ECHL: Where Collective Bargaining Talks Stand

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Karen Zehner | Last updated Dec 23, 2025 2:41 AM ET

As negotiations continue for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, discussions between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association have become more public and intense. Today, both sides released statements that made the situation even more complicated. For fans, following the timeline of events is important to understand what’s going on and why tensions are increasing.

How This Became Public

On November 13, 2025, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association published an open letter addressed directly to fans. In it, they shared concerns about rest and recovery, pay, equipment quality, travel demands, and unpaid off-ice work tied to team and league revenue.

Players stated that negotiations remained far apart on issues they believe affect their health, safety, and economic security. At the same time, the letter emphasized pride in representing their teams and appreciation for the fans who support them.

The decision to release the letter publicly marked a notable shift in the negotiation process. Until that point, discussions had largely taken place behind the scenes, with limited detail shared outside official channels. By speaking directly to fans, players signaled that they felt key issues were not being resolved and that greater transparency was needed.

The ECHL’s Response

After the PHPA’s letter, the ECHL issued a comment confirming the concerns and stressing that negotiations were ongoing.

The league said bargaining began later than usual because of a leadership transition within the PHPA and noted that discussions have been active since January 2025. According to the ECHL, tentative agreements have been reached on several terms, though the league had not publicly identified which items those included at that time.

The ECHL had also underscored its dedication to league stability, ongoing negotiations, and delivering affordable, family-friendly hockey to fans across North America.

After that letter became public, Inside the Rink reached out to both the ECHL and the PHPA for additional comment. Both sides declined to provide further statements beyond those already released publicly.

Players Approve Strike Authorization

ECHL players have since authorized a work stoppage that could begin as soon as 12:00 a.m. on December 26, should negotiations fail to reach an agreement.

“On Friday, our ECHL members overwhelmingly authorized a strike mandate, giving our Bargaining Committee the authority to continue pursuing a fair and reasonable agreement with the League,” said Scott McNaughton, director of communications for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA). [December 19, 2025]

What the ECHL Says Is in Its Current Offer

Earlier today, the ECHL outlined what it says is currently on the table as negotiations continued, focusing on higher pay, continued benefits, and changes to improve player quality of life.

According to the league, the proposal includes an immediate 16.4 percent increase to the salary cap, retroactive to the start of the season once a new agreement is finalized. Future increases are also included, which would raise total player salaries by nearly 27 percent over the life of the agreement.

The ECHL has also emphasized that teams would continue covering major off-ice costs for players, including housing, utilities, internet, and medical and dental benefits, which the league views as a significant part of overall compensation.

On the scheduling side, the league says its offer includes a guaranteed day off each week, added recovery time after three-games-in-three-days stretches, and limits on long-distance travel between back-to-back games, generally capped at 325 miles.

Daily travel expenses are also addressed. Under the proposal, per diems would increase to $60 per day, with additional increases built in that would raise the rate by 24.5 percent over time.

The offer also includes changes related to equipment and off-ice work. Teams would be allowed to provide custom sticks, players would have access to additional helmet options that meet high safety ratings, and players could earn compensation for approved commercial appearances and team events through a percentage-based structure rather than unpaid participation. The league has also said it is offering increased Career Enhancement Payments to support players beyond their playing careers.

The PHPA’s Latest Statement

Almost immediately after the ECHL’s latest public comments, the PHPA released its own statement about how the league has acted during these negotiations.

The players remain united and committed to finding common ground. However, we won’t accept continued disrespect from the league. Respect must be mutual, and right now, that standard isn’t being met. Thank you to our incredible fans for their continued support https://t.co/zx0eJnNSAj
— Todd Skirving (@ToddSkirving) December 22, 2025

The PHPA had alleged that the league communicated directly with players through team management on bargaining matters, bypassing the union’s bargaining representatives. The PHPA called these communications inappropriate and said they contained inaccurate information.

As a result, the PHPA says it has filed another unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, citing concerns about direct dealing and coercive conduct.

The PHPA also reiterated several long-standing concerns, including:

Delays in permitting players to choose properly fitting helmets
Clubs continue to issue used equipment
Travel schedules are being treated as rest time, including lengthy bus trips, and counted in the form of days off
Resistance to guaranteed weekly days off until recently
Lack of a meaningful holiday break that would allow players to be home with their families

The union said these problems directly affect players’ health, safety, and ability to do their jobs.

Economic Concerns Raised by Players

The PHPA also discussed financial issues, saying the league’s proposals do not fully account for inflation, since the last agreement was signed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The union noted that players previously agreed to a two-year extension at no additional cost to help the league recover, and that they believe current proposals leave players behind, given current cost-of-living levels.

How the Schedule Fits Into This Conversation

Fans who want to see things from the players’ point of view can look at the recent packed schedule as a clear example of the rest and recovery issues being talked about.

Teams across the league just finished a busy weekend of games from Friday, December 19, to Sunday, December 21. Many clubs played more than once in just a few days.

According to the game schedules and results, at least 8 to 10 teams played each day, covering a big part of the league’s regular-season games during that time. With 30 teams set for the 2025–26 season, almost the entire league was in action over the weekend.

Starting Monday, players get a short holiday break until Thursday, then games start up again on Friday, December 26. With the ongoing CBA talks, this stretch shows the scheduling and recovery concerns players have mentioned: a heavy workload and only a short time to rest before playing again.

This schedule included:

Playing several games in just a few days
Traveling to and from arenas in different states
Going right into a short holiday break with just a few days off before returning on Friday, December 26

For many players, the recovery time is too short. After a tough stretch of games, they get only a quick break before having to compete again. Travel, rest, and getting ready for the next set of games will have to fit into just a few days.

Given the current CBA talks, this type of schedule only highlights the rest-and-recovery concerns players have spoken about games with limited time between them, and then a quick turn back into competition.

Where Things Stand Right Now

Negotiations remain active but unresolved. The league emphasizes progress and the scope of its proposed improvements. Players emphasize whether those changes go far enough and whether the process has been handled appropriately.

At this stage, fans are seeing two very different interpretations of the same negotiation process.

The league focuses on progress, sustainability, and the range of its proposed changes.
The players focus on concerns about the process, safety, and whether the proposed changes really address their daily challenges.

A work stoppage would likely postpone at least some games during the 2025–26 ECHL season. The impact would go beyond the schedule. Players could lose pay, housing, and medical benefits if play stopped. ECHL leadership has made clear it wants to avoid these consequences.

What is clear is that negotiations remain unsettled. Games are continuing as scheduled, and no final decision regarding a work stoppage has been announced.

The Bigger Picture

Collective bargaining in professional sports is rarely simple. In the ECHL, where affordability, player development, and community involvement are central to the league’s identity, these discussions carry added weight. For now, the focus remains on the ice as conversations between both sides continue, and it will be worth watching how things develop over the next few days.