NHL cancels some preseason games

Games canceled through Sept. 30

Author: By the CNN Wire Staff
Published On: Sep 19 2012 02:48:54 PM PDT   Updated On: Sep 20 2012 06:17:10 AM PDT
Hockey puck
(CNN) -

The National Hockey League has canceled preseason games through Sept. 30, citing the lack of a labor agreement, the league announced Wednesday.

The schedule was to begin Sunday, but the NHL said, "The cancellation of the schedule was necessary because of the absence of a collective bargaining agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL."

In all, 61 games were canceled, including an Oct. 3 game scheduled for Belleville, Ontario. The league said festivities for the special game will still go on as planned.

The last time the NHL canceled preseason games was in 2004, which preceded a yearlong lockout of the players by the owners.

The regular season is scheduled to begin Oct. 11.

  • Copyright 2012 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.