CHL settles class-action lawsuit
Open letter to the #CHL community:
Continuing our focus on being the best major junior development league in hockey for our amateur student athletes.
READ ?: https://t.co/3un7lNuwTg pic.twitter.com/4EAzrF8eoU
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) May 15, 2020
The CHL settled a class-action lawsuit brought forward by former players stating that players should be subjected to employee standards, and not considered amateur student-athletes. Although the league disagrees with the stance of the players, they opted to come to a settlement to put the issue to bed and return their focus to getting junior hockey players back on the ice. The settlement comes to around $30 million or roughly $250,000 per team in the CHL. The CHL says an insurance policy will cover the settlement. You can read their full statement here.
This is embarrassing. They weren’t good enough to stick in the league so they opted for the handout instead. I got released by two different teams in a matter of two months and I still found a way to have a three year career in the #WHL. Shut up and work hard instead you pigeons. https://t.co/EjBs3jVeN6
— Brayden Low (@braydenlow) May 15, 2020
1/2 What an absolute joke outcome to the #chllawsuit. Players get the opportunity to live their dream of playing major junior, live for free and get taken care of by billets. They don’t have to pay a cent for gear, team clothes, travel, meals on the road, many meals at the rink
— Brock Nixon (@Nixer39) May 16, 2020
Meanwhile, a number of former CHL players took to social media on Friday to voice their displeasure with the outcome of the lawsuit, saying players should be grateful for what they do get from the CHL and should not be trying for more.
Guenther named WHL Rookie of the Year
Congratulations to Dylan Guenther of @EdmOilKings, recipient of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Presented by @Wawanesa! #WHLAwards ? | https://t.co/zgrNxbIaos pic.twitter.com/HeZqxz9Bwk
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 15, 2020
Edmonton Oil Kings forward Dylan Guenther has been named this year’s WHL Rookie of the Year. He played 58 games in the 2019-20 season tallying 23 goals and 33 assists. He becomes the first Oil Kings to win the award since it was handed out for the first time in 1999-2000.
WHL adjusts awards schedule
#WHLAwards Update: We've adjusted the schedule for next week's announcements.
DETAILS ? |https://t.co/SBWvFzEeLs pic.twitter.com/V2M3fHd45Q
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 15, 2020
The WHL adjusted the schedule for the remainder of their award announcements. The next award will be announced on Tuesday with the WHL Goaltender of the Year and concluding on Thursday with the WHL Player of the Year.
Raiders office to re-open
The Raiders Office will be reopening to the public as of Tuesday, May 19 with certain restrictions.
?Get the details on the Raiders App, or online here: https://t.co/CJUdJFDDMD pic.twitter.com/kvyS4gEGaE
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) May 15, 2020
Fans needing to visit the Prince Albert Raiders office at the Art Hauser Centre will be able to do so as of May 2020.
Kolpannen sticking with Ilves in Finland
Puolustaja Kalle Maalahti ja maalivahti Ville Kolppanen jatkavat Ilveksessä myös tulevalla kaudella!
? Tiedote: https://t.co/cLJx80IqV3#Ilves #Liiga #Tampere pic.twitter.com/OwMNNR6TwR
— Tampereen Ilves (@ilveshockey) May 15, 2020
Ville Kolppanen (14 GP, 4.88 GAA, .853 Save Percentage, 1-9-0-0 record with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2009-2010) had the option on his contract exercised by Ilves Tampere in Finland. In 12 games this season he recorded a 3-7-2 record with a 3.49 GAA and .858 save percentage.