ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -- Trent Klatt won't give up the fight until he feels justice is served.
Speaking for the first time publicly since launching a campaign questioning the way Ted Saskin was elected executive director of the NHL Players Association, Klatt said the proper process was not followed.
Led by Klatt, a group of more than 60 players has asked the National Labour Relations Board and the Department of Labour in the United States to investigate the practices used by NHLPA president Trevor Linden to hire Saskin to replace Bob Goodenow, who was forced to resign following the 301-day lockout.
The players don't believe Linden and Saskin used the proper channels and they've hired lawyer Robert Lanza to pursue the case.
"This could be resolved if (Saskin) just told the truth," Klatt said from his Minnesota home.
"I don't understand what (Saskin) is trying to hide. I just don't understand what he has to gain by doing things this way."
A former VP on the union's bargaining committee, Klatt has a web site called www.trentklatt.com.
Saskin has been meeting with teams individually to explain the process of his election.
Reports indicate Isles' goalie Garth Snow called Saskin "back stabber" and stormed out of the room during a meeting Monday in New York.
"(Goodenow) was let go and when I got home I read the constitution and I realized the way it was done was illegal," said Klatt. "At the start, this was never about (Saskin) because I thought he was the right man for the job. I just wanted the process followed.
"Now, with everything that has gone on, I'm not sure I can trust Ted anymore. If he had just been transparent about everything, I don't think we would have had a problem."
Lanza said the process isn't going to be easy. The union is arguing the NLRB and the labour department have no jurisdiction over the NHLPA because they are based in Toronto.
Lanza said the group will go to federal court if that route fails.
"What has happened here is a disgrace," said Lanza.
The union would not comment.
