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Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios took NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to task Monday before helping introduce Paul Kelly as the best man to become the new executive director of the National Hockey League Players' Association.
Chelios, who also played last night in Anaheim against the Ducks, was still irked by weekend reports that Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly had exchanged e-mail with former union boss Ted Saskin, apparently to help Saskin try to stay in office.
Daly is believed to have sent Saskin the names of players, former players and NHLPA staff members working against him. In an e-mail message, Saskin wrote to Bettman: “Looks like Bill is getting the Moscow trip in September; I may send Chelios.”
Bettman wrote back: “With a one-way ticket (cc not bd)?”
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It was likely meant as a joke, but Chelios saw nothing funny about it.
“I'd like to sit down in a room with Gary Bettman and ask him what he meant by that,” Chelios said. “I would love to know. For the past two years, the way Ted conducted himself, it doesn't surprise me one bit. As far as Gary Bettman [and the NHL] is concerned, there's no question what they did was unethical.
“The NHL supported [Saskin]. Was it illegal? No. Was it morally wrong? Yes.”
Chelios, along with former player Trent Klatt and Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Dwayne Roloson, was a significant thorn in Saskin's side for two years. Those known as dissidents were upset at how Saskin was hired in the wake of Bob Goodenow's resignation and how Saskin was signed to a five-year contract worth $10-million.
Later, after it was alleged Saskin had accessed the players' private email accounts to learn who was against him, the dissidents grew in number and were able to suspend Saskin and then fire him with what they believed was cause. That decision was endorsed by Toronto lawyer Sheila Block, who oversaw an independent investigation into Saskin's dealings.
Chelios was appointed to the NHLPA search committee to find Saskin's replacement. The other committee members were Robyn Regehr of the Calgary Flames, Shawn Horcoff of the Edmonton Oilers, Mike Cammalleri of the Los Angeles Kings and Eric Lindros.
Reilly Partners, a Chicago-based executive search firm, assisted in the process.
Kelly was nominated for the position of executive director in a telephone conference call among the 30 player representatives last night. He was the unanimous choice of the search committee, which informed the player representatives of his background and noted that Reilly Partners had conducted a background search on the Massachusetts lawyer.
The player reps were able to ask questions and will now inform their teammates of Kelly and his credentials before a secret vote is taken before Oct. 23. A simple majority in Kelly's favour would see him elected.
It is not known how much Kelly would seek in salary or how soon he could take office. Considered one of the top lawyers in the United States, Kelly has been a senior partner with the firm of Kelly, Libby & Hoopes since it was formed in 2000. He helped bring Alan Eagleson to justice when the former NHLPA executive director agreed to plead guilty on fraud and embezzlement charges.
Kelly has an extensive background in both criminal and civil litigation. Once hired, he would have more than a year before the NHLPA can exercise its option and re-open the current collective labour agreement with the NHL.
