The ECHL is entering a labor stoppage.

On Friday, after threats of a season stoppage looming, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association officially began a strike.

On Monday, union representatives gave the ECHL notice of an impending strike, which would go into effect Friday as the league came back from their holiday break. The ECHL had 13 games slated for the 26th, all of which were postponed.

As is often the case with labor stoppages in sports, the league (and some of its teams) are painting this dispute in a vastly different way than the players’ side has.

In a statement, the ECHL made its made “last, best, and final offer” to the PHPA, who they say did not respond to the offer. The PHPA, meanwhile, has listed several issues that they say remain unresolved in their release, including uninterrupted healthcare coverage and travel on back-to-back game days.

Previously, players have voiced additional concerns over mandatory time off and per diem rates, among other things. When CBA discussions began in January, PHPA executive director Brian Ramsay accused the ECHL of unfair bargaining practices, including contacting players directly with CBA proposals.

The ECHL, one known as the East Coast Hockey League and now known simply by those letters, is one rung below the American Hockey League in the North American pro hockey circuit.

The ECