Lockout Decision Reached: 2014/2015 Season to Go Forward

After just nine days of simple resolution discussions, the EASHLPA and the EASHL Commissioner were able to reach a tentative agreement that allows the 2014/2015 EASHL season to go forward as initially planned; the only caveat being that the league must re-sign it's contract with the original company that supports the popular hockey clubs.

Instead of playing their upcoming 2014/2015 games under the new XBX1 contract as originally intended back in 2013, the EASHLPA has agreed to continue playing under the existing contract with XB360 company - the primary source of cash flow for the EASHL since 2009.

"We found the relationship with XB360 to be slightly stale. But when it came down to it, and we were faced with the potential of a lockout - well it's just better for the boys. Not to mention the fans." remarked Captain of the Canadian Cowboys Michael the Magic (Georgetown, ON).

Given the nature of the contract, the EASHLPA agrees to play out their entire 2014 season with support from the XB360 stock, with no potential for alteration or renew
al with the XBX1 - that is, pending any further cash infusion with XBX1. Should the new contract come under further scrutiny, it may prompt the CEO of the XBX1 contract Sean Ramjangsingh to reformat the outstanding contract with the EASHL.

"As a company, we’re 100% committed to the EASHL. While we can’t deliver EASHL in under the terms of the XBX1 contract, we have huge plans in future iterations of the outlined terms. We will be putting together a small EASHL committee to ensure that we deliver a contract that is bigger and better than any of us would have imagined when we first introduced the league in 2009." commented Ramjangsingh, affectionately referred to as "Rammer."

Rammer goes on: "Decisions like this are never easy, nor do we take them lightly. We know that there is a passionate group of fans that loves this leauge and is no doubt disappointed with this news; but we also know that this same group of fans expects a high quality  experience above anything else. We’re a franchise built on quality, so crafting these contracts without confidence in their quality wasn’t something that we were willing to do."

While many teams in the EASHL are unhappy with the decision, it would seem that the overall consensus has been positive. The league was waiting on the Canadian Cowboys to consent to the agreement, as many of the players were reluctant to sign any deals under the XB360 terms and conditions. Cowboys Captain Michael the Magic was the last to sign on behalf of the hundreds of EASHL teams this morning - and the fans could not be more thrilled.

"This is who we are. I won't even deal with the XBX1 contract until it's up to par with our expectations" commented tough-guy defender Bean Squeeze (Burlington, ON). "I'd rather go to Schindler's birthday party and eat Christmas Ham than sign that deal." 

The 2014 season comes to a close on September 6, and the 2015 season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday September 9, 2014 - two weeks from the signing of the new agreement.