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For the Future of the Game

National League Operations

“ is a form of disorderly conduct in which

the score is kept.”

—Doug Larson

Contents

Letter from the Director ...... 4

Mandate ...... 5

Background ...... 6

Beginnings of the ...... 6

Expansion Era ...... 7

Modern Era ...... 7

Topics for Discussion ...... 10

NHLPA Negotiations ...... 10

Olympic Games ...... 11

Expansion of the Game and Public Image ...... 11

Concussions ...... 12

Seattle Expansion ...... 13

Positions ...... 15

Online References ...... 24

Letter from the Director

Dear Delegates,

Welcome! I am Tian Geng and I am excited to be your director for National Hockey League Operations at WUMUNS XII. I am a junior from Nashville double- majoring in biology and philosophy-neuroscience-psychology, and I’ve been an avid Model UN participant since high school. I love being able to come together and debate current events in a collaborative and unique way, and I hope that we can all have fun doing the same with a hockey twist! This committee will simulate a body concerned with the running and management of the four major professional of , the National Hockey League. You will make up a group of executives and managers representing team, media, public relations, and union interests, all brought together because of the desire for increased profitability, growth of the game, and player protection. Set in the present day, your task is to make moves toward this desire while also dealing with the league’s approaching expansion into . Thanks so much for joining me for this committee. I’m looking to a great WUMUNS, and I can’t wait to see what you all do. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. And finally, go Preds!

Sincerely,

Tian Geng

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Mandate

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Thank you for coming together for this extraordinarily important meeting. In the coming years, we must make key decisions to ensure the National Hockey League and the sport of hockey itself remain successful and secure. We have a lot of work to do. As our current Collective Bargaining Agreement end date nears, a new agreement is necessary to avoid the turmoil of past lockouts. Player safety is also of utmost importance, as we see a concerning link between injuries and future health problems. Hockey also must grow as a game, bringing enjoyment to a wider audience. We must decisively demonstrate that the NHL celebrates inclusivity and diversity. In addition to the issues above, the NHL’s expansion to thirty-two teams into Seattle is slated for 2021. I was pleased to see our hard work culminate in a fantastic inaugural for the , and I hope to see the team in Seattle reach similar heights. A smooth expansion process is crucial to its success. We are at a critical for the future of hockey, where our decisions today will monumentally affect the game. It is my hope that all of us, regardless of whether you represent the National Hockey League or another organization, can come together and work alongside one another toward these common goals.

Sincerely,

Gary B. Bettman

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Background

Beginnings of the National Hockey League Ice hockey dates back to various forms of stick-and-ball games throughout history and in different civilizations. Its contemporary form and popularity in North America can be traced back to an initial development in in the 1870s. From the 1880s to the 1910s, many different hockey clubs existed and competed against one another. The beginnings of the modern NHL formed from the National Hockey Association (NHA) in 1917, starting as most great groups start: trying to get rid of someone annoying. The NHA was the most prominent league in the 1910s, but by 1916 it was facing a multitude of financial difficulties and player shortages due to World War I. All the team owners were particularly frustrated with Eddie Livingstone, owner of the Blueshirts. Realizing they couldn’t force him out, they suspended the NHA and formed the National Hockey League (NHL). For a time, the NHL did well, aside from a few arena fires and team losses. It competed with several other hockey leagues for the coveted , a donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, as well as the best hockey players. Due to the competition, hockey players were very highly paid. As other leagues folded, various teams joined the NHL. The sport’s rules evolved along with the NHL’s growth, as well as many fierce rivalries. By 1926, the NHL was considered the primary high-caliber hockey league and exclusively competed for the Stanley Cup. In 1947, the NHL was granted exclusive control of the Cup. However, the and World War II took a massive toll on the NHL, bankrupting many teams and leaving others without enough players. By 1942, only six teams remained: the Bruins, Black Hawks, Wings, , Rangers, and . These teams became known as the “.” The Original Six would remain the same and compete with one another until 1967, in which a large expansion era began.

