One of hockey’s most important figures for over a decade passed away on Saturday.

Former NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow, who led the players’ association through the 2004-05 lockout, passed away at age 72, the NHLPA announced in a statement.

The lockout was resolved on July 13, 2005, with the implementation of a salary cap, as well as a salary floor and a guarantee that players would get 54 per cent of total NHL revenues.

Shortly after the agreement was reached, Goodenow was asked to step down as NHLPA executive director and was replaced by Ted Saskin.

Goodenow, a native of Dearborn, Mich., served as the executive director for 13 years, from 1992 to 2005. He joined the NHLPA in 1990, serving as the deputy executive director.

“The modern NHLPA, and the work it has done to improv

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