Collective Resignation of Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, Mike Murphy and Colin Campbell

To: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, NHL Senior Vice-President of Hockey Operations Michael (Mike) Murphy and NHL Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell

We, the undersigned NHL fans, call for your immediate collective resignation due to your mishandling of the case involving Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara and his disciplinary hearing regarding his hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty during the Boston-Montreal NHL game on Tuesday March 8th 2011.

Based on the public outrage regarding the NHL's decision not to suspend or fine Zdeno Chara for his blatant attempt to injure Max Pacioretty, we, the undersigned NHL fans, have lost all respect and confidence in your collective ability to do the right thing for your own players safety and rid the wonderful game of hockey of dangerous hits and attempts to injure players such as the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty.

The comments made by top league executives following the announcement of no further discipline on Zdeno Chara (other than the 5-minute interference major and game misconduct) has been well documented in the press and we, the Undersigned, feel they only contribute further to demonstrate your unwillingness to ensure the safety and the well being of NHL players.

Mike Murphy (quote from NHL.com): "After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly -- with both players skating in the same direction and with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous. This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career."

Gary Bettman (quote from NHL.com): "Our Hockey Operations people are extraordinarily comfortable with the decision that they made. It was a horrific injury and we're sorry it happened in our fast-paced, physical game"

These comments confirm your collective inability to ensure the safety and the well being of your NHL players (employees) and it needs to be condemned.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, believe it is more than time for a new regime to take over the day-to-day operations of the National Hockey League and, as such, request your immediate resignation.