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Expansion Era For the 1967–68 season, six new teams were added in , , Oakland, , , and St. Louis. These teams formed the new West . After their expansion drafts, several teams created several farm systems with teams, a system that still exists today with the (AHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). By 1974, six new teams were added to expand into other markets, spurred on by the main rival league, the (WHA), forming in 1972 and luring away several star players. However, by 1979, the WHA ceased to exist, and the NHL absorbed four of its teams. In 1972, the NHL began playing internationally for the first time, pitting Canadian players against Soviet Union players in the . Europeans began to join the NHL, though Soviets could only play through defection. This decade saw a flourishing of hockey, and in particular, was known for very aggressive and violent play. This reputation remains to this day, thanks to the famed “Broad Street Bullies,” or . By 1979, there were 21 teams, which remained constant until 1992. The were known for high skill and scoring. and Lemieux were the highest scorers, defining an era of gifted forwards, and still have records that have yet to be broken. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Soviet players were allowed to play in North America, and so the NHL opened up to many more international players. In 1990, the NHL revealed ambitious plans to double revenues and reach 28 teams.

Modern Era Beginning in 1991, ten teams were added. However, this current era has been marked by several labor conflicts interrupting seasons. The first NHL strike was launched by the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) in 1992 and allowed for greater player rights and revenue shares. This marked a major moment in labor relations in the league. Because of his response to the strike, the League’s president was removed and replaced with , who remains commissioner to this day. His goals included expanding in the American market, ending labor unrest, completing expansions, and modernizing the

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League. However, ending labor unrest was a formidable ; because there was no collective bargaining agreement, a occurred in 1994–95, halving the season. The were marked by a decline in goalscoring, a sharp difference from the high scores of the 80s. The average goals per game markedly dropped, causing these years to be termed the “dead puck era.” Beginning in 1998, the NHL began to compete in the Winter Olympics, participating through 2014 and allowing for greater international exposure. Unfortunately for the League, hundreds of millions were lost in revenue over the 2002–2003 season and the collective bargaining agreement was set to expire. The entire 2004–2005 season was lost after the players were locked out until negotiations resulted in a hard and changes to free agency. A lockout also ensued in 2012–13, canceling almost half of the season. Aside from the labor unrest, business seemed to proceed as usual in the NHL, along with a couple team dynasties. Some teams, such as Phoenix and , suffered financial difficulties and had to face arena or city relocations. For the first time since 2000, the NHL expanded in 2017 to . The Vegas Golden Knights were a massive success, despite ultimately losing in the 2018 . Regardless, the city rallied behind its new team, and the League earned millions in revenue, allowing for a boost in the salary cap for each team. In December 2018, Seattle was awarded the 32nd NHL team with no further expansions visible in the near future.

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As of 2019, the NHL teams are as follows (in order of League standings after the 2018–19 season):

Eastern Conference Western Conference

Atlantic Division Central Division Pacific Division

Tampa Bay Lightning Capitals Flames

Boston Bruins Jets

Toronto Maple Leafs St. Louis Vegas Golden Knights

Montreal Canadiens Stars Coyotes

Florida Panthers Columbus Jackets Avalanche Canucks

Buffalo Sabres Philadelphia Flyers

Detroit Red Wings Oilers

Ottawa Senators Devils

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Topics for Discussion

NHLPA Negotiations The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) is the labor union for players under contract to the NHL. It represents players in dealing with working conditions and contracts. One of its most important roles lies in dealing with the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, an agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of employment for players and their clubs. As with any employee-employer relationship, there is a conflict with their respective wants. Owners have interest in generating the most profit for their team while players have an interest in making the most money and securing the best contract terms, particularly as NHL players have among the lowest pay and shortest careers of the major men’s leagues. The current agreement began in 2013, following the most recent lockout. However, it is set to expire after the 2021–22 season. Either the NHL or NHLPA can opt- out of the deal as soon as 2020, in which case a new deal must be made. This hits right during Seattle’s expansion year, threatening the success of a new and burgeoning team that can’t afford any untimely interruptions. NHLPA negotiations with the NHL have usually resulted in a lockout period every time a new collective bargaining agreement needs to be made, as they usually cannot come to an agreement in time. In recent years, the 1994–95, 2004–2005, and 2012–13 seasons were either cut drastically short or completely canceled. Relations between the NHLPA and NHL can be contentious, as any relationship between an employer and its employees’ union can be. Aside from a successful new season for Seattle, the game, in general, is threatened: millions of dollars will be lost, the team owners and players will be incredibly displeased, and the growth of the game will be put at risk as both current and potential fans are alienated. Important issues to consider in the new collective bargaining agreement include salary caps, player benefits, and player safety. In particular, players want less of their paychecks withheld in escrow, less time to wait to become an unrestricted , and an even distribution of club revenue between ownership and players. Players also want to be guaranteed Olympic participation, after being banned from the 2018 winter games.

