Youngstown Phantoms, Muskegon Lumberjacks hire antitrust lawyer after being denied permission to leave USHL

The United States Hockey League’s Youngstown Phantoms and Muskegon Lumberjacks have hired antitrust lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, one month after being denied permission to leave the the USHL and potentially join the Canadian Hockey League, according to TSN reporter Rick Westhead.

Sportico was the first to confirm that Kessler had been retained by the Phantoms and at least one other USHL team. In a phone interview with Sportico, Kessler says it has “become known” the Phantoms hope to join the Ontario Hockey League, and have told the USHL of their intent to leave the league.

According to Westhead, Kessler has represented athletes and player unions for decades in legal battles with sports leagues, including the National Football League Players Association, Tom Brady, and Megan Rapinoe.

Sources told Westhead that USA Hockey, who controls the USHL, “recently began charging players who want to leaves for CHL teams a $50,000 transfer fee.” The same source said USA Hockey doesn’t want the Phantoms and Lumberjacks to leave the USHL because it would impact the U.S. National Team Development Program, which plays in the USHL.

The entire situation has been spurred by the NCAA’s decision last November to allow CHL players to play college hockey, a major change in policy for the junior hockey landscape. Since CHL players received compensation, they were deemed “professionals” and ineligible to play U.S. collegiate sports, meaning 15- and 16-year-old players had to decide whether they would play CHL hockey or wait a few years before enrolling in college.

Muskegon currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 20-10-6 record, good for 46 points. Youngstown sits one spot below in third with 41 points.