Gerry Meehan, a notable figure in Canadian hockey both on and off the ice, is remembered for his impressive playing career and later efforts to mediate during a pivotal NHL labor dispute. Meehan, who grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, was a standout athlete from a young age, excelling in various sports before focusing on hockey.

Meehan first gained local attention as a skilled shortstop on the Newmarket Peewee baseball team that won the Ontario Baseball Association ‘B’ championship in 1959. Despite early success in baseball, hockey quickly became his primary focus. Before transferring to St. Michael’s College School, one of Ontario’s hockey powerhouses, he played minor hockey in Newmarket, where his scoring prowess was evident. Local anecdotes recall Meehan netting 99 goals in a season, nearly reaching the milestone of 100, a feat remembered fondly among his childhood peers.

Meehan went on to build a significant professional hockey career, scoring 180 goals in the National Hockey League (NHL). Beyond his achievements on the ice, he also made his mark in hockey management. During the prolonged NHL lockout of 1994, Meehan was serving as the executive vice-president of the Buffalo Sabres. It was during this period that efforts to resolve the labor dispute through external mediation were considered.

A former teammate and colleague reached out to Meehan with the suggestion of involving Paul Weiler, a leading expert on sports law in the United States, known for his expertise in mediation and arbitration. Meehan, himself a sports lawyer, was intrigued by the proposal and recorded Weiler’s contact information. However, the NHL owners were reportedly resistant to involving an outside expert, particularly one described as a “pointy-headed expert from Harvard,” and the initiative to bring in mediation through Weiler did not progress.

Meehan’s journey from a celebrated youth athlete to a professional player and administrator reflects the challenges and opportunities within professional sports, particularly during labor disputes. His willingness to consider mediation, despite institutional resistance, highlights the complexities involved in navigating negotiations between players and ownership. Meehan’s career, marked by both athletic skill and legal acumen, serves as an example of how diverse talents can contribute to the world of professional hockey.