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| For immediate release | March 14, 2000 |
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(OTTAWA) — The 14,000-member National Hockey League Fans' Association (NHLFA.com) has thrown its support behind the Ottawa Senators in their decision not to deal Alexei Yashin in advance of today's NHL trading deadline.
Yashin walked out on the team last fall when the Senators refused to renegotiate his contract while the centre still had a year remaining.
"We're totally behind the Senators on this and believe it has ramifications far beyond the Ottawa Senators. This action by the team sends a message to all professional athletes that a signed contract must be honored," said Jim Boone, co-founder of the NHLFA.
The NHLFA also expressed its approval of a group Ottawa of season ticket holders who are suing Yashin over his refusal to play for the Senators this season. Leonard Potechin, who is heading up the group, said he applauds Senators' owner Rod Bryden for digging in his heals.
"If the Senators had traded Yashin, all they would have realized is short term gain for long term pain," Mr. Potechin said.
"The members of our Association and indeed hockey fans everywhere are sick and tired of being treated as if we don't exist. Unfortunately, Yashin's ill-conceived decision not to fulfill his contractual obligations with the Senators is just another example of how irrelevant the fans have become in the minds of some players," said Jim Spendlove, co-founder of the NHLFA.
The NHLFA recently polled its members regarding Yashin's walk out. Of those who responded to the poll, 73 per cent felt the NHLFA should publicly support the lawsuit being brought against Yashin by season ticket holders, while 87 per cent of respondents believed Yashin owes the Senators another year of service as a result of his refusal to report for the 1999-2000 season.
NHLFA.com debuted in April 1998 to give fans a voice in the future of NHL hockey. Fans can join the 14,000-member Association for free by visiting its web site (www.nhlfa.com).
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