Former NHLPA head Goodenow, who led players through two long lockouts, dead at 72

By Canadian Press on September 13, 2025.

Former NHL Players’ Association executive director Bob Goodenow, who held the post for 13 years and led players through two long work stoppages, has died.

The NHLPA said in a release that Goodenow died suddenly at age 72. A cause of death was not given.

Goodenow became the NHLPA’s second executive director in 1992, succeeding Alan Eagleson who had stepped down amid allegations of fraud.

He led players through a 103-day lockout that lasted from Oct. 1, 1994, to Jan. 11, 1995 and saw the season shortened to 48 games.

At issue was the implementation of a salary cap, which owners wanted and players opposed. The issue came to a head again with the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 NHL season.

The lockout was resolved on July 13, 2005, with the implementation of a salary cap, as well as a salary floor and a guarantee that players would get 54 per cent of total NHL revenues.

Shortly after the agreement was reached, Goodenow was asked to step down as NHLPA executive director and was replaced by Ted Saskin.

Goodenow was born in Dearborn, Mich., on Oct. 29, 1952. He graduated from Harvard University in 1974 and from the University of Detroit Law School in 1979.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2025.

The Canadian Press