Players’ Association to Get Involved

The NHL Players’ Association is taking a role in the protracted contract dispute between Alexei Yashin and the Ottawa Senators.

“Now, as the dispute evolves, it appears as though we will be involved in the application of the collective bargaining agreement,” union chief Bob Goodenow told the Toronto Sun on Thursday.

Yashin held out for a new contract before training camp and earlier this month was suspended for this season.

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Former Detroit star Vladimir Konstantinov has withdrawn as grand marshal of the Mount Clemens Santa Parade at Mount Clemens, Mich., after alleged threats.

Mario Fundaro, 54, was charged with stalking and was held in the Macomb County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. He is accused of threatening to shoot anybody who tried to stop him from blocking the parade Friday if Konstantinov was in it. “He made references to Vladimir being a communist and being in the Red Army,” Clinton Township police Capt. Gary Franey said.

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New Jersey wing Bobby Holik was suspended for three games by the NHL after cutting Anaheim’s Steve Rucchin with his stick in Wednesday’s game.