Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
20h ago
More adult players are now investing in the protective equipment.
As I watched Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters choose his words carefully on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but think of something Gordie Howe told me back in 2005.
Asked if restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk would be with the Flames for the start of training camp, Peters said: “There is a chance he might not be here.”
When the 21-year-old Tkachuk puts his name on the bottom of a contract, it’ll likely be worth more than $8 million per season.
Back in 2005, during a labour dispute, I asked Howe if he was upset about the money players made, and he said no. He said the players now “have a voice.”
It has been well-documented how poorly Howe was compensated for being the best player and ambassador that the NHL has ever seen five and six decades ago. Typically, Howe was happy for today’s athletes.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for players getting market value, and the market determines the salary. But as Mr. Hockey said, and Tkachuk will soon prove, today’s hockey players definitely have a voice.