Story byThe Associated PressFri, December 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM UTC·2 min readThe ECHL postponed 13 games Friday after players went on strike, causing a work stoppage in the North American development minor hockey league two tiers below the NHL. The Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced it “commenced job action” and cited travel for back-to-back games, a holiday break, guaranteed contracts, health benefits during the offseason and player compensation as unresolved issues in talks on a new collective bargaining agreement. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level,” executive director Brian Ramsay said. “Despite the union’s repeated efforts to meet and engage in bargaining, the league has continued to communicate directly with players in a manner that bypasses the union’s role as the exclusive bargaining representative.”Members of the PHPA voted last week to authorize its negotiating committee to call for a strike. The league and union have been engaged in collective bargaining since January.“Unfortunately, union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best, and final offer," the ECHL said in a statement, adding it would raise player salaries 20% in the first year, increase per diems, guarantee more off days and expand equipment made available to players.
