Larry Landon, Executive Director of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) since 1993, who has already earned a number of accolades and distinctions throughout his on-ice and off-ice hockey career, can now officially add ‘Hall of Famer’ to his resume.

On Sunday, January 24^th, in front of a packed auditorium at the Bob Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Landon was recognized for his contributions not only to the sport but to the city of Niagara Falls, by being inducted into the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame.

During his acceptance speech, Landon thanked numerous individuals who helped make his childhood dream of one day playing in the National Hockey League become a reality. 

“Years ago, I was but a young boy growing up in Niagara Falls who, like every other person who laced up skates, I dreamed big dreams.  I loved hockey so much that I actually slept with my equipment on and stick close by my side.  If there was a frozen sheet of ice, I would be out there skating,” said Landon.

“That little boy from Niagara Falls got to experience his dream.  I got to play for both the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, a feat enjoyed by only 85 players in the history of the NHL.”

Landon also thanked his long-time friend and mentor, Phil Mazzone, who helped him earn a full hockey scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he majored in Business. 

In 1978, Landon was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, and upon completing his degree in 1981, joined the Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs.  The following season, as a rookie, and at the behest of legendary Head Coach John Brophy, Landon was elected by his teammates to serve as the Voyageurs’ PHPA Player Representative, where he began to delve into the business side of the sport.

During the 1983-84 season, Landon’s boyhood dream of playing in the NHL was finally realized when he was called up by the Canadiens to square off against the Edmonton Oilers led by Wayne Gretzky and company.

The following year, Landon was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he registered 57 points in 44 games for the St. Catharines Saints of the AHL before earning his shot with the Leafs later that year. 

After suffering a career-ending hip injury while with the Leafs, Landon continued working on a part-time basis for the PHPA, which was headquartered in Portland, Oregon. 

Then in 1991, upon PHPA Executive Director Curt Leichner announcing his intentions to retire, Landon was selected as Leichner’s successor, and two years later relocated the PHPA headquarters to his hometown. 

In 2010, the PHPA purchased and renovated a 3-story office building located at the 5-corners intersection in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which is now the permanent home of the PHPA.

“My paying it forward to this great city was bringing the PHPA office to Niagara Falls.  Given the fact that 90% of those currently playing in the NHL were previously PHPA Members, the road to the NHL truly goes through Niagara Falls.” 

Since taking over as Executive Director in 1993, Landon has created an internal Benefits Department, developed licensing and marketing programs, a Career Enhancement Program (“Life After Hockey”), three (3) Health and Welfare Trusts, two (2) Severance Trusts, a 401(k) plan for AHL players, as well as the digitization of player files which tracks all player movement between the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.

He has been the lead negotiator in the successful completion of 21 Collective Bargaining Agreements resulting in marked improvement for players’ economic status, playing conditions, health benefits, and rights. 

Under Landon’s direction, the Association has grown in Membership from approximately 600 to 1600 Members, having directed the labor certification of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1986, East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in 1995, and Central Hockey League in 2008, joining them with the American Hockey League, whose players have been represented by the PHPA since 1968.  The PHPA now stands as the second largest player association in terms of Membership in professional sports, behind only the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). 

Throughout his career, Landon has given his time to numerous organizations and charitable foundations that directly benefit the Niagara region including Heater’s Heroes and Heartland Forrest, where he is an active member of their Board of Directors.

“One thing I have never lost is my pride of calling Niagara Falls, Ontario my hometown.  Thank you to the great city of Niagara Falls for selecting me as being worthy of such an induction.”