Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff is reporting that the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Mathieu Schneider are parting ways after 12 years. Since his retirement after the 2009-10 NHL season, Schneider originally started as a Special Assistant in the NHLPA and had been working as the direct Special Assistant to the now-former head of the NHLPA, Don Fehr.
Seravalli also pointed out that the dismissal had been pushed by the new Executive Director of the NHLPA, Marty Walsh. Some of the most significant projects in the league that Schneider had been directly involved in, were changes to the ’head-shot’ and boarding rules across the NHL, working directly with the league’s Senior Vice President at the time, Brendan Shanahan.
Even after his dismissal, it shouldn’t be difficult for Schneider to find employment elsewhere, either with an individual team, or the league itself. A veteran of 21 years in the NHL spanning from 1987-2010, Schneider spent time with Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers, as well as four other teams for short spells.
Other snapshots:
- In an ongoing legal battle with Diamond Sports Group, the parent company to Bally Sports, the NHL is reportedly seeking emergency relief funds if negotiations are not settled quickly. Currently, 12 organizations have their media rights held by Bally Sports, and with a Texas judge extending DSG’s reorganization deadline to September 30th, the NHL is seeking a contract break well before that date. On March 14, 2023, DSG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, holding responsibility for a reported $9B in debt, with the inability to pay.
- Seeing his exclusive draft rights expire only 48 hours ago, Peter Baugh of The Athletic is reporting that center Matt Stienburg and the Colorado Avalanche organization are still in contact about a possible contract. Stienburg was the team’s 63rd overall pick from the 2019 NHL Draft and had spent the last four seasons playing for the Cornell University of the NCAA, earning a four-game tryout with the Colorado Eagles at the conclusion of last year’s AHL season.