Each Fall, PHPA Executive Director Larry Landon, and PHPA Benefits Administrator, Paulette Salewski travel across Canada and the United States to meet with players from each American Hockey League and ECHL team, educating approximately 1600 PHPA Members on what their union does for them.

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 programs afforded to PHPA Members and their families, introduced to the variety of programs offered through their Association (Career Enhancement Program, Membership Assistance Program, business relationships, etc.) and delve into topics which impact players across the sport.  

With a new four-year AHL – PHPA collective bargaining agreement recently announced, AHL players are being provided with an overview of new and enhanced provisions within their CBA. ECHL players, who are entering the third year of a 5-year collective bargaining agreement, are provided with a similar look at the various economic provisions contained within the agreement.

“Players need to be aware of what their Association does for them, 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 what their union does for them, so when they eventually reach the NHL (nearly 90% of current NHL players were at one time PHPA Members), they are fully acclimated to a unionized environment.”

The annual PHPA Fall Enrollment Tour typically takes 7 – 8 weeks to complete, and although tiring, it is an essential component of what the PHPA does for it’s Members. 

“You can’t beat face-to-face interaction with players.  It allows us to keep our finger 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.”

In what amounts to perhaps the players’ favorite part of the meeting, new PHPA swag is provided to each player.  This year, players will receive PHPA mesh caps from Old Time Hockey as well as PHPA puck-bottle openers produced by Athletica Sport Systems (for more on this year’s Fall player gifts please CLICK HERE).

With a vastly changed minor hockey landscape to mark the 2015-16 season including new teams in different markets, other teams transitioning to different leagues, and plenty of NHL affiliation changes, it is an essential year for players to be kept well informed and know their rights as professional hockey players.