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TSN Senior Correspondent

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Washington state legislators are considering a bill that may allow Western Hockey League teams to circumvent laws on child labour and minimum wage, a change WHL team executives say is critical for them to stay in business.

Washington state representative Drew MacEwen on Feb. 3 introduced the bill, called Bill 1930, and on Tuesday, executives with the state's four WHL teams testified before the state's labour committee that the bill would allow their players to be described as amateur, exempt from local laws.

The Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs all have players aged 16 to 20 year olds who get paid less than minimum wage, but do get room and board and, in some cases, qualify for college academic scholarships.

The testimony came Tuesday even as Washington's four WHL teams remain under investigation for possible child labour violations. A spokesman for the Washington Department of Labour and Industries, Matthew Erlich, confirmed to TSN that an investigation continues.

In 2013, the department received a complaint about how much money the players are paid in relation to the time they worked. The allegation claimed players receive less than the state's minimum wage.

Other U.S. states where Canadian Hockey League teams are based are believed to be monitoring the child labour investigation, which is expected to be concluded this spring.

Erlich has said his department could ultimately impose civil and criminal penalties.

Macewen testified Tuesday that the complaint didn't come from anyone with a direct connection to a WHL player or team, but rather from someone with "a gripe" with the league.

Russ Farwell, president of the Thunderbirds, noted in his testimony that unless changes are made, players in Washington might never get a chance to play in the NHL. That's because the NHL draft is held at the end of a 17-year-old player's season, and without the passage of Bill 1930, players who are 16 or 17 years old wouldn't be allowed to play in the state, he said.

"Out of the blue our players were being examined," Farwell said, referring to the child-labour probe.

Like others who testified, Farwell said that his team is the anchor tenant in his community's sports arena. Another executive noted that one of his players went on to represent the U.S. at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Another said his team haas sponsored a baseball team's trip to the little league world series.

The hockey executives' missives seemed to find a receptive audience.

Rep. Mike Sells, the chair of the labor and workforce development committee, remarked several times "Go Tips" in support of the WHL team in Everett.

According to a recent lawsuit filed against the WHL and its parent CHL, the "for-profit" league has paid some players as little as $50 a week.

Unifor, a union that wants to organize junior players, says players work about 1,000 hours during the course of the season. In Washington state, where the minimum wage is $9.32 an hour, that would mean each player should receive at least $9,320.

The pending bill, Bill 1930, suggests changes to the law that would protect amateur sports leagues and clubs, particularly those that are not-for-profit or limited liability companies. It's unclear whether the WHL teams would qualify for such protection.

None of the WHL team executives testified about the finances of their teams, and what percentage of revenue is committed to player compensation.

The legislators didn't ask them any questions about team revenue, or about how much money WHL teams are now selling for. One investment banker told TSN in an interview that CHL teams in mid-to-large markets typically cost at least $8 million.

A spokesman for Macewen said the bill is scheduled to be voted on by the labour committee on Thursday. If it receives majority support, it will go to the Washington house rules committee.

MacEwen said in an interview with TSN that he doesn't believe his bill will face opposition, and that most players are lucky to be playing in the WHL.

"I grew up in Wisconsin and played hockey and if I had the ability to play at this level, I'd take it in a heartbeat," he said. "For most people, it's for a love of the game. Is there a business end? Of course there is. Owners are putting a lot of money in to keep things solvent and afloat.

"It's not like the NFL or NHL. They've bought these teams for significantly less. From what I've gathered, if they went to a system where they pay the players, this league would not work."

Testimony can be viewed here