Robert W. "Bob" Goodenow (born October 29, 1952 in Dearborn, Michigan) is an American manager, who became the Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players Association in 1992, succeeding Alan Eagleson. On July 28, 2005, Goodenow announced his resignation as Executive Director, with Ted Saskin being named his replacement.

Goodenow graduated from Harvard University in 1974 and from the University of Detroit Law School in 1979.

Goodenow succeeded Alan Eagleson as the head of the NHLPA in 1992 upon Eagleson's resignation. In Goodenow's first couple of months on the job, he led the players out on a 10-day strike on the eve of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Two years later, Goodenow and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman oversaw a 103-day lockout that lasted from October 1, 1994 to January 11, 1995.

Goodenow was also the NHLPA's Executive Director during the 2004–2005 labor dispute, which resulted in the cancellation of the2004–05 NHL season. A tentative agreement was reached on July 13, 2005.

On July 28, 2005 Goodenow was asked to step down as NHLPA chief and was replaced by Ted Saskin, NHLPA Senior Director of Business Affairs and Licensing and the head negotiator during the CBA contract talks. This resignation came less than two weeks after the NHL and the NHLPA came to the new CBA.

On December 15, 2007 TSN reported that Bob Goodenow had been hired by Russian businessman Alex Medvedev to help in the creation of a European hockey league to rival the NHL.

Goodenow captained the 1973-74 Harvard Crimson hockey team and was signed by the expansion Washington Capitals as a free agent. The 1974 Capitals rank as one of the worst teams in professional sports history winning fewer than 10 games in their inaugural season. He was cut by the Capitals prior to the season and played in the CHL for Flint.

References