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Olympic Games Typically, NHL players have been permitted in the Winter Olympics, with the exception of the Games in 1988, 1992, 1994, and 2018. The NHL does not usually appreciate Olympic participation because the Olympics occur in the middle of the hockey season and there is an increased risk for injury to players. The IOC also does not allow the NHL to profit or advertise based upon their participation. However, Olympic participation allows for immense international exposure of the League, and players tend to be strongly in favor of Olympic participation, hoping for a chance to represent their country. Performance in the sport’s representation is also blunted, as the participating countries’ players are no longer the best of the best, particularly for and the U.S. The KHL of Russia, typically considered the second-best hockey league in the world, has no Olympic ban, so its Russo-centric players tend to dominate. In 2018, the IOC and NHL failed to reach an agreement after the IOC said that it would no longer pay for accommodations, insurance, or travel for NHL players participating in the Olympics. As a result, the NHL did not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics, upsetting players and fans. While the IOC does not allow for the NHL to profit off its players participating in the Olympics, the NHL does profit off participation in the . Recently, the NHL and NHLPA announced that no World Cup of Hockey would be played in 2020 because of a failure to reach an agreement in time, indicative of the continuous conflict between the two parties. With no viable alternative and the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL has to reach agreements with the IOC and NHLPA on Olympic participation.

Expansion of the Game and Public Image Hockey has typically not been as popular as or football. By far, the NBA and NFL are much more popular than the NHL in the U.S. In part, this is due to the prohibitive cost nature of the game, as expenses for getting in the sport can be very high, with equipment running into hundreds of dollars. As a result, players tend to be affluent and white. The general lack of diversity alienates potential fans of hockey, and there have been racist incidents associated with the game. For example, Devante Smith-Pelly of the

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Washington Capitals was targeted with racial abuse at a Chicago game in 2018. Players also have a reputation for being boring, as those with more personality tend to be maligned by the hockey media. The League has already created programs across North America to get more youth into the game, funding youth hockey leagues and programs that bring the game to schools. Internationally, the League is also looking to expand, having hosted several showcase games of NHL teams in China and Europe. Of course, the League is always looking for other strategies to expand the game and its public image both domestically and internationally. After all, more fans mean more profit for the owners. Among these strategies is holding regular-season outdoor games to potential new fans, usually held in football or that have been converted to hold ice rinks. The Winter Classic is held on or around New Year’s Day, though it tends to compete with college football’s Rose Bowl Game. The Heritage Classic is less frequent but is meant to appeal to Canadian fans with Canadian teams. The Series is the NHL’s newest outdoor game series. In addition, the NHL currently has an investment of $100,000 in the National Women’s Hockey League, though it has been criticized for not doing more considering the minimum salary for an NHL player is $650,000. Perhaps more schemes and strategies are needed.

Concussions Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease, and its symptoms include cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, depression, emotional instability, and suicidal thoughts. Several former players have ended up with problems with homelessness, addiction, and suicide after their retirement from the League. Study of their brains after death have typically revealed advanced CTE, likely due to sustained hits to the head over their careers. “Enforcers,” or players whose unofficial role is to act aggressively against offending players on the other team, have been particularly victimized by CTE. While their role has been diminished over the past few years, plenty of players still grapple with repeated concussion injuries.

