Gary Bettman & the League Make Multi-Million Dollar Announcement Involving Retired NHLers
Photo credit: Los Angeles Times
For the 1st time, former NHL players will be taken care of thanks to a new element of the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement that takes effect in 2026.
There are multiple changes coming in the NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement, including a new 84 game schedule and an earlier start date.
But another notable change is the establishment of a system to care for former players that hadn't previously been in place.
NHL Will Develop Emergency Fund for Retired Players
The NHL and the NHLPA have promised $4 million annually to the Retired Players Emergency Healthcare and Wellness Fund, a newly established Fund that helps players in their post-playing careers.
Former NHL goalie and current NHL Alumni Association president and executive director Glenn Healey described it as being like "Christmas Day" for the League.
Our wellness plan is not like basketball. It's not like football. We're different in this sport. We don't have our teeth. We have different issues, and this is I think a real step forward for the players. This is groundbreaking. This is Christmas Day for us.
NHLPA Assistant Executive Director Ron Hainsey, who played over 1,000 NHL games, also
NHLPA Assistant Executive Director Ron Hainsey, who played over 1,000 NHL games, also
This is just another additional thing we can do for our current and former players. The idea is when our players do leave the game here, in the future, that they're in a totally different situation for their post-career lives.
The NHL's new CBA begins in 2026
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was recently ratified, will go into effect starting next season and will run through 2030.
As part of the New CBA, the League will increase the insurance subsidy retired players are eligible for to $10,000 a year.
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