New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League on Friday announced the cancellation of the 2013 All-Star Weekend.
The festivities were scheduled to be hosted by the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Jan. 26-27.
The league also wiped out another wave of regular-season games, eliminating two more weeks through Dec. 14.
"The reality of losing more regular-season games as well as the 2013 NHL All- Star Weekend in Columbus is extremely disappointing," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "We feel badly for NHL fans and particularly those in Columbus, and we intend to work closely with the Blue Jackets organization to return the NHL All-Star events to Columbus and their fans as quickly as possible."
The lockout, which began on Sept. 16, has now caused the cancellation of 422 regular-season games as well as the Winter Classic.
"On Wednesday, the players presented a comprehensive proposal, once again moving in the owners' direction in order to get the game back on the ice. The gap that remains on the core economic issues is $182 million," said NHLPA executive director Don Fehr in a counter-statement.
"On Wednesday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the league is losing $18-20 million per day during the lockout, therefore two more weeks of cancelled games far exceeds the current economic gap. It makes the NHL's announcement of further game cancellations, including the 2013 All-Star Weekend, all the more unnecessary, and disappointing for all hockey fans -- especially those in Columbus. The players remain ready to negotiate but we require a willing negotiating partner."