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The NHL has been accused of not properly caring for retired players and their mental health issues after ending their careers. In 2016, the League updated its concussion protocol for the 2016–17 season, but many criticized the new protocol for still leaving the decision for player removal up to individual teams and not a league-wide system. The League has also faced criticism for acting dismissive of the CTE issue in general, brushing off its connection to hockey. In June 2018, the NHL was hit with a massive lawsuit by about 150 former players alleging that the League was negligent in providing proper treatment for concussions and that it didn’t provide enough support for retired players who ended up with neurological problems. Eventually, the League settled for $19 million, but not before there was a lot of negative publicity and a congressional inquiry. The NHL must find a balance between players’ interests and safety with hitting. Limiting hitting would severely diminish a major component of the game, but CTE is a major health concern for players. The NHL must also commit to a single, consistent stand on whether or not CTE does have a connection hockey and decide on the best course in caring for retired players. Maintaining that CTE has no connection to hockey is bad for public image, as it goes against most health experts’ opinions. But admitting the connection and making little change to policy would also be bad for public image. Any changes made could critically alter the sport, as hitting is such an integral part of the game and fighting is a strong tradition.

Seattle Expansion The most recent expansion into Las Vegas for the 2017–18 season was massively successful; the Golden Knights made it to the Stanley Cup Finals and was one of the biggest markets the whole season. In December 2018, the NHL Board of Governors approved a new franchise for the League’s thirty-second team, in Seattle, WA. It helped that the Seattle group paid a $650 million expansion fee to be split among the teams, sans Vegas. All the logistics are incredibly important: arena, team name, design, coaching staff, etc. How the expansion (the picking of new players from existing teams) functions is

13 especially important. For example: How many players can each team protect? Under what circumstances can a player be exposed or protected? How will the divisions be realigned? The NHL must also ensure that the team is and remains profitable, as unprofitable teams are prone to be moved. The and Panthers come to mind as being in the danger zone, though Gary Bettman has fought for the Coyotes in the past. Especially considering how successful Vegas’s inaugural season was, Seattle has a lot to live up to. Other teams and their fans may be bitter at how successful Vegas was and Seattle will be, particularly given an ’s poaching of great players.

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Positions

Disclaimer: While these characters are based upon real people, any representations described beyond their job descriptions are fictional.

Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner, NHL

Daly is a former attorney who previously served as Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the NHL. He is the League’s lead negotiator in CBA talks with the NHLPA. He also oversees the legal department and other daily hockey operations. These operations include broadcast and media initiatives, as well as special events.

Colin Campbell, Senior Vice-President of Hockey Operations, NHL

Campbell is a former player and coach and is responsible for daily hockey operations, including overseeing the rules. He is controversial for his inflammatory remarks accusing critics of fighting for being “soft tree huggers,” as well as calling other critics “idiots.” He has also been criticized for seeming to not enforce player safety.

George Parros, Senior Vice-President of Player Safety, NHL

Parros is a former in the NHL and Head of the Department of Player Safety. He has final say of suspensions and fines for players after they commit on-ice infractions. He also is in charge of communicating the League’s player safety priorities and agenda and has come out in support of keeping physicality in the game.

Bernadette Mansur, Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs, NHL

Mansur is an executive who has spent years working in public relations. She is particularly involved in maintaining the public image for the NHL and communicating its positions. Her maintaining of the NHL’s Public Relations has lent her a calm, collected, and competent reputation.

David Proper, Executive Vice-President of Media and International Strategy, NHL

Proper, coming from a legal background, now heads the NHL’s media strategy and distribution. He deals with the League’s role on an international level, such as marketing

15 to foreign countries through special events or dealing with Olympic and IIHF participation.

Heidi Browning, Chief Marketing Officer, NHL

Browning is responsible for the NHL’s marketing activities and creates and delivers communications regarding the League, particularly in advertising and brand management. She is responsible for overseeing the NHL’s new environmental and inclusion initiatives. She’s passionate for the sport and an avid user of social media.

Steven Mayer, Chief Content Officer, NHL

The high-energy Mayer is responsible for supervising the NHL’s digital media and broadcasting, as well as organizing the events calendar. He’s also responsible for designing the entertainment at large events, aimed to bring fun and excitement to fans. He’s an ambitious executive who often wants fast solutions.

Donald Fehr, Executive Director, NHLPA

Fehr is an attorney who currently directs the NHL Players’ Association after having previously managed the MBA’s players’ union. He’s a fierce unionist and tough negotiator and has faced a lot of criticism in the past for being sticking too strongly to his guns. Even so, he’s always been a strong advocate for the players.

