Music: {allcanada} JUNIOR HOCKEY PLAYER DESMOND DROPS LABOUR COMPLAINT

Friday, November 2, 2012

{allcanada} JUNIOR HOCKEY PLAYER DESMOND DROPS LABOUR COMPLAINT

HALIFAX -- A junior hockey player says he's dropping a complaint over money with the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division because publicity he's had has been distressing to him and his family.

Josh Desmond says in a statement his complaint wasn't focused on wages but on contract conditions that prevented him from collecting scholarship money while playing for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"Unfortunately, the negative publicity and comments generated by my complaint have been very disturbing," reads the statement. "I do not wish any further upset to my family."

Desmond, who now plays for the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners of the Maritime Junior Hockey League, says he felt privileged to be a member of the Mooseheads and didn't intend to demean the organization.

"As this is not what I intended and I wish no further upset, to all concerned, I will be withdrawing my labour standards complaint," he says.

"However, I hope that the QMJHL and their teams take this opportunity to review the educational packages for the benefit of the players, teams and the league."

The 19-year-old says he launched the labour complaint under the guidance of the Canadian Hockey League Players' Association, a would-be union that has been making headlines for its dispute with the Ontario Hockey League.

The association claims junior A players aren't paid minimum wage, overtime, vacation or severance pay.

There are media reports the association's executive director, former NHL player Georges Laraque, plans to step down after a successor is found, but he did not immediately return messages seeking comment.