hockey's business and legal

Hockey’s Business and Legal Updates January 22 through 28 including 2018 WJC Fallout

Alec Roberson

It’s that time again when we take a look at what’s been happening in hockey’s business and legal world. Once a week 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

Mississauga Steelheads Likely Moving to Brampton, File for New Trademark

The OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads seem to be looking to move to Brampton, Ontario following this season. Their lease at Paramount Arena, operated by the city of Mississauga, also expires after this season with the city looking to potentially raise the rent. Signaling a potential move, there has been a new trademark filing for the Brampton Steelheads in Canada. While there shouldn’t be any issues getting it approved, all of this seems to indicate the potential move.

Mike Riberio Sexual Assault Trial Begins in Texas

Former NHLer Mike Ribeiro has been accused of sexual assault in Texas. The trial relating to the incidents, which allegedly took place in 2021, has begun. The prosecutors allege Ribeiro assaulted two women on Lake Cypress Springs on June 23, 2021, and attempted to assault another. While each side will present their case, keep an eye on what may unfold for Ribeiro and the alleged victims.

Halifax, Nova Scotia Police Investigating 2003 WJC Sexual Assault Incident

Following the big updates from the 2018 WJC sexual assault scandal in London, Ontario (see below), the police in Halifax, Nova Scotia have opened their own investigation into an alleged sexual assault incident that occurred during the 2003 WJC which Halifax co-hosted. After rumors on the incident surfaced, Hockey Canada hired its own third-party investigator. But now the Halifax police are investigating the incident. While no one is named at this point, this could also have implications for players from that team.

Alyson Walker Decides to Decline Executive Position with Canada Soccer

In a previous hockey’s business and legal updates article we discussed Alyson Walker taking an executive level position with Canada Soccer. Walker was with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. While she was supposed to begin on January 22, 2024, she has now declined that position. With not much provided publicly, Walker stated “personal reasons” as attributing to her decision.

A New NHL Team in Salt Lake City

This week, Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz in the NBA, formally requested that the NHL begin its process to grant an expansion team in Salt Lake City. The request was made through the parent company that owns the Jazz, Smith Entertainment Group. While the NHL will take some time to respond to this request, Smith is very serious. Keep in mind that the process for expansion requires many steps including NHL Board of Governer approval. (If interested check out our three-part series on buying NHL teams, including expansion rules, here.) Many were suspect of the timing of this release as it correlated almost at the same time as the 2018 WJC news provided below broke. In any event, stay tuned to see if Salt Lake City becomes the newest NHL team.

Patrick Laine Enters NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that Patrick Laine has entered the jointly administered NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. While the specific reasons for Laine’s entrance into the program are unknown, the program is generally there for players who may be dealing with any mental, emotional, substance abuse, or other related issues. The player may continue to be paid while in the program with the goal being to return to the team.

USA Hockey to Mandate Neck Guards

With more and more leagues taking stronger looks at requiring neck guards lately, USA Hockey announced that it will be mandatory for players under 18. This requirement will begin on August 1, 2024 and will require all players as well as on-ice officials under the age of 18 to wear neck protection during games or practice. Many other leagues and organizations already require the neck guards, or as was the case with the WHL, recently required their use following the unfortunate death of Adam Johnson in the EIHL due to a cut to the neck. While the question of recommending versus requiring neck guards still circles, the trend seems to be favoring requirement.

NHL Announces Partnership with NFP

The NHL announced it has entered into a multi-year, North American partnership with insurance company NFP. NFP will be the “Official Business Insurance Brokerage Partner” of the NHL. The deal begins immediately and will give NFP many marketing and exposure opportunities and rights across the NHL. This includes in game signage and board advertisements as well as Digitally Enhanced Dasherboards during marquee NHL events such as the upcoming NHL All-Star Game.

Hockey’s Business and Legal Updates Featured Story: London, ON Police Charge Five in Connection with 2018 WJC Sexual Assault Scandal

In this period’s hockey’s business and legal updates featured story, big news surfaced that sent shockwaves through the hockey world. The police in London, Ontario requested that five individuals surrender to the police to face charges of sexual assault that allegedly occurred during the 2018 WJC in London. The call to come forward correlated with leaves of absences of various members of Canada’s 2018 WJC team from their respective NHL and European teams. As of now, they should get paid and count against the salary cap but won’t count against the roster limit of their NHL teams per the CBA. What comes next may change that though.

The London police have been conducting an investigation into the situation and this is just the move to present charges against those selected. The individuals will still undergo a trial to see if found guilty or innocent.

While the five players granted leaves are innocent until proven guilty, Alex Formenton, formerly of the Ottawa Senators who was playing in Switzerland, came forward and gave himself in to the London police. But even with that, Formenton is maintaining that he is innocent. Which again is the case until the hearing(s) conclude. There’s a lot going on in this one so stay tuned as we give the highlights. For a more in depth look we recommend following Rick Westhead on X (formerly Twitter).

Post image attribution: By Dave Olson, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alec Roberson

Alec Roberson grew up in coastal North Carolina, taking a somewhat unconventional path to hockey. With hockey being almost nonexistent in that area, Alec found his passion for the game following the success of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2001 and 2006 and later played club hockey in college. After going through law school and practicing for some time, he now continues his love for the game through writing. Find him on twitter @roberson_alec

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