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The American Hockey League – PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement
The following are frequently asked questions regarding key elements within the current AHL – PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the PHPA office for clarification at 289-296-5561.
Please note, this is merely a summary of the clauses within the agreement and does not constitute the official language of the agreement.
What is the length of the current AHL-PHPA CBA?
Is there a Minimum Salary for AHL Players?
What is the Per Diem Allowance for AHL Players?
Do Players receive Per Diem during an AHL Training Camp?
How is the Playoff Pool structured?
Are Players responsible for Pre and Post-Season Travel Expenses?
What is the Insurance Coverage Period?
What is the Dispute Resolution Process?
Is a Player entitled to his own medical records?
Is a Membership Assistance Program available to AHL Players?
Is a Career Counseling program available for AHL Players?
How does this CBA apply to NHL contracted Players in the AHL?
Will a Strike of Lockout occur during the term of this CBA?
What is a Standard Player Contract?
How long is the AHL Regular Season Schedule?
How long is the AHL All-Star Break? What do players receive if they are selected to play?
Does the CBA address the use of Performance Enhancing Substances?
Does the current CBA address the licensing of player likenesses?
What type of commitment do AHL Players make to Promotional Activities?
Does the AHL adhere to the same on-ice rules as the NHL?
Is there a maximum amount a player can earn?
Can AHL players be traded or moved from one AHL team to another?
Who qualifies as an AHL rookie?
What is the length of the current AHL-PHPA CBA?
The CBA is five (5) years in duration, beginning September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2024.
Is there a Minimum Salary for AHL Players?
Players playing in the AHL on an AHL Standard Player’s Contract shall receive minimum compensation as follows:
- 2019-20 – $50,000 U.S.
- 2020-21 – $51,000 U.S.
- 2021-22 – $52,000 U.S.
- 2022-23 – $52,500 U.S.
- 2023-24 – $52,725 U.S
Players on loan to the AHL from lesser leagues shall receive minimum compensation as follows:
- 2019-20 – $38,250 U.S. Clubs/ or $49,725 Cdn. Clubs
- 2020-21 – $39,000 U.S. Clubs/ or $50,700 Cdn. Clubs
- 2021-22 – $39,750 U.S. Clubs/ or $51,675 Cdn. Clubs
- 2022-23 – $41,250 U.S. Clubs/ or $53,625 Cdn. Clubs
- 2023-24 – $41,625 U.S. Clubs/ or $54,100 Cdn. Clubs
The above amounts shall be pro-rated daily over the AHL regular season.
What is the Per Diem Allowance for AHL Players?
The per diem allowance for each Player accompanying his team while he is away from his home city for the purpose of playing a regular season or post-season game is as follows:
- 2019-20 – $77
- 2020-21 – $79
- 2021-22 – $81
- 2022-23 – $83
- 2023-24 – $83
In the event any Club’s travel time to an away game is less than 3.5 hours, and return travel taking place promptly following the game is less than 3.5 hours, the Club shall make a single per diem payment to each Player in the amount of $25.00
Do Players receive Per Diem during an AHL Training Camp?
AHL Clubs conducting their training camp in conjunction with an NHL Club shall reimburse the Players at the same rate as paid to the NHL Players per day for meals. This amount shall be paid until the termination of the joint training camp. After said termination, or when an AHL Club is conducting its own training camp, the team shall pay to the Player who attends training camp under a signed professional contract an amount equal to the previous season’s regular daily per diem for meals until the conclusion of the training camp.
How is the Playoff Pool structured?
The distribution of the playoff pool shall be made on the basis of 22 shares for 22 players listed on the Clear Day List.
The Playoff Pool is now a fixed pool based upon a threshold of 75 total post-season games played. The fixed pool pro-ratedly decreases if under the threshold and increases pro-ratedly if above the threshold.
Playoff Pool
- 2019-20 $1.65 million fixed Playoff Pool
- 2020-21 $1.70 million fixed Playoff Pool
- 2021-22 $1.73 million fixed Playoff Pool
- 2022-23 $1.75 million fixed Playoff Pool
- 2023-24 $1.78 million fixed Playoff Pool
For 2019-20, the total Pool will be $1.65 million fixed, distributed evenly among 22 shares.
- 1st Round – $1,452 / 1.9375% (8 teams)
- 2nd Round – $3,375 / 4.5% (4 teams)
- 3rd Round – $7,116 / 9.5% (2 teams)
- Finalist – $14,250 / 19% (1 team)
- Champion – $21,374 / 28.5% (1 team)
Are Players responsible for Pre and Post-Season Travel Expenses?
Travel expenses incurred by a Player, his legal spouse and their children on the way to their home city at the beginning of, or during the season, are the responsibility of the Club. This includes airfare or oil and fuel for one automobile, the rental charge for a moving trailer, and reasonable food and lodging expenses.
Each Member Club must dress for each regularly scheduled or playoff game at least twelve (12) Players, other than goaltenders, who have played in a combined total of not more than two hundred and sixty (260) regular season game in the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, and any European Elite League, prior to the start of the season. Any player who particpates in European Elite League games duirng a hockey season in which the Player would be eligible to play in the Canadian Hockey League (excluding over-age year) shall not have such games count in the calculation of the two hundred and sixty (260) regular season games. Players on loan from the National Hockey League for a first fourteen (14) conditioning period shall not be affected by the aforesaid experience requirement.
