Berg v. Canadian Hockey League
SAMUEL BERG
CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

ONTARIO MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

WINDSOR SPITFIRES INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LONDON KNIGHTS HOCKEY INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

BARRIE COLTS JUNIOR HOCKEY LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

BELLEVILLE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

ERIE HOCKEY CLUB LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

JAW HOCKEY ENTERPRISES LP
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

GUELPH STORM LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KINGSTON FRONTENACS HOCKEY CLUB
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

2325224 ONTARIO INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS HOCKEY CLUB INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

NIAGARA ICEDOGS HOCKEY CLUB INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

BRAMPTON BATTALION HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

NORTH BAY BATTALION HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

GENERALS HOCKEY INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

OTTAWA 67’S LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

THE OWEN SOUND ATTACK INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

PETERBOROUGH PETES LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

COMPUWARE SPORTS CORPORATION
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

IMS HOCKEY CORP.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SAGINAW HOCKEY CLUB, L.L.C.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

649643 ONTARIO INC c.o.b. as SARNIA STING
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

211 SSHC CANADA ULC o/a SARNIA STING HOCKEY CLUB
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SOO GREYHOUNDS INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

McCRIMMON HOLDINGS, LTD. and 32155 MANITOBA LTD., A PARTNERSHIP c.o.b. as BRANDON WHEAT KINGS.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

1056648 ONTARIO INC., REXALL SPORTS CORP.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

EHT, INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS HOCKEY CLUB INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KELOWNA ROCKETS HOCKEY ENTERPRISES LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

HURRICANES HOCKEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS HOCKEY CLUB INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

BRODSKY WEST HOLDINGS LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

REBELS SPORTS LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

QUEEN CITY SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SASKATOON BLADES HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

VANCOUVER JUNIOR HOCKEY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

8487693 CANADA INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CLUB DE HOCKEY JUNIOR MAJEUR DE BAIE-COMEAU INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CLUB DE HOCKEY DRUMMOND INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CAPE BRETON MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LES OLYMPIQUES DE GATINEAU INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS HOCKEY CLUB INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CLUB HOCKEY LES REMPARTS DE QUEBEC INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LE CLUB DE HOCKEY JUNIOR ARMADA INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

MONCTON WILDCATS HOCKEY CLUB LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LE CLUB DE HOCKEY L’OCEANIC DE RIMOUSKI INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LES HUSKIES DE ROUYN-NORANDA INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

8515182 CANADA INC. c.o.b. as CHARLOTTETOWN ISLANDERS
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LES TIGRES DE VICTORIAVILLE (1991) INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SAINT JOHN MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB LIMITED
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CLUB DE HOCKEY SHAWINIGAN INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

CLUB DE HOCKEY JUNIOR MAJEUR VAL D’OR INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

WEST COAST HOCKEY ENTERPRISES LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

MEDICINE HAT TIGERS HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

PORTLAND WINTER HAWKS, INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

BRETT SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

THUNDERBIRD HOCKEY ENTERPRISES, LLC
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

TOP SHELF ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SWIFT CURRENT TIER 1 FRANCHISE INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

7759983 CANADA INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LEWISTON MAINEIACS HOCKEY CLUB, INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KITCHENER RANGER JR A HOCKEY CLUB
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KITCHENER RANGERS JR “A” HOCKEY CLUB
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

SUDBURY WOLVES HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

GROUPE SAGS 7-96 INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

MOOSE JAW TIER ONE HOCKEY INC. DBA MOOSE JAW WARRIORS
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

KOOTENAY ICE HOCKEY CLUB LTD.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES HOCKEY CLUB
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

LE TITAN ACADIE BATHURST (2013) INC./THE ACADIE BATHURST TITAN (2013) INC.
Law Firm / Organization
Torys LLP
Lawyer(s)

Lisa Talbot

Background:

  • Samuel Berg filed a class action against the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and associated leagues, alleging that major junior hockey players were entitled to minimum wage and employment benefits.
  • A proposed $30 million settlement for the class action, involving about 4,286 amateur hockey players, was initially declined due to concerns with the release provisions.

Legal Issues:

  1. Approval of the renegotiated settlement agreement.
  2. Evaluation of Class Counsel’s fees and requested honoraria for Representative Plaintiffs.

Court’s Analysis and Decision:

  • The court approved the renegotiated settlement, finding it fair and reasonable, after addressing the previously problematic release provisions.
  • The court considered the litigation risks, the duration of the legal battle, and the efforts of Class Counsel in reaching the settlement.
  • The court approved Class Counsel’s fees, citing the complex and lengthy litigation process that justified the contingency fee arrangement.
  • However, the court did not approve the requested honoraria for the Representative Plaintiffs, aligning with principles applied in similar class action cases.

Outcome:

  • The settlement, including its distribution plan, was approved, marking the end of a decade-long legal dispute.
  • Class Counsel’s fees were approved as reasonable considering the case's complexity and risks.
  • The request for honoraria for Representative Plaintiffs was denied, with the court emphasizing that such payments should only be made in exceptional cases??.
Superior Court of Justice - Ontario
CV-14-514423CP
Class actions
Plaintiff