It’s that time of the month when we take a look at what’s been happening in hockey’s business and legal world. Twice a month we cover the big and not so big stories in this arena. We also include a featured story of the period. Let’s take a look at what has been happening this period.
Hockey’s Business and Legal News
PWHL League Logo Released in US Patent and Trademark Office Database
Every good organization needs a good logo. And every good logo needs trademark protection. The Professional Womens’ Hockey League’s logo has been released on the US Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) database. The PWHL filed the logo with the USPTO on October 12, 2023. While the process of filing for trademark protection is not overly complex, it is essential for the intellectual property protection over the symbol for any league, team or organization. While the team names and logos are still in question, the PWHL logo is now set. It can be seen below.
BREAKING:
— The Hockey News – Women’s (@TheHockeyNewsW) October 17, 2023
We have the PWHL's league logo from the US Trademark Database. Check it out:https://t.co/KGk9aHV6EJ
The Carolina Hurricanes Interested in Buying AHL Team
The Carolina Hurricanes, are more specifically their owner Tom Dundon, is reportedly interested in buying an AHL team. That is, should one come up for sale. During the offseason, Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, decided to not extend their affiliation agreement. They opted to remain completely independent of any NHL team, in fact. There is no rule prohibiting this in either league. Nor is there a requirement for an NHL team to have an AHL affiliate. But it is not desired and can create a lot of headaches. It’s a situation where hockey’s business and legal sides are both implicated. We previously explained the NHL/AHL relationship here.
Due to needing to enter affiliation agreements every few years, and risking running into situations like this, Dundon appears to be favoring the ownership of an AHL team himself. The only issue is one has to come up for sale. But if it does, Dundon does not appear to have any problem making a more than competitive offer.
At recent #NHL BOG meeting, #Canes let other teams know they'd be willing to pay a significant premium on the $11.8 mil sale price of last AHL franchise transaction.#Canes looking for AHL solution, but there is no easy solution this year.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 17, 2023
Also from today's Daily Faceoff Live: https://t.co/95nulCMpTh
NHL Extends Partnership with Pramana Labs and Introduces NHL EDGE
The NHL has extended its partnership with Pramana Labs for multiple years. Pramana is an industry leader in technology that allows natural language querying of an organization’s databases. Pramana’s system allows the NHL to use natural language to ask questions of its databases. As part of this deal, Pramana’s technology will apply to many NHL databases and specifically to the newly released NHL EDGE.
Pramana Labs has expanded its relationship with the @NHL in a multi-year, multi-discipline deal that will include NHL EDGE, the League’s Puck and Player Tracking technology.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 18, 2023
Details: https://t.co/rFzfgSqzYq pic.twitter.com/zoPwXiiJzr
Speaking of NHL EDGE, the NHL released this stat tracking program on Monday October 23. NHL EDGE allows fans to track various more nuanced statistics during an NHL game including skating speed, distance traveled, shot speed, shot location and goaltending performance metrics. With the advancements in analytics and increase in sports betting and fantasy sports, this stat tracking ability will be game changing for fans across the board. It could be a good way to increase engagement with the NHL as well.
The #NHL has launched a new stats portal giving fans access to player and puck tracking data that’s never before been publicly available.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 23, 2023
You can now see speed & skating data, shot location information, detailed goalie data and more on NHL EDGE.
Story:https://t.co/4eyrdz7Bhe
Bowling Green Hockey Hazing Police Investigation Concludes
In a previous hockey’s business and legal highlights article we discussed that Bowling Green University was investigating hazing allegations related to the hockey team. Three team members were suspended while the head coach was put on administrative leave. After the Bowling Green Police Department took some time to conduct a criminal investigation, that investigation has concluded. While the school’s investigation may be still ongoing, the police investigation concluded with no criminal charges pressed. There can be many different sides to these instances with school, NCAA, criminal and civil punishments all having a potential place. So even though everyone is clear criminally, there could be more coming.
A month after Bowling Green State University said it had suspended three players and placed its men's hockey coach on leave after an alleged hazing incident, Lt. Adam Skaff of the Bowling Green, Ohio, police department tells me today that its criminal investigation is concluding.…
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 19, 2023
Calgary Flames Top Prospect Facing Rape Charges in Finland
Calgary Flames 2022 second round pick, Topi Rönni, has been charged with rape in Finland. The alleged incident occurred over two years ago when he was a minor and is making its way through the legal process in Finland. The specifics of the case are sealed by the courts and the official hearing date is not yet set. Meanwhile, Topi Rönni has been playing for Tappara Tampere of the Finnish SM-ligga but will take a leave of absence until further notice.
