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Mister President
It was early in the morning, but John Ziegler looked like he just walked off a movie set with his perfectly-pressed suit, french cuffs, and signature yellow tie. At just 5 foot eight, he wasn't a particularly imposing figure, though in another life he could have easily passed for one of those rich and ever so suave TV detectives.
Ziegler had been president of the NHL since 1977, and when we walked into his private office, he greeted us with a firm handshake and a warm gracious smile. The decor was modern, yet tasteful highlighted by his framed law degree which was strategically placed where it was near impossible to miss. As a sign of respect, we addressed him as Mister President, which he seemed to get a chuckle out of.
For the next two hours we discussed a number of issues, but none more pressing than the ongoing CBA talks. Among other things, we learned the two sides were scheduled to meet again next week, whereby Ziegler briefed us diplomatically on the major stumbling blocks. In the end, we thanked him for his time and left feeling far more in the know then we had been.
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