Johnny Gaudreau's family granted $48.75 million dollars following rules determined by NHL CBA

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
September 4, 2024 (4:49 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

As Johnny Gaudreau's family is currently suffering through the pain of his death, as a result of a heartbreaking accident on August 29th. Fans can be reassured, however, that thanks to the current CBA the Gaudreau's will be supported beyond the 2024 season.

Thanks to Article 23 of the current NHL CBA, this part of the agreement provided protections for families of both active and retired NHL players.

Following Gaudreau's passing, the family will be taken care of as they will receive continued health coverage for the next 6 months. The NHL Club will be covering the premiums for Gaudreau's dependents. After these six months have passed, his wife and kids can purchase a COBRA plan, or depending upon Johnny's eligibility transition coverage to a retired players plan.

The CBA ensures that covered dependents can maintain the same level of coverage they've had prior to this six-month period. Since this is considered an event, they can change their plan without waiting for the next enrollment period.

Additionally, the CBA has provisions that makes sure covered dependents such as Gaudreau's children are covered by the plan until the age of 26. This clause covers them if there's no surviving parent who'd be eligible for the coverage.

Also, Meredith Gaudreau will continue to be covered by the CBA, as she will receive Johnny's salary maintaining financial stability for the family, as they weather this difficult period in life. While it is difficult to consider these circumstances, the NHLPA has made sure families of NHL players are supported during tragedies and Gaudreau's family will be supported thanks to Article 23.

CBA �23.6(c) amended to provide:
� Effective immediately, coverage for the Player's eligible
dependents will continue automatically for six months
following the death of an active Player or a retired Player
who was covered under the Plan as of his date of death.

� Premiums will be paid by the NHL Club for the
dependents of active Players. Following the 6-month
period, surviving dependents may then elect to purchase
continuation of coverage under COBRA for 36 months, or
continue coverage under the retired Player plan options
if the Player otherwise qualified for such coverage under
Article 23.6.

� Premiums will be waived by the Fund for six months in the
case of a retired Player who was covered under the plan
as of his date of death.

� The parties can explore the availability and cost for the
Fund to purchase a life insurance policy with the Fund as
the beneficiary to cover this risk, subject to cost sharing
of any premium costs for active Players and retired
Players as outlined below.

� Coverage for the surviving dependents will remain the
same as the coverage that was in effect on the date of
the retired Player's death (e.g., if the dependents were
covered by the PPO plan as of the date of the retired
Player's death, they will remain in the PPO plan for the
automatic six-month coverage period). After the 6-month
period ends, surviving dependents may elect to continue
coverage on a premium paying basis through COBRA for
36 months, or pursuant to Article 23.6(c) through the
retired Player plan options if the Player otherwise
qualified for such coverage under Article 23.6. The
surviving dependents will be provided with the
opportunity to change their plan option at such time (i.e.,
they will not have to wait until the next open enrollment
date to make a change).

� Article 23.6(c) to be amended to add the right for a
Player's dependent child(ren) to be eligible to elect
continuation of coverage to age 26, on a premium paying
basis, when there is no surviving parent who would
otherwise be eligible to elect such coverage.

� Article 23.6(c) to be revised to specifically articulate the
existing rule that the surviving spouse benefit includes
coverage for dependent children up to age 26.