May 19 2005
The time for taking sides is over. The NHL lockout is an insult to the game and its fans. How do we respond? Fight back, the only way you can.
- Write the National Hockey League, the NHL Players' Association and your favourite team. Protest their shoddy treatment of the world's greatest game. Tell them all that they are an embarrassment to hockey. Demand better. Details on how to contact the NHL, its 30 teams and the NHLPA are listed at the bottom of this page. For maximum effect, be frank, but civil.
- Do not purchase any souvenirs, collectibles or other products bearing NHL logos, photos of players or anything else connected with the NHL.
- If you own an NHL jersey, cap, t-shirt, etc., do not wear it. If you really want to make a statement, wrap the jersey and send it back to the team, with a note explaining that you are ashamed to have such an item in your closet. Suggest that the team owner wear it in public.
- Do not attend public appearances by NHL personalities.
- Do not purchase any products that use NHL personalities as pitchmen. If the opportunity presents itself, explain to the merchant that an association with the NHL only drives your business elsewhere.
- If your favourite charity uses an NHL personality as its spokesman, write the charity and suggest that this person is no longer an appropriate face for their cause.
- Write newspapers, radio stations and television networks, demanding that they keep coverage of the NHL lockout to a minimum. We are no longer interesting in hearing the pathetic excuses of players or owners.
- If you buy a newspaper or magazine featuring an article about an NHL personality, clip it and send it back to the publisher. Include a note explaining that until the lockout is over, these people and their lives are of no interest to you.
- If you subscribe to official team fan clubs, team magazines, or the NHL Network, cancel the subscription.
- Go see a game. There are at least 90 minor-league pro teams playing across North America, 87 men's and women's NCAA hockey programs (in Division One alone), over 50 top-flight junior teams, a dozen women's senior teams playing in two leagues, and countless other junior, senior and semi-pro hockey teams. Who needs the NHL?
NHL vice president Bill Daly
NHL Feedback Page
National Hockey League
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
The Club Info page at the NHL website includes direct links to email and mailing addresses for all 30 NHL teams.
NHLPA Feedback Page
National Hockey League Players' Association
777 Bay Street, Suite 2400
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5G 2C8