Tod Leiweke, CEO, Seattle Hockey Partners

Leiweke is a sports executive and one of the founders of Seattle Hockey Partners, the company behind the new Seattle NHL team. He’s had significant sports executive experience, and many are watching him to see how well he can handle building a successful team. Already, the city of Seattle has shown great support for the new team. The team’s potential rival seems to be the Canucks, due to geography.

Henry Samueli, Governor of the Anaheim Ducks

Samueli is a businessman and engineer, as well as the owner of the Anaheim Ducks and its AHL affiliate. The Ducks, after a period of success in the 2000s, including a Stanley Cup championship, have recently been on a downturn. Their aging core of players, once

16 known for their physicality, mark a significant worry. The Ducks’ current rivals are the Sharks and Kings.

Andrew Barroway, Governor of the Arizona Coyotes

Barroway, a hedge fund manager and owner of the Arizona Coyotes, has had a tumultuous ownership and has almost always been in talks to either move or sell the team. The Coyotes haven’t seen much success in the past few years, considering the team’s movement from Winnipeg, rebranding, and former bankruptcy status. Each year, there’s hope for the Coyotes to be on the upswing. The Coyotes don’t have very strong enemies, but rivals may include the Red Wings and Blackhawks.

Jeremy Jacobs, Governor of the

Jacobs, billionaire businessman and owner of the Bruins since 1975, serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors. He has been described as a “hardliner,” “bully,” and “villain,” and is reportedly hated by players for his role in negotiating past CBAs. The Bruins have seen decent success in the past few years, including a 2011 Stanley Cup, and continue to be a contending team. The Bruins have a very intense (perhaps the most intense in the NHL) rivalry with the Canadiens.

Terry Pegula, Governor of the

Pegula is a multi-billionaire, head of a large sports empire, and owner of the Buffalo Sabres. Though Pegula was known for having a heavy hand in the management of his team, he has since stepped back. The Sabres have been struggling for years, but the team’s younger and talented core provides hope for the near future. The Sabres’ current rivals are the Maple Leafs and Bruins.

Norman Murray Edwards, Governor of the

N.M. Edwards, the mysterious oil sands financier, is co-owner of Calgary Flames and representative of the team on the Board of Governors. The Calgary Flames have had on- and-off seasons the past few years, but the team’s talented players make them a current contender. The Flames’ current rivals are the Oilers and Canucks.

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Thomas Dundon, Governor of the Carolina Hurricanes

Dundon is a businessman and brand-new majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s known to be fun-loving and willing to embrace less-traditional hockey ideas. The Hurricanes haven’t had a lot of success in reaching the ever since they moved from Hartford, but when they do they tend to do very well (see the 2006 Stanley Cup championships). The Hurricanes don’t have very strong enemies, but rivals may include the Capitals.

William Rockwell Wirtz, Governor of the Chicago Blackhawks

Wirtz, a.k.a. “Rocky,” is the principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks. He inherited the team from his father -- but unlike him believes in spending money to make money. The Blackhawks have enjoyed immense success and popularity in the past few years, achieving several Stanley Cups, but they’ve been on a recent decline. The Blackhawks’ current rivals are the Blues and Predators.

Josh Kroenke, Governor of the

Kroenke, heir to family inheritance, is the owner of the Colorado Avalanche. As one of the younger Governors, he tries hard to be “one of the guys,” but can be quite wily and shrewd. The Avalanche have a rather storied past for one of the teams not part of the Original Six or ’67 expansion, including two Stanley Cups. In recent years, they have stumbled, but have also managed to get back up with a very bright future. The Avalanche’s current rivals are the Wild.

John McConnell, Governor of the

McConnell, CEO of a metals manufacturing company, is the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets after inheriting the team from his father. He’s known for being willing to take rather large risks. The Columbus Blue Jackets, while initially facing some troubles, have recently been able to do much better -- though they usually don’t go very far in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets’ current rivals are the Penguins.

