NHL back on ice for '05 season

After the first season since 1919 to go by without a Stanley Cup Champion, the NHL finally has agreed to get back on the ice for the upcoming year. The head of the players and owners association met for 10 days in New York, determined to make sure the puck drops for the 2005-2006 season, and agreed to a new six-year labor agreement. \nBoth sides still need to iron out the terms of the deal, including an expected salary cap, something the players never wanted. The salary cap will likely have a maximum set around $40 million and bottom-out between $20 to $25 million.\nIn an attempt to add more scoring and excitement for the fans, the league is talking about cutting down the size of goalie pads, as well as instituting a shootout to decide tied games. \nSome hockey purists may take offense to the change in the game, but most fans are just glad to see the game back. said Matt Henderson, a senior and forward on the IU club hockey team. \n"Loyal fans will always watch the game," Henderson said. "Everyone should be happy just to see the NHL back. I really like the idea about adding shootouts to tied games. A hockey shootout is one of the most exciting things in all of sports."\nMany hockey fans worry that the damage may be too much and stunt the growth of youth hockey in the country, said IU club hockey member and sophomore Sam Adler . \n"Personally, it would have turned me off a little. My love for hockey came from going to St. Louis Blues games with my dad," said Adler. "The changes hopefully will revive the game. People who don't play hockey will be drawn in by the new excitement."\nAlong with the salary cap, those players who are still under contract will be forced to cut their salaries by 24 percent. However, it is believed that the majority of contracts from last season will be wiped out, leaving many players without a deal. \nNHL veteran and current Philadelphia Flyers star Jeremy Roenick said he just wants to get back to playing.\n"To be totally honest, I really don't care what the deal is anymore. All I care about is getting back on the ice." Roenick said. "The deal is not great for players, it's definitely an owner friendly deal. Unfortunately, it had to take a whole year to get to a point where we could have been last year."\nWhile it is unknown how the NHL will turn out until when the game returns to the ice, it is obvious the players want to play, said Pete Johnson, senior and forward for the Hoosiers.\n"The players will bring in the fans," Johnson said. "They love the game and just want to get back on the ice."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.