The NHL and players' association agreed to bring in U.S. federal mediators in a bid to reach a consensus over a new collective bargaining agreement.
After several rounds of talks, the league and players' association failed to accept a common formula to share hockey related revenue. The league has already scrapped games through Dec. 14.
Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service George Cohen said Monday that both the parties want to use the agency to resolve the issue. The Federal agency assigned three mediators to assist in negotiations -- Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, Director of Mediation Services John Sweeney and Commissioner Guy Serota.
"While we have no particular level of expectation going into this process, we welcome a new approach in trying to reach a resolution of the ongoing labor dispute at the earliest possible date," the Associated Press quoted NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly as saying.
Cohen is experienced in helping leagues and their players reach an agreement. He successfully helped Major League Baseball and the players' association to end the 1994-95 strike. He also played a role in solving the dispute between the NFL and its officials this year.
Until three years back, he was an adviser to the NHL players' association, meaning he will not just be aware, but also understand the requirements of both the players as well as the league.
Executive Director of the NHL Players' Association Donald Fehr also has welcomed the Federal agency's involvement.
"We look forward to their involvement as we continue working to reach an equitable agreement for both the players and the owners," Fehr said.
The difference of opinions between the owners and the players led to the breaking down of communication. Last Wednesday, talks ended in disappointment, which then led to the NHL scrapping all games through Dec. 14.
The New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic and All-Star weekend to be held on Jan. 26-27 at Columbus, Ohio, have also been cancelled.
"I have had separate, informal discussions with the key representatives of the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association during the course of their negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement," Cohen said in a statement.
"Due to the extreme sensitivity of these negotiations and consistent with the FMCS's longstanding practice, the agency will refrain from any public comment concerning the future schedule and/or the status of the negotiations until further notice."
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