Sports New Director of NHL Union Faces Challenges By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor a. NHLPA has finally ended its extensive search for a leader. Let’s hope that this time, history doesn’t repeat itself. Former US assistant district attorney Paul Kelly —a 20-year trial lawyer and a senior partner at the firm Kelly, Libby, and Hoopes, which deals primarily with white collar criminals and civil litigation—has his work cut out for him. The NHLPA is a perfect example of the way an organization should not be run. Kelly was one of the men who helped prosecute the first-ever NHLPA head director and all-around scumbag, Alan Eagleson. Eagleson was guilty of defrauding player’s pension funds, embezzlement, and federal racketeering charges. He served six months in prison. Eagleson’s damage went a lot further, however. He not only stole money, but he greatly restricted the growth of the game and effectively destroyed the credibility of the players’ union. Eagleson was succeeded by Bob Goodenow, who was instrumental in ripping open the lid on salaries that the team owners had successfully kept sealed shut for decades. Goodenow steered the NHLPA ship from 1991- 2005, but was fired by the union after a torturous lockout by the owners that wiped out the 2004-2005 NHL season, including the Stanley Cup playoffs. There had been a previous lockout in 1994-95, but it had only lasted 36 games. Goodenow had also engineered the 1992 player’s strike that lasted 10 days. After failing to prevent the onset of a salary cap, the players asked Goodenow to step down as head of the NHLPA on July 28, 2005. Goodenow was replaced by his right hand man, former NHLPA Senior Director of Business Affairs and Licensing, Ted Saskin. Saskin had worked in that position since 1992. Saskin came under fire constantly, for a number of highly controversial issues, until his dismissal on May 10 2007. Saskin was regarded by many players as being far too friendly with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and the way he came to power was reviewed and scrutinized. It was later found out that Saskin had been in secret communication with the NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly. (About the position?) A small players group led by Chris Chelios and Trent Klatt later uncovered that Saskin had misrepresented players and had not come to power by following the proper channels. Trevor Linden has also been implicated in Saskin’s shady rise to prominence, and has since resigned as the NHLPA’s player president. Saskin was ultimately fired when it was discovered that he had been illegally reading player’s emails. The player’s association had gone through numerous trials and tribulations since its creation in 1967, and has rarely been a strong, united front. It is still searching for new player president since the resignation of Vancouver’s Trevor Linden, but hopefully Kelly can bring some stability to the scarred organization. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire after the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, and renewing it will most likely be at the top of Kelly’s to-do list. In order to be successful at his new job as the union’s executive director, Kelly needs to strictly follow union guidelines, and improve the union’s image. This can start with the remarkable amount of ugly incidents on the ice. The relentless stream of blows to the head and devastating injuries resulting from cheap shots are harming the game. So good luck to Paul Kelly; history shows he’s going to need it. Flames’ Star Goalie Signs For Six-Year Romo Signs For $67M By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor Extention By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor S uperstar goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff has agreed to a six year, $34.8 million deal with the Calgary Flames. The contract averages out to about $5.8 million per season. The Flames acquired Kiprusoff from the San Jose Sharks in 2003 for just a second round draft pick, and since that time he has been one of the league’s best goalies. Kiprusoff was instrumental in leading the Flames to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals in 2005, where the team narrowly lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The following year, 2006, Kiprusoff was named the NHL’s best goaltender, as he was awarded the coveted Vezina Trophy, along with the William M. Jennings Trophy. Currently in his fourth season with Calgary, Kiprusoff is already the franchise leader in shutouts (21), and is widely considered to be among the top three goaltenders in the league, 16 with such stars as New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur, and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo. The Finnish-born Kiprusoff, 31, has participated in the last two NHL all-star games. In 2003-2004, Kiprusoff set the NHL’s modern day record for GAA, with a sparkling 1.69 rating. He has also been a workhorse for the Flames in the past two seasons, playing 74 out of 82 games in both years. This year, Kiprusoff is playing for a bargain rate of $3.6 million. Along with Flames captain Jarome Iginla and the team’s cornerstone defenseman, Robyn Regher, Kiprusoff’s new deal is below market value for a player of his caliber. Having these three signed to long term deals makes life a lot easier for Calgary GM Darryl Sutter, who must now set his sights on locking up superstar blueliner Dion Phaneuf in order to keep his formidable team intact. L. NFL news, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has agreed to colossal new contract worth $67 million over six years. Romo receives $11.5 million as a signing bonus, and $30 million of the deal is already guaranteed. Romo, 27, has now firmly entrenched himself as the franchise cornerstone for years to come. If all goes well, Romo could continue as a Cowboy until at least 2013. Romo became Dallas’s starter last season when he went 6-4 to lead the Cowboys back to the postseason for the first time since 2003. His excellent play earned him a spot in the season ending Pro Bowl in Hawaii. At the time of this writing, Romo is 6-1 this season, and has made the Cowboys into one of the league’s best teams. Romo’s career record with Dallas is 12- 5. Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones certainly believes that Romo can deliver the goods over a long period of time. “IT wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t think he gives us a chance to win Super Bowls.” Jones said at the news conference that announced Romo’s singing.