Detroit — Bob Goodenow, a Dearborn native who led the NHL Players Association through two work stoppages, died at the age of 72. The NHLPA announced Goodenow’s death on Saturday night.

Goodenow attended Dearborn High School and went on to graduate from Harvard University in 1974 and University of Detroit Law School in 1979.

Goodenow became the NHLPA’s second executive director in 1992. He would lead the players for 13 years and was at the helm through a 103-day lockout that lasted from Oct. 1, 1994 to Jan. 11, 1995, which shortened the NHL season to 48 games.

The primary issue of the lockout was a salary cap, which the owners pushed for and players — guided by Goodenow — opposed.

The salary cap was again the main issue that led to a lockout that cancelled the entire 2004-05 season. The lockout ended on July 13, 2005, with the owners receiving a salary cap and the players getting 54 percent of total NHL revenues.

“The modern NHLPA, and the work it has done to improve the quality of life for thousands of players past and present, is a direct result of the foundation that Bob Goodenow built. His impact on the game of hockey is lasting and profound,” the NHLPA said in a release. “We extend our deepest condolences to Bob’s wife, Wendy, his children, Joe, Katharine and Kerry, and grandchildren, Kelsey, RL and Oona, as well as his family and friends. He will forever remain a vital part of the NHLPA family.”

The NHLPA said Goodenow’s death was sudden but provided no cause of death.

“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Bob Goodenow, a hockey man to his core who was a captain of the team at Harvard and played professionally in the IHL before serving as a player agent and as Executive Director of the NHL Players’ Association for 14 years,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Bob was a skilled attorney and tenacious advocate for the players he represented as an agent and as the head of the Players’ Association.

“We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Wendy, their three children, Joe, Katharine and Kerry, and his many friends and admirers throughout hockey.”

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

@tkulfan

Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.