Panel Installs Mike Ouellet As Acting Executive Director of NHLPA

Written by Maury Brown

Saturday, 31 October 2009 05:52

THIS IS BREAKING NEWS....

With the NHLPA seeing Interim Exec. Director Ian Penny resign Friday saying that he had been constructively dismissed and "can no longer work under the present circumstances," Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reported late Friday via Twitter that a four member committee led by Chris Chelios has named Union Counsel Mike Ouellet acting Executive Director, and that Roland Lee has been named General Counsel to replace Ouellet.

But, the installing of Ouellet raises questions as to whether the move breaks with the NHLPA’s constitution; does the four member panel comprised of Chelios, Rob Blake, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Mark Recchi have the power to install an interim Executive Director? According to an NHLPA memo the new leadership structure is temporary, pending next meet of Executive Board.

The reasoning for installing Ouellet may center on the ability of the NHLPA to function. With Penny's resignation, as well as key outside counsel Paul Cavalluzzo, the ability of the NHLPA to engage in CBA talks becomes remote. The panel may see installing Ouellet as the only way for the union function.

OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

(THE BIZ OF FOOTBALL)

(THE BIZ OF BASKETBALL)

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.