Former National Hockey League Players Association Executive Director Bob Goodenow of Dearborn, Michigan passed away on Saturday at the age of 72. Goodenow held the position as the NHLPA Executive Director from 1992 to 2005.
Second NHLPA Executive Director
Goodenow took over from Alan Eagleson of St. Catharines, Ontario. Eagleson was the NHLPA Executive Director from 1967 to 1991. There was a desperate need to replace Eagleson at the time, as he was investigated, and later found guilty of embezzling funds and fraud. Eagleson was sentenced to 18 months of prison, had his Order of Canada revoked, and was disbarred from practicing law.
Brief Hockey Career
Goodenow was a right winger at Harvard University for three seasons from 1971 to 1974. It is interesting that there are no statistics available in his first two seasons for the Crimson on Hockey DB or Elite Prospects. In the 1973-74 season, Goodenow captained Harvard and had 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 29 games, and had 36 penalty minutes. He was on the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Second Team as well.
Then from 1974 to 1976, Goodenow played two seasons of professional hockey with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League. He had 25 goals and 40 assists of 65 points in 108 games with 134 penalty minutes.
Education
Goodenow graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government Studies and Economics in 1974. He then graduated from the University of Detroit Law School in 1979.
Lawyer
Starting in the late 1970’s, Goodenow practiced labor law for the company Unisys. Then in the late 1980s, he practiced labor law in Michigan.
Impact in the NHL
Goodenow never played in the National Hockey League, but had a significant impact as a builder. He was initially the NHLPA’s Deputy Executive for two years from 1990 to 1992, and when Eagleson left, Goodenow took over and had a profound impact. In his first two months on the job, the players went on strike for 10 days, something the players never did when Eagleson was in power. Goodenow was also in power of the NHLPA when there was a three month lockout to begin the 1994-95 season, and was the NHLPA head when the entire 2004-05 NHL season was wiped out as the NHL sought and got a salary cap. However under Goodenow’s power, playoff bonuses increased for players, and players had more power when it came to free agency.
