From February 15-17th, Osgoode’s Hockey Arbitration Competition (“OHAC”) took place virtually and saw first-year JD students Tegpal Khaira and Brandon Bova claim the top spot.
Since its launch in 2020, OHAC has teams prepare written submissions and deliver oral arguments for a simulated salary arbitration hearing based on the performance of a National Hockey League (“NHL”) player who was eligible for arbitration during the previous off-season. This year, the player at the heart of the competition was Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha.
In order to ensure that the competition closely reflects the real NHL Arbitration process, the competition rules are based on the NHL’s salary arbitration policies, and the competition is judged by professionals with impressive experience in sports law and NHL arbitration.
This year’s OHAC final was presided over by NHLPA Certified Agent, Rand Simon, from Newport Sports Management. The hearing between Khaira and Bova, representing the Bruins, and fellow first-year students, Samuel Wells and Leandre Hamilton, representing Zacha, saw both teams showcase their impressive hockey knowledge and oral advocacy skills. In the end, however, Simon decided in favour of the Bruins.
The third-place hearing, which Matt Perron from Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) presided over, saw Ryan Boros and Parth Mehta claim bronze.
On behalf of ESLA, we would like to thank all of our competitors and the following judges:
Leonard (Len) Glickman, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Christina Skinner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Stephen Abosi, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Rand Simon, Newport Sports Management
André Nowakowski, Miller Thomson LLP
Jessie Lewis, Aird & Berlis LLP
Matt Perron, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG)
Joe Caligiuri, Tapper Cuddy LLP
Andrew Harmes, Goodmans LLP
