12 Angry Men

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The weekend brought hockey fans one step closer to the rink and the start of the 2013 NHL season, but not before a little bit of housekeeping between the NHL and the NHLPA.

Before anyone took a physical or sat in for a team meeting, the NHLPA conducted its vote on the contract agreement put together by Don Fehr and Gary Bettman and the stable of lawyers involved in the latest labour disruption to the game.

While the NHL ownership group signed off on the deal on January 9th, the NHLPA membership took a more leisurely look at the paperwork before weighing in with an opinion on it.

Over the course of Friday and Saturday NHLPA members took part in an electronic vote, registering their approval or dissent at the proposal provided to them by their executive.

As the results were released, the vote totals provided for an interested tally, 98.2 percent of the players  voted said yes, 12 however remained steadfast and voted NAY.

No word on who the 12 Angry men might have been,  though we're pretty sure hockey fans probably can pick out one or two players over the last four months of discussions and anger festered as the negotiations to the many twists and turns to ratification day.

One thing seems certain, NHL observers will be watching with interest as to who does and doesn't find an invitation to an NHL roster spot and let the imagination roam from there.

Still, despite the dissent of the dozen, the majority carried the day by a wide margin, setting in motion abbreviated training camps, what could be an amazing trade and free agent scramble and most importantly of all, the much anticipated resumption of the schedule to come on January 19.


The Hockey News-- Lockout Over: NHL, player's association finalize memorandum of understanding
Calgary Herald-- NHLPA ratifies new CBA
CBC-- NHL, players' association officially end lockout
Sportsnet-- NHL Players Agree to Ratify New CBA
Bloomberg-- NHL Players Approve Agreement as Hockey season set to start