The NHL Might Look to Europe, Minor Leagues for Replacements

NHL officials are considering using minor league players and former NHL players now in Europe as replacement players if there is a strike.

According to Curt Leichner, general counsel for the Professional Hockey Players’ Assn., two NHL general managers went to their minor league affiliates recently and threatened to suspend without pay any player recalled during a strike who refuses to play for the parent club.

Asked if minor leaguers will act as replacement players, Leichner said: “We are making no predictions. We have plans to react if certain things happen.” He said contractual agreements vary from team to team, “so until a strike is called, we won’t know how to react.”

Meanwhile, an agent for several former NHL clients playing in Europe told Newsday he was contacted by a man he believes might have been representing the league. “He wanted to know what players are playing where and who might be available in a couple of weeks,” said the agent, who declined to be identified. “Just knowing them as I do, I’m pretty sure my guys wouldn’t (be replacement players).”

NHL spokesman Gary Meagher said of using replacement players: “That matter hasn’t been raised.” Bob Goodenow, executive director of the NHL Players Assn., could not be reached, but a union source said of Leichner’s story, “I’m not surprised.”