NHLPA Leader Kelly Fired in the Dead of Night

When stories of what happened to Jimmy Hoffa become legendary lore, the third NHLPA leading spokesman has reportedly been axed unceremoniously. And just like the speculation of Hoffa that took on a life of it's own, the hockey media is left scratching their collective heads as to what was the reason why Paul Kelly had been fired.

On Monday, the NHLPA's executive board voted "overwhelmingly to relieve Paul Kelly of his duties as executive director, effective immediately."

I suppose at the top of the list of speculative reasons was the affable nature of Paul Kelly and the presumption that he was getting too comfortable with NHL Commish and the Board of Governors BOG. If that is the reason, then the NHLPA insiders have more problems then they realize. They now run the risk of presenting the media, fans, and general public of a serious issue of destabilization. The third head of the union to be dismissed in 5 years.

Kelly succeeded Ted Saskin, who was let go in May 2007 amid allegations of monitoring players' email. Saskin had taken over when Bob Goodenow stepped down under pressure from the players on July 28, 2005, only two weeks after a collective bargaining agreement was signed to end the lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season.

The article explained that the pressure to have the matter settled was critical before the NHL 09-10 season began.

[Sportsnet.ca]