Robert William Goodenow (October 29, 1952 – September 13, 2025) was an American lawyer who served as the second executive director of the NHL Players Association from 1992 until his resignation in 2005.
Background
Goodenow was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on October 29, 1952. He graduated from Harvard University in 1974, where he had studied government and played hockey, and from the University of Detroit Law School in 1979.
Two years later, Goodenow and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman oversaw a 103-day lockout that lasted from October 1, 1994, to January 11, 1995.
Goodenow was also the NHLPA's Executive Director during the 2004–05 labor dispute, which resulted in the cancellation of the
2004–05 NHL season. A tentative agreement was reached on July 13, 2005.
On July 28, 2005, Goodenow was asked to step down as NHLPA chief and was replaced by Ted Saskin, NHLPA Senior Director of Business Affairs and Licensing and the head negotiator during the CBA contract talks. This resignation came less than two weeks after the NHL and the NHLPA came to the new CBA. The Kontinental Hockey League was eventually formed a year later.
Personal life and death
In 1977, Goodenow married Wendy Schrock, with whom he had three children.
Awards and honors
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Year
!
|-
| All-ECAC Hockey Second Team
| 1973–74
|
|-
|}