If the event a Club dresses fewer than eighteen (18) skaters, the number twelve (12) shall be reduced accordingly.
Beginning with the 2020-21 season Players who have not turned 25 years of age prior to July 1 of the upcoming season will be considered to meet the standard of the twelve player requirement under this section.
In the event a Club dresses fewer than eighteen (18) skaters, the number thirteen (13) shall be reduced accordingly.
What is the Insurance Coverage Period?
All Players who are signed to an AHL/NHL contract or Pro Try-Out Agreement, and make the Opening Night roster qualify for off-ice insurance benefits, and receive coverage up to a maximum of 365 days in a coverage year from October 1 – September 30.
What is the Dispute Resolution Process?
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the CBA, including the renewal thereof and/or renegotiations for a new Agreement, or the AHL Standard Players Contract, or from the breach of any, shall be resolved by arbitration.
Is a Player entitled to his own medical records?
Within fourteen (14) days of a Club’s last game, the Club shall provide each Player with a complete copy of his medical records at the time of his annual exit physical. The exit physical shall document all injuries that may require future medical or dental treatment either in the near future or post career. The Club shall remain responsible for the payment of medical and dental costs associated with treatment of such hockey-related injuries at a future date.
Is a Membership Assistance Program available to AHL Players?
A drug, alcohol, financial, and stress-counseling program has been established for players and their immediate family members and is fully funded by AHL owners. The program has been branded as the REDLINE.
Is a Career Counseling program available for AHL Players?
Yes. The PHPA has created a Career Enhancement Program to assist Members with the ever-difficult transition from hockey.
How does this CBA apply to NHL contracted Players in the AHL?
It is recognized that Players who are signed to a National Hockey League (NHL) contract are bound by that contract, and the terms and conditions thereof while they are assigned to an AHL Club. It is agreed that no provision of this Agreement shall be applicable to a player playing under the NHL contract if such provision conflicts with his benefits or obligations as set forth in his NHL contract.
Will a Strike of Lockout occur during the term of this CBA?
There shall at no time during the term of this Agreement be any strikes, walkouts or the use of any method of lockout.
What is a Standard Player Contract?
In the event a Player shall play in the AHL under other than an NHL contract, the Player and the AHL Club for which he plays shall enter into an AHL Standard Player’s Contract. The AHL Standard Player’s Contract is the agreement between the Team and Player which sets the terms and conditions of employment.
How long is the AHL Regular Season Schedule?
The regular season shall not exceed eighty (80) games.
How long is the AHL All-Star Break? What do players receive if they are selected to play?
There shall be a four (4) day All-Star Event Break, if said event is played. Teams and Players not participating in the All-Star Event may not practice during the break and there shall be no travel, Player appearances, or promotional requirements for a 72-hour period.
The AHL shall provide transportation and accommodations for each Player and the spouse of each Player who participates in the AHL All-Star Game. Each All-Star participant will be given per diem as per this Agreement.
Does the CBA address the use of Performance Enhancing Substances?
A performance enhancing substances program has been implemented for American Hockey League players, effective as of the 2014-15 season.
The program substantially replicates the collectively bargained policies already in place for NHL Players.
In the NHL, a first positive test results in a 20-game suspension without pay and mandatory referral to the league’s Substance Abuse/Behavioral Health Program for evaluation, education and possible treatment.
A second positive test brings a 60-game suspension without pay.
A third positive test results in a permanent suspension. A player receiving a third positive test and a permanent suspension from play in the league will, however, be eligible to apply for reinstatement after two years.
The AHL drug testing program will be administered by the doctors who supervise the NHL/NHLPA Performance-Enhancing Substances Program and the Substance Abuse/Behavioral Health Program.
Does the current CBA address the licensing of player likenesses?
The PHPA and the League continue to jointly license all trading cards or similar collectible products that utilize Player likeness. Neither the PHPA nor the League shall license any such licensees solely unless the other declines to participate.
What type of commitment do AHL Players make to Promotional Activities?
Promotional activities including, but not limited to, personal appearances shall continue to be the obligation of the Players. The Players agree and recognize their obligation to assist in the promotion of the marketing of hockey in general and the American Hockey League. However, promotional and/or personal appearances are not to be scheduled on a day immediately following an extended road trip (5 days). Upon request, the Players shall wear AHL or Member Club licensed apparel as provided by the Club for television interviews on League contracted telecasts.
Does the AHL adhere to the same on-ice rules as the NHL?
The AHL adopts most of the same rules currently implemented in the NHL. The AHL also has in the past experimented with rule changes as a trial test for the NHL. For example, the No-Handling Goalie Zone, Shootout and One-Minute Minor Penalty in overtime are all rules that were first implemented in the AHL.
Is there a maximum amount a player can earn?
There is no maximum salary a player in the AHL can earn.
Can AHL players be traded or moved from one AHL team to another?
Yes, the AHL Club shall have the right to sell, assign, exchange, and transfer a contract, and to loan the Player’s services to any other professional hockey club.
Who qualifies as an AHL rookie?
Players who enter the season with fewer than 25 games of professional experience in North America (NHL or AHL) or fewer than 100 games of experience in a European elite league qualify as an AHL rookie.
