WHAT’S IN AN S.P.A.?

The Standard Player Agreement is the name for the contract between a player and an OHL club. It guarantees:

Up to $470 a month (or $900 a month for overage players) for living expenses such as cellphone bills and gas, up to $500 a year for a career-ending insurance policy, up to $1,000 a year for off-season training, a minimum education package, which includes one year’s tuition, books and compulsory fees for each season in the league,

up to $450 a year in honorariums, based on the team’s playoff performance and

additional expenses, such as room and board, travel, equipment, tuition and books (i.e. while the player is on the team), and medical and dental fees. Prior to the 2013-14 season, the SPA had different language around reimbursements (they used to be called fees) and guaranteed up to $50 a week (or $150 a week for overage players) for living expenses. It didn’t include any money for off-season training, and required a player to use his education package no more than 18 months after the end of his final OHL season. His scholarship was also void if he signed a professional contract with an NHL, AHL or European team. Now, a player has until 18 months after the end of his OHL eligibility to access his education package, and can still use the scholarship if he signs an AHL deal.