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Tom Gaglardi, Governor of the

Gaglardi, a business executive in hotels, owns the Dallas Stars. He’s quite outspoken and willingly speaks his mind even in the face of potential backlash. The Stars, while facing many financial problems, have managed to overcome many of the team’s issues in recent years. Despite a couple playoff misses, the Stars have a talented team. The Stars don’t have very strong enemies, but rivals may include the Predators.

Christopher Ilitch, Governor of the

Ilitch is CEO of and owner of the Detroit Red Wings, which he recently inherited from his father. The Red Wings, once widely feared and having dominated the League for years, have recently trended toward the bottom of the rankings. This is largely due to an aging team. The Red Wings’ current rivals are the Leafs.

Daryl Katz, Governor of the

Katz, the former attorney, billionaire businessman, and owner of the Edmonton Owners, has had some scandals attached to his name in the past. The Oilers have had great success in the past, particularly during the Gretzky era of the 1980s, until its collapse in the early 2000s. More recently, the team has faced many struggles. However, the team has one of the best hockey players out there, so there is hope. The Oilers’ current rivals are the Flames.

Vinnie Viola, Governor of the

Viola, billionaire businessman and former military man, owns the Florida Panthers. He was once nominated to be Secretary of the Army by Donald Trump but could not divest from his businesses. The Panthers have faced troubles in the playoffs since the beginning of its existence, and recently some troubles with possible relocation. The Panthers’ current rivals are the Lightning.

Philip Anschutz, Governor of the Los Angeles Kings

Anschutz is a billionaire businessman and part-owner of the Los Angeles Kings. He is very involved in political and religious activism, and very well-versed in business media. The Los Angeles Kings, once an incredibly dominant team with two Stanley Cups, have faced

19 recent problems as the team ages and personnel chaos. The Kings’ current rivals are the Ducks and Sharks.

Craig Leipold, Governor of the Minnesota Wild

Leipold, former owner of the Nashville Predators (they had a poor split) and current owner of the Minnesota Wild, is outspoken and willing to openly advocate for his beliefs. He is ambitious and politically active. The Minnesota Wild, while a relatively new team, have often faced perpetual mediocrity as they continually make the playoffs but fail to win a round. With some recent personnel changes, there may be hope for the future. The Wild’s current rivals are the Avalanche.

Geoff Molson, Governor of the Montreal Canadiens

Molson is a businessman who comes from a very prominent Anglo-Montreal family. He is also co-owner and president of the Montreal Canadiens, aka the Habs. The Habs have a storied past and have won the most Cups out of any team in the NHL, and the fans are wildly passionate. More recently, they have not done as well, though they seem to be on the upswing. The Habs have a very intense (perhaps the most intense in the NHL) rivalry with the Bruins, as well as the Leafs.

Herb Fritch, Governor of the Nashville Predators

Fritch, a healthcare executive, represents the Nashville Predators on the Board of Governors. He is easygoing and represents a larger ownership group of the team. After some very tumultuous years following the team’s 1999 inaugural season, the contending Predators are now experiencing the franchise’s most successful years, thanks to a strong defense. The Predators’ current rivals are the Blackhawks, with a nascent dislike for the Blues and Ducks.

Josh Harris, Governor of the New

Harris, a billionaire investor, is the principal owner of the . He has a lot of political influence and advises the current White House administration. The New Jersey Devils, despite success at the beginning of the decade, have faced financial struggles in

20 recent years, as well as playoff struggles. The Devils’ current rivals are the Rangers and the Flyers.

Scott Malkin, Governor of the New York Islanders

Malkin, a real estate investor, is the recent co-owner of the New York Islanders. The Islanders did exceptionally well in the 70s and 80s but struggled in the 2010s -- including a high-profile and extensively covered player loss to the Maple Leafs. The team has surprised everyone with their recent success, thanks to personnel changes and a youthful core. The Islanders’ current rivals are the Rangers, Penguins, and Capitals.

James Dolan, Governor of the New York Rangers

Dolan is executive chairman of MSG Networks and owner of the New York Rangers. He is controversial for his meddling in the team and its subsequent decline. The Rangers, having previously been contenders, have been on a recent downturn. The Rangers’ current rivals are the Islanders, Devils, and Flyers.

