Vancouver Canucks organization issues statement following players strike in the ECHL
The Vancouver Canucks organization has issued a statement late this week following a players strike in the ECHL after the two sides were unable to agree to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Earlier this week, players in the Vancouver Canucks organization and across the ECHL announced that they would be going on strike for what was described as ongoing unfair labor practices by the league.
"The Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA) announced today that its ECHL membership has served a strike notice effective December 26, 2025, following a strike authorization mandate delivered on December 18, 2025.
As a result of the league's ongoing unfair labor practices, the PHPA's ECHL membership has been forced to take this step to protect the integrity of the bargaining process." the PHPA said in a statement.
As a result of the league's ongoing unfair labor practices, the PHPA's ECHL membership has been forced to take this step to protect the integrity of the bargaining process." the PHPA said in a statement.
The biggest unresolved issues, according to the PHPA, are travel during back-to-back games, guaranteed contracts, health benefits during the offseason and a holiday break, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like an agreement is going to happen anytime soon.
Vancouver Canucks organization issues statement following player's strike
In a post on social media on Friday, the Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, announced that their game against the Cincinnati Cyclones was postponed due to the player's strike and released a statement alongside the league's other 29 clubs.
"Tonight's game in Cincinnati has been postponed.
We wanted to provide a statement from the ECHL about collective bargaining with the PHPA and the union's decision to force all ECHL players to go on strike. This is likely going to lead to the postponement of some games, and we will be in direct communication with our fans about any home games that will be postponed or rescheduled.
To get important information about the ECHL's last, best and final offer to players, which would immediately raise salaries by 20 percent and address other proposals that are priorities for our players and teams, please visit the ECHL website here: https://echl.com/cba." the Kalamazoo Wings said on X.
We wanted to provide a statement from the ECHL about collective bargaining with the PHPA and the union's decision to force all ECHL players to go on strike. This is likely going to lead to the postponement of some games, and we will be in direct communication with our fans about any home games that will be postponed or rescheduled.
To get important information about the ECHL's last, best and final offer to players, which would immediately raise salaries by 20 percent and address other proposals that are priorities for our players and teams, please visit the ECHL website here: https://echl.com/cba." the Kalamazoo Wings said on X.
As expected, Kalamazoo announced on Saturday that tonight's game against the Cyclones has also been postponed, but this time noted that it was due to "ongoing CBA negotiations" rather than the player's strike, which hopefully means that the two sides are trying to hammer out a deal.
"Tonight's game against Cincinnati has been postponed due to ongoing CBA negotiations." the Wings said.
Kalamazoo is scheduled to face the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday afternoon, followed by home game against the Toledo Walleye on New Year's Eve, but it's probably safe to assume that neither will be played and that this strike will carry on into 2026.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27|913 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks organization issues statement following players strike in the ECHL Do you think the ECHL and their players will agree to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before January 1st? | ||
| Yes | 475 | 52 % |
| No | 438 | 48 % |
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