NHL launches hockey's Declaration of Principles

The NHL and NHLPA have established a Declaration of Principles that fosters positive values and life skills in the hockey community.

The declaration was created after a group of governing bodies established a set of shared beliefs to help deliver positive experiences to all hockey participants and to guide the behavior of hockey organizations.

"The Declaration of Principles represents the hockey world speaking with one voice: our game teaches life lessons that can guide a meaningful future," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "While not everyone who plays the game will have an NHL career, every player at every level - and the family and friends of every player - can enjoy rewarding experiences and share a common commitment to respect, inclusiveness and sportsmanship."

Alongside the NHL and the NHLPA, 15 other hockey organizations joined in the effort:

• American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA)
• American Hockey League (AHL)
• Canadian Hockey League (CHL)
• Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL)
• Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL)
• College Hockey Inc.
• ECHL
• Hockey Canada
• International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
• National Women's Hockey League (NWHL)
• North American Hockey League (NAHL)
• U SPORTS
• United States Hockey League (USHL)
• USA Hockey