NHLPA STEPPING UP FOR THE CAUSE

It was in 2015 when Eric Lindros approached the NHL Players’ Association with the idea of starting a fundraising challenge for concussion research. Three years later, the goal of $3.125 million has been met.

“Our community stepped up in a big way,” said NHLPA Northeast Division representative Rob Zamuner. “The board was just really excited to be a part of this. And I want to make sure that it’s understood that it’s just not hockey. This is something for the general population. It’s great for grassroots hockey, but it’s also great for grassroots Ping-pong or piano. or whatever it might be. “Eric’s obviously gone through the issue himself. But he’s not focused just on hockey. He’s got kids. This is a societal thing.”

The NHLPA initially donated $500,000 as a gift to Western University’s researchers at the Schulich Medicine and Dentistry and Robarts Research Institute, with the remaining $2.65 million coming from donors in the community. According to Zamuner, this is just the beginning. “I think it’s fair to say that the landscape has changed,” he said. “But we still need to move it forward and not stop here. We don’t want this to be a one-and-done.”

— Michael Traikos

“Look, the league is going to do what it wants to do until it’s put to task, whether in the courtroom or the boardroom,” said Lindros. “I still think more things can happen at the pro end.”