Beaner
03-24-2005, 10:21 AM
from, www.tsn.ca
Crosby must wait: NHL draft cancelled
TSN.ca Staff with NHL files
3/24/2005
NEW YORK - Sidney Crosby, Gilbert Brule and hundreds of other future NHL prospects will have to wait a while longer for their names to be called out.
The National Hockey League announced Thursday that all events surrounding June's NHL entry draft in Ottawa are officially cancelled. The NHL has said repeatedly it would not hold an entry draft unless it had a new collective bargaining agreement in place with the NHL Players' Association.
"In the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, we are not able to conduct an Entry Draft in the traditional sense on the dates scheduled," said NHL Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Bill Daly.
"We apologize to the fans who had planned to attend this great event or participate in Draft parties both at their local NHL arenas and elsewhere. We apologize, as well, to the City of Ottawa, to the entire National Capital Region, and to everyone who already had put so much time and effort into creating a memorable weekend for the players and their families."
The cancellation of the draft was necessary because Ottawa-area hotels had to have advance confirmation of rooms that would have been booked for the hundreds of draft hopefuls and their families.
An entry draft will eventually take place once a collective bargaining agreement is in place with the players' union. It would likely be done by conference call rather than at a staged event.
No determination has been made as to when Ottawa will host an NHL Entry Draft, although the League is committed to bringing an Entry Draft to Ottawa as early as 2008.
"The city of Ottawa, Senators hockey fans and our corporate partners all were looking forward to showing the hockey world, and our future NHL stars, that 'Hockey Country' would have put on one of the best NHL Entry Drafts this June," said Roy Mlakar, president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Senators and Corel Centre.
"We're sorry that our faithful hockey community will not be able to share their enthusiasm this year, but we have shown our commitment to the NHL that the Ottawa Senators are looking forward to bringing the Entry Draft to the National Capital Region as soon as possible."
The Entry Draft in Ottawa was supposed to be the coming out party for Crosby, who was a sure bet to go first-overall. Crosby won his second straight QMJHL scoring title with 66 goals and 102 assists this season.
Commissioner Gary Bettman made two new salary cap proposals last Thursday, but Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow said they were very similar to ones that were previously rejected by the union.
Crosby must wait: NHL draft cancelled
TSN.ca Staff with NHL files
3/24/2005
NEW YORK - Sidney Crosby, Gilbert Brule and hundreds of other future NHL prospects will have to wait a while longer for their names to be called out.
The National Hockey League announced Thursday that all events surrounding June's NHL entry draft in Ottawa are officially cancelled. The NHL has said repeatedly it would not hold an entry draft unless it had a new collective bargaining agreement in place with the NHL Players' Association.
"In the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, we are not able to conduct an Entry Draft in the traditional sense on the dates scheduled," said NHL Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Bill Daly.
"We apologize to the fans who had planned to attend this great event or participate in Draft parties both at their local NHL arenas and elsewhere. We apologize, as well, to the City of Ottawa, to the entire National Capital Region, and to everyone who already had put so much time and effort into creating a memorable weekend for the players and their families."
The cancellation of the draft was necessary because Ottawa-area hotels had to have advance confirmation of rooms that would have been booked for the hundreds of draft hopefuls and their families.
An entry draft will eventually take place once a collective bargaining agreement is in place with the players' union. It would likely be done by conference call rather than at a staged event.
No determination has been made as to when Ottawa will host an NHL Entry Draft, although the League is committed to bringing an Entry Draft to Ottawa as early as 2008.
"The city of Ottawa, Senators hockey fans and our corporate partners all were looking forward to showing the hockey world, and our future NHL stars, that 'Hockey Country' would have put on one of the best NHL Entry Drafts this June," said Roy Mlakar, president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Senators and Corel Centre.
"We're sorry that our faithful hockey community will not be able to share their enthusiasm this year, but we have shown our commitment to the NHL that the Ottawa Senators are looking forward to bringing the Entry Draft to the National Capital Region as soon as possible."
The Entry Draft in Ottawa was supposed to be the coming out party for Crosby, who was a sure bet to go first-overall. Crosby won his second straight QMJHL scoring title with 66 goals and 102 assists this season.
Commissioner Gary Bettman made two new salary cap proposals last Thursday, but Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow said they were very similar to ones that were previously rejected by the union.