For many years, Americans and Canadians have come together as
never before in our generation. We have banded together to
overcome tremendous adversity. We have weathered direct attacks on
our own soil, wars overseas, corporate/government scandal, layoffs,
unemployment, stock price plunges, droughts, fires, mad cow, SARS,
high gasoline prices, and a myriad of economic and physical disasters
both great and small.

But now, we must come together once again to overcome our greatest
challenge yet. Hundreds of Professional Hockey players in our very
own nation are going to be locked out, having to live well below the
seven-figure salary level. And as if that weren't bad enough they
could be deprived of their life giving pay for several months, or
possibly longer, as a result of the upcoming lockout situation.

But you can help! For only $20,835 a month or about $694.50 a day
(that's less than the cost of a large screen projection TV) you can
help an NHL player remain economically viable during this time of
need.

This contribution, by no means, solves the problem as it barely covers
the annual minimum salary, but it is a start, and every little bit
helps! Although $700 may not seem like a lot of money to you, to a
hockey player, it could mean the difference between spending the
lockout golfing in Florida or spending the time on a Mediterranean
cruise.

For you, seven hundred dollars is nothing more than a month's rent,
half a mortgage payment, or a month of medical insurance. To a
hockey player, $700 will partially replace his daily salary. Your
commitment of less than $700 a day will assist a player to buy that
home entertainment center or trade in the year-old Lexus for a new
Ferrari, or enjoy a weekend in Rio...

HOW WILL I KNOW I'M HELPING?

Each month, you will receive a complete financial report on the
player you sponsor. Detailed information about his stocks, bonds,
real estate, and other investment holdings will be mailed to your
home. Plus, upon signing for this program, you will receive an
unsigned photo of the player, lounging during the lockout on a
beach somewhere in the Caribbean (for a signed photo, please include
an additional $150). Put the photo on your refrigerator to remind you
of other peoples' suffering.

HOW WILL HE KNOW I'M HELPING?

Your NHL player will be told that he has a "SPECIAL FRIEND" who just
wants to help in this time of need. Although the player won't know
your name, he will be able to make collect calls to your home via a
special operator in case additional funds are needed (for unforeseen
Expenses).

YES, I WANT TO HELP!

I would like to sponsor a locked out NHL player. My preference is
(check): [ ] Forward [ ] Defenseman [ ] Goaltender [ ] Entire team
(Please call our 900 number to ask for the cost of a specific
team - $10 per minute). Please note that [ ] Jaromir Jagr has a
higher cost of $32,000 per day).

Please charge the account listed below $694.50 per day for the
duration of the lockout. Also, please send me a picture of the
player I have sponsored, along with a complimentary "Jagr 2001
Income Statement", plus my very own "Bob Goodenow (Executive
Director of the NHLPA player's Union) pin", to wear proudly on
my hat (include $80 for hat).

Your Name: _______________________ Telephone Number:________________
Account Number: _______________________ Exp.Date:_______
[ ] MasterCard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express

Alternate card (when the primary card exceeds its credit limit):
Name on Card: _______________________
Account Number: _______________________ Exp.Date:_______
[ ] MasterCard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express

hahaha very nice , but not all hockey players are money greedy , like my favorite hockey player Commadore from the calgary flames grew his beard and hair out till the end of the stanley cups then cut it off for cancer children charity , very nice of him =)

The problem with Hockey is that it isn't as popular as football, baseball or basketball- but the players want a comparable salary.

Sucks though- hockey is my personal favorite sport to watch.

Maybe I'll buy a jersey at the mall this year- they'll probably be discounted.

Hockey is actually one of the biggest sports for working with charities. Adam Graves always come to mind when thinking charity work. He gives a very large portion of his pay to different charitable organizations. And when he isnt on the ice he is working to raise money for them.
The main issue on the table for this lockout is a salary cap. It's not like the players are demanding money and refusing to play. The owner's are locking them out.

This sucks. I have no idea what i'm going to do with out hockey. I grew up playing. Played 16 seasons. Even a couple years playing Junior A hockey in Canada and Michigan. I would PAY the owners to let me play yet now we get rich assholes on both sides that are willing to do what it takes to break eachother. The only people who loose are the fans like me who worship the game. Fuck em all. After watching some of the best hockey I have seen in years in the World Cup now I get nothing. Greeeaaaaat! Maybe they will show some Euro lueages or something...=/

Don't forget revinew sharing among teams. This will also take money out of salaries and back into the teams.

Suffer through a winter of nothing but basketball? Thats too horrible to imagine.