award in his name.”

Since leaving the PHPA, Bender has remained in Portland where she raised a son and a daughter, while continuing to work and volunteer in the community. 

She will be presented with the Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award this June during the closing banquet at the 2015 PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives, where she will recount some of her favorite memories from her tenure with the PHPA.

“I know Curt would be thrilled and happy with all the great work Larry and the PHPA have done and continue to do.  I never expected to be part of such an honor and I am sincerely humbled.  It is truly gratifying to know that my hard work and effort so many years ago have been recognized and were appreciated.”