Keep in mind that the rape is still alleged, and he may very well be innocent. But it is important for young players to again keep in mind how their off-ice actions may later catch up with them and affect their potential hockey career. Not only is staying away from illegal or unethical behavior important, but as these stories show sometimes, just staying away from scenarios where that could even be alleged is wise. Rönni is a Flames top prospect but has yet to sign an NHL contract. If this proves true, Rönni may not ever earn that contract.
Tappara announces that Topi Rönni (CGY) is facing criminal charges for rape. He’ll be withdrawing from team activities until further notice: https://t.co/o71ntsCs63 #Flames
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) October 19, 2023
NHL Votes to Decentralize Draft
The NHL entry draft occurs during the summer every year. With the exception of the COVID years, there is always one central location that hosts the draft. All of the teams’ representatives are present as well as most prospects expecting to hear their name. Additionally, hockey’s business and legal personnel all are actively involved. It is usually a fun event for those in attendance as well as diehard fans or prospect enthusiasts watching on television. But the NHL is unique in that most other sports don’t follow that format. And now the NHL may not be anymore as well.
The NHL’s teams recently voted “overwhelmingly” in support of conducting the draft more virtually with each GM and team executives conducting their drafts in their home offices. While there is some disappointment from the standpoint of tradition, this decision was largely due purely to economics. The COVID years proved that a decentralized draft could happen seamlessly and the teams see not only the cost savings, but the logistical and travel savings as huge benefits. While nothing is set in stone yet, this change could occur as soon as the 2024 offseason.
With overwhelming vote, #NHL leaves open the possibility of decentralizing Draft for 2024.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 25, 2023
As soon as June, we could see teams remaining in their home cities to execute Draft picks and trades.
Story on @DailyFaceoff:https://t.co/eezPLJVdea
EIHA to Require Neck Guards and NHL Considering the Same
Adam Johnson, a former NHLer who was playing in the United Kingdom in the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), sadly passed away after taking a skate to the throat. First and foremost, our condolences go out to his family, friends and loved ones over this horrible situation. While this is always a serious risk, and has happened before on occasion, Johnson’s death may have more lasting impacts than other similar events. For one, the U.K. police are investigating the incident for possible liability. There is not much on this, and frankly this is most likely a freak accident, but it is their job to at least examine it.
More notably, the EIHA almost instantly announced that starting in 2024, all players will be required to wear neck guards. It will be a “strong recommendation” for all players to do so in 2023. However, concerns over supply led to the delayed requirement. Additionally, the EIHA will begin reviewing all safety equipment including helmets to ensure maximum safety.
The English Ice Hockey Association, the governing body of hockey in England and Wales, says it will be mandatory for its players to wear a neck guard during "all on-ice activities," beginning in 2024: https://t.co/X2gl2x3IOm
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 30, 2023
Could We See the Same in the NHL?
Meanwhile, the NHL too is looking into the possibility of requiring neck guards. The NHL and NHLPA have put this on the “list” of items to discuss sometime soon. Even though they have been recommending players use them for years, the idea of it becoming mandatory seems more likely.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have already mandated that it’s players in the AHL or ECHL wear neck guards and wrist guards. No NHL team can mandate it at the NHL level since it is not a league requirement agreed to by the NHLPA. If the NHL requires them, there may be a grandfathered clause like we saw with visors. The reality is this is very likely to be a requirement in the near future. It is simply unfortunate that it takes a major accident to bring this to the forefront. But here we are.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly tells NHL Network Radio that Gary Bettman has been in contact with Marty Walsh of the PA to get the neck guard issue 'on the radar'. Daly says the NHL is strongly recommending the use of neck guards.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) October 31, 2023
Hockey’s Business and Legal Featured Story: Ottawa Senators Shane Pinto Suspended for Sports Betting Related Activities
One of the Ottawa Senators counted on younger players Shane Pinto has yet to play a game this season and lacks a contract. The restricted free agent was surprisingly not resigned over the summer, or into the season. Now it has been announced that he is suspended for 41 NHL games for gambling related violations. Is this why the Senators didn’t make resigning him a priority? Perhaps.
More information slowly made its way forward, but it does not appear that Pinto was suspended for simply gambling on sports. That is allowed in the NHL’s CBA so long as it is not hockey, generally. There can be some grey there due to a lack of detail in the CBA. Reportedly, Pinto provided inside information to a third party related to sports betting. With so much money tied up in sports betting, that is why this appears to be a bigger deal. And is why the NHL has taken such a hard stance. It’s not clear the size of the instance and who else may be involved. Regardless, it is a step the NHL is taking to drop the hammer on betting activities. And maybe it is supposed to be a signal to others.
NHL Has Handed Down A 41 Game Suspension To Shane Pinto For Gambling Violationshttps://t.co/kAsofBjEIC
— Last Word On Hockey (@LastWordOnPuck) October 27, 2023
Post image attribution: By Jenn G, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
