Frequently Asked Questions

The NHLPA is the collective bargaining representative for all current National Hockey League players. In this capacity, the NHLPA works to negotiate fair terms and conditions of employment and also assists players with grievances and salary arbitration. The NHLPA also operates a group licensing program on behalf of the players, and is responsible for managing the player agents' certification program. The NHLPA plays a major role in growing the game internationally through the planning, execution and player participation in the World Cup of Hockey, the World Hockey Championship and neutral-site games.

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) was formed in June 1967.

The Executive Board is the governing body of the NHLPA and is made up of one Player Representatives from each NHL club. The Executive Director also sits on the Executive Board as a non-voting member.

Each NHLPA member can elect to assign his collective image rights to the Association for the purposes of group licensing and marketing programs. The NHLPA can then negotiate license agreements with corporate sponsors and product manufacturers to include all players' likenesses on products ranging from video games to trading cards to apparel. In exchange for these rights, the NHLPA is typically paid a royalty and/or a marketing fee for any commercial use of the players. Players still retain their individual rights to endorse certain products or companies that aren't necessarily aligned with the group. Such companies, however, may not enter into agreements with more than two players without a group license from the NHLPA.

Any player on a current NHL roster is an NHLPA member.

The players on each NHL club elect a Player Representative and an Alternative Representative.

Players pay $30 (USD) per day during the regular season.

For the 2024-25 season, the Average League Salary (as defined in the CBA) was $3,817,293 USD.

The minimum salary for NHL players will increase every year through the 2029-30 season as follows:

Season Minimum NHL Salary

2025-26 $775,000 USD

2026-27 $850,000 USD

2027-28 $900,000 USD

2028-29 $950,000 USD

2029-30 $1 Million USD

A Player is eligible for salary arbitration if the Player meets the required years of professional experience set forth below (which vary based on the age when the player signed his first NHL contract):

Signing Age (First NHL Contract) Years of Required Professional Experience

18-20 4 years of professional experience

21 3 years of professional experience 

22-23 2 years of professional experience 

24 and older 1 year of professional experience

There is a maximum of 23 players on each club's active roster.

Prospective agents must submit an application form and related materials detailing their education, background, their current business and personal relationships, as well as previous business dealings. The applications are then thoroughly reviewed by NHLPA staff, which may make further inquiries or conduct investigations before any decision regarding an applicant's certification has been rendered.

There are approximately 200 Certified Player Agents.

The collective bargaining agreement, commonly called the CBA, is an agreement negotiated between the NHLPA, on behalf of the players, and the NHL, on behalf of the owners. It covers the terms and conditions for players’ employment with NHL clubs.

Although the NHL owners recognized the NHLPA as a union in 1967, the first collective bargaining agreement was not agreed to until 1975.

The NHLPA and the NHL ratified a new CBA on July 26, 2025. That agreement runs through September 15, 2030.

The NHL owners have locked out the players three times (1994-95, 2004-05 & 2012-13). The 1994-95 and 2012-13 lockouts resulted in shortened 48-game regular seasons. In 2004-05, the NHL cancelled the entire season. The players went on a 10-day strike in April 1992.