When the first-ever all-player strike in the ECHL wrapped up last week, it marked a significant moment in hockey history. More than a week of games were lost during what is usually a busy holiday season, with over 41 matches canceled.
A surprising 70% of ECHL players voted to strike just before Christmas, despite being offered a 20% salary increase. This wasn’t just about pay, though. Players aimed to improve their working conditions, which they felt were subpar compared to the NHL and AHL.
The new deal raises average salaries from about $20,300 to roughly $24,600 a season, but players only earn during the regular season and can get a little more if their team makes the playoffs. While this pay bump is nice, most players emphasize that the real goal was to address tough issues. These include grueling travel schedules, midnight game times, lack of rest days, and inadequate equipment.
Jimmy Mazza, an ECHL veteran involved in the negotiations, shared, “Those types of travel conditions are just unprofessional. We focused on correcting that during talks.” He believes the new contract will help players stay longer in the league. Todd Skirving, another player, added, “You can’t put a dollar value on health and safety. That was our priority.”
Surprisingly, although the ECHL sits a few tiers below the NHL, it has produced nearly 800 players who made it to the top level. Recent examples include Bobby McMann, currently playing on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top line, and Justin Brazeau, who has made a mark with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Historically, about 25 former ECHL players make it to the NHL each season, showcasing the feeder role this league plays.
However, many players still juggle second jobs to make ends meet, particularly because pay is often insufficient. For instance, the minimum pay has remained around $13,500 for years. The average age of players in the ECHL is now about 23, contributed to by the fact that better compensation and conditions exist in European leagues.
The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) introduced some changes. Players now have a health and safety committee, which offers them a voice in future scheduling to lessen challenging travel experiences. There are now limits on the distance between consecutive games and mandates for rest days, similar to what is seen in the NHL.
Despite these advancements, many players will still need financial help from other jobs. Skirving pointed out, “There are a lot of guys struggling to make ends meet here. We’re not millionaires.” He’s focused now on helping younger players as they enter the league.
Mazza, who has decided to retire, mentioned receiving encouraging messages from ECHL alumni, showing solidarity among players past and present. This shift indicates a growing recognition of the need for better treatment in the league.
As the ECHL expands to 32 teams by the 2027-28 season, linking each NHL club with an affiliate, there are hopes that conditions will continue to improve, making it a better place for players to thrive.
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