The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) recently hosted it’s 48^th Annual Meeting of Player Representatives at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL where over 100 attendees comprised of PHPA Player Representatives, Executive Committee Members, staff, Advisors, and other special guests took part in the opportunity to review the past year, plan for the upcoming season, as well as provide input and direction with respect to the Association’s strategic plan. 

During the meetings, one Player Representative from each American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL team participate in open discussion on a variety of Collective Bargaining and other League and PHPA issues. 

PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon presented a Year in Review and provided analysis of select disputes and grievances which occurred throughout the year.  PHPA General Counsel Ron Jaros and Legal Counsel Bob Riley provided players with a look at how the ECHL-CHL Consolidation transpired and the implication on the sport, as well as some challenges which may lie ahead throughout the coming year.

Darryl Dionne, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Business Development provided players with an in-depth look into the business operations of the PHPA including digital and social media marketing initiatives, communications, corporate partnerships, licensing activity, community relations, retail, special projects, and other player programs.

During an interactive forum, PHPA Hockey Operations staff lead an in-depth workshop for AHL players on the AHL-PHPA collective bargaining agreement seeking input and direction from players as the League and PHPA negotiate a successor agreement this off-season.

Senior Advisor to the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), Richard Berthelsen, along with NFLPA General Counsel Tom DePaso moderated a panel of PHPA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys including Jim Aven, Ben Boscolo, Mark Floyd, Gerry Herz, and Bert Villarini, Richard Wagenheim, and Barbara Wagner.  Panel members help educate all players about the workers compensation process for professional athletes and the importance of reporting and documenting injuries when they occur.  The panel discussion also included Duane Lewis from Willis of Texas. 

AHL President and CEO, Dave Andrews as well as ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna provided their annual “State of the League” addresses.

Other guest speakers and presentations included:

• “US Immigration for the Professional Hockey Player and Their Family” – Joe Kirkwood from Leibl and Kirkwood
• “Taxation for the Professional Athlete” – Mark Paluczak from BDO International
• “Personal Brand Building and Social Media Strategy for Players” – Steve Katzman, PHPA Advisor
• “Analytics; The Value Behind the Data” – Baron Bedesky, PHPA Coordinator of Player Research & Relations
• “Career Enhancement Program” – Rick Gorman, PHPA Coordinator of the CEP

The week was capped off with a closing banquet that featured the presentation of the 2015 PHPA Curt Leichner Distinguished Member Award to Karen Bender as well as a performance from world renowned hypnotist Danny Zzzz!

Click here to view a Social Media re-cap of the 2015 Annual Meeting of Player Representatives.

The PHPA sincerely appreciates the contributions of presenting sponsors BFL CANADA Risk & Insurance Services Inc., Sutton Special Risk, Meritain Health, IOA, Ceridian, Programmed Insurance Brokers (PIB), and Stone Carlie, allowing the PHPA to host a professional and informative meeting for all players and their families which help guide the Association for the coming years.