All professional sports fans at some time or another have to deal with a lockout or the threat of a lockout.  While these times are tough and discouraging for sports fans, it does truly make us realize how much we love our favorite sport.

It was on this day, February 16th, 2005, that the NHL season was cancelled.  Commissioner Gary Bettman was forced to end the 2004 – 2005 season due to a lockout.  It would be the first time since 1919 that the Stanley Cup would not be awarded.

It was a sad day for hockey – as it was the first time that an entire professional sports season was cancelled due to a lockout.  The lockout would last 310 days and it ended once the NHL owners and players were able to come to consensus on the collective bargaining agreement.