Vancouver Canucks organization set to be affected by upcoming players strike this week
The Vancouver Canucks organization, which has struggled at all three levels this season, is set to be affected by an upcoming players strike starting on Friday.
It's been a difficult season for the Vancouver Canucks organization, as the NHL club, along with their affiliates - the Abbotsford Canucks & Kalamazoo Wings all sit near the bottom of their respective league standings.
There are numerous reasons for each of their tough starts to the 2025-26 campaign, whether it be injuries or something as simple as inconsistent play and for the Kalamazoo Wings, they've been forced to bring in external help as they try to climb out of the basement in the ECHL's Western Conference.
As Kalamazoo gears up for the start of the unofficial second half of the season on Friday in Cincinnati, it appears that games might not go ahead as scheduled around the ECHL after some big news dropped on Monday from the players and the league.
Vancouver Canucks organization set to be affected by upcoming players strike
In a press release on Monday afternoon, the Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA) announced that they've served the ECHL with a strike notice, which is set to begin on Boxing Day (Friday, December 26th), with one of the reasons for the work stoppage due to alleged unfair labor practices.
"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 league's ongoing unfair labor practices have undermined and obstructed the lawful collective bargaining process. The league's unlawful conduct dates back to late spring/early summer, when it made unilateral changes to mandatory subjects of bargaining and engaged in regressive negotiations. This prompted the PHPA to file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to remedy the league's unlawful conduct and restore the parties' statutory obligation to bargain in good faith." The PHPA's statement said.
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 league's ongoing unfair labor practices have undermined and obstructed the lawful collective bargaining process. The league's unlawful conduct dates back to late spring/early summer, when it made unilateral changes to mandatory subjects of bargaining and engaged in regressive negotiations. This prompted the PHPA to file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to remedy the league's unlawful conduct and restore the parties' statutory obligation to bargain in good faith." The PHPA's statement said.
The players decision to strike wasn't unanimous according to Andrew Zadarnowski of Habs Eyes on the Prize, which is going to lead to some interesting decisions for those who voted against job action and potentially, "crossing the line" to play those games scheduled for Friday night.
One member of the Vancouver Canucks organization has already spoken out about the upcoming strike as Kalamazoo Wings forward Todd Skirving, who is a two-time Kelly Cup champion and has appeared in 355 games across parts of eight seasons in the ECHL, took to social media to share his thoughts on the matter on Monday.
"The players are ready to reach a deal right now. All we ask is respect, integrity, and good faith bargaining. We never wanted it to come to this, but we stand united, unwavering, and committed to a fair deal that honors the players who power this league." Wings forward Todd Skirving said on X.
With the strike notice officially sent to the ECHL, hopefully both sides can get to the bargaining table as soon as today to try and hammer out a deal that is fair for the players.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 23|1061 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks organization set to be affected by upcoming players strike this week Do you think ECHL players will end up striking starting on Friday or will both sides agree to a new CBA before then? | ||
| They'll be on strike on Friday | 634 | 59.8 % |
| Both sides will agree to a new CBA | 427 | 40.2 % |
| List of polls | ||