Former NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow dies at 72
A famous face in the sport has passed away.
On Saturday, the National Hockey League announced that Bob Goodenow, the former executive director of the NHL Players’ Association, died at the age of 72.
Goodenow became the second person to ever hold the position, taking over for Alan Eagleson in 1992. Ever known as a “player’s executive,” the Harvard graduate led the players to a 10-day strike right before the 1992 Stanley Cup Playoffs. A couple of years later, he led the NHLPA during the 103-day lockout that shortened the 1994-95 season.
Goodenow’s biggest moment in the spotlight came during the 2004-05 lockout. While the NHL tried to institute a salary cap, Goodenow tried to keep the money in the players’ pockets. The labor dispute led to the entire season being canceled.
As a result, Goodenow was asked to resign in July 2025, and was replaced by then-director of business affairs, Ted Saskin, who was a key negotiator during collective bargaining agreement contract talks. Goodenow’s departure came a little over a week after the NHL and NHLPA came to a new CBA.
Commissioner Gary Bettman, with whom Goodenow went toe-to-toe with many times during his tenure on the job, remembers Goodenow fondly.
“Bob was a skilled attorney and tenacious advocate for the players he represented as an agent and as the head of the Players’ Association,” Bettman said in a statement. “We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Wendy, their three children, Joe, Katharine and Kerry, and his many friends and admirers throughout hockey.”
The NHLPA also released a statement:
“Bob was an exceptionally influential leader whose unwavering commitment to the players helped shape the modern era of the NHLPA. He joined the NHLPA in 1990 as Deputy Executive Director and transitioned to Executive Director in 1992, stabilizing the Association during a tumultuous time. Bob quickly put his stamp on the organization by elevating the level of representation provided by the NHLPA’s staff, tirelessly working to educate the players, strengthening the membership and building trust in the office’s work on behalf of the players.”
In addition to his work as a negotiator, Goodenow helped co-found the NHLPA Goals & Dreams in 1999, as well as contributing to the league’s launch of the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and facilitating NHLers’ participation in the Olympics in 1998. Goodenow was also key in implementing the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.
Goodenow also had a respectable playing career. Along with playing four years at Harvard, where he served as team captain, he played a pair of seasons with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League, as well as representing the United States at the 1974 and 1975 IIHF Men’s World Championships.