As it turns out, the NHL is open-shop; that is, players don’t technically have to belong to the Players’ Association. But there’s a catch.
Article 4.1 (b): “any Player who is not a member in good standing of the NHLPA must, on the 30h day following the beginning of his employment as a Player, pay … an annual service fee in the same amount as the periodic dues.”
Translation: Even if you choose not to benefit from the Players Association’s services, you have to pay for them. Here’s guessing there’s 100% enrollment in this “open shop.”
