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Union proposed for junior hockey players

A proposed union is looking to represent the more than 1,300 junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League.

A proposed union is looking to represent the more than 1,300 junior hockey players in the Canadian Hockey League.

The union will be called the Canadian Hockey League Players Association and has been 14 months in the making according to CHLPA spokesperson Derek Clark.

“Players and agents feel this is long overdue,” said Clark.

The board of directors for the union has been selected including former NHL enforcer George Laraque who has been chosen as executive director.

Clark said no player agents will be allowed to serve on the executive board. He added the CHLPA already has player representatives for all 60 CHL teams.

The focus for the union is to gain improvements in the area of education . Clark said players have limited time to execute their education packages and if they pursue pro hockey they could forfeit those packages.

Another focus for the CHLPA is to get rid of the $50 per week stipend that players get as Clark says it is just a way to fight off NCAA schools.