Eugene Melnyk, Governor of the Senators

Melnyk is a businessman and owner of the . He is fairly eccentric and unpopular as an owner, facing calls to be removed across Ottawa. The Senators, within reach of success just a few years ago, can only be described as a disaster as of late -- many of their best players have been traded away and public image is poor. The Senators’ current rivals are the Leafs.

Dave Scott, Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers

Scott, a executive, is not the owner but recently took over as chairman of the Philadelphia Flyers. He lacks a sports background but has a passion for hockey and is eager to prove himself. The Flyers have had up-and-down seasons in recent years and have undergone many personnel changes. The Flyers’ current rivals are the Penguins and Rangers.

David Morehouse, Governor of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Morehouse, while not the owner, serves as President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He previously worked in politics under the Clinton administration and so has a lot of

21 political savvy. The Penguins have seen a lot of success during his tenure, including several Stanley Cups. Some of the best players are on this team, and while they are aging, they don’t seem to be slowing down that much. The Penguins’ current rivals are the Flyers and Capitals.

Hasso Plattner, Governor of the San Jose Sharks

Plattner, a German businessman and investor in the ownership group of the San Jose Sharks, is the only non-North American on the Board of Governors. As such, his business ventures have brought him many international contacts. The San Jose Sharks have been consistent playoff contenders and continue to be so. The Sharks’ current rivals are the Ducks and Kings.

Thomas Stillman, Governor of the St. Louis Blues

Stillman is a former attorney and businessman and has been the majority owner of the St. Louis Blues since 2012. The Blues won their first conference title and Stanley Cup this past year after failing to win the conference title since 1970. With a strategy of maintaining their current lines, the Blues are currently a strong contending team. The Blues’ current rivals are the Blackhawks, with a nascent dislike for the Predators.

Jeff Vinik, Governor of the

Vinik is an investment management businessman and the owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vinik has spent years in investment but has faced many business troubles. The Bolts, meanwhile, are a very good team with great offense and are one of the strongest contenders. The Bolts’ current rivals are the Panthers.

Larry Tanenbaum, Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Tanenbaum is a businessman and co-owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is a very prominent figure in Canada but shies away from publicity. The Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the largest fan bases in the League and receive significant media attention. After a massive rebuild, the Maple Leafs have been doing better and have a strong team. The Leafs’ current rivals are the Canadiens, Sabres, Red Wings, and Senators.

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Francesco Aquilini, Governor of the

Aquilini, businessman and investor, is the owner of the Vancouver Canucks. He is outspoken and has been publicly unhappy with his team’s performance lately. The Canucks have fared rather poorly after their infamous and riot-inducing loss. With promising young players, many remain optimistic for the team’s future. The Canucks’ current rivals are the Flames.

Bill Foley, Governor of the Vegas Golden Knights

Foley, former attorney and businessman, is the majority owner of Vegas Golden Knights. After an incredibly strong inaugural season, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, everyone is watching to see how well they follow it. Some are skeptical they can keep up the pace, but the Knights haven’t faltered much. The Knights haven’t had enough time to make rivals, but many teams are bitter at having their players taken away in the expansion draft.

Ted Leonsis, Governor of the

Leonsis is a businessman and owner of the Washington Capitals. A former mayor of a Florida town and current chairman of a large sports company, he is unafraid of controversial tactics and a hands-on management approach. The Capitals are the team that most recently won the Stanley Cup in 2018, the first in their history. Even after, they remain a strong team. The Capitals’ principal rivals are the Flyers and Penguins.

Mark Chipman, Governor of the

Chipman, attorney and businessman, is the principal owner of the Winnipeg Jets. He is fairly private and withdrawn and does not go into the spotlight too much. The Jets have faced struggles and relocations in its history, but in recent years has become one of the strongest contenders, thanks in part to the team’s physical play. The Jets don’t have very strong enemies, but rivals may include the Predators.

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Online References http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25258617/nhl-top-priorities-players-next-collective- bargaining-agreement https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/11/16/Leagues-and-Governing- Bodies/NHL-salaries.aspx https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2016/10/11/nhls-50-most-important-people- 2016-2017/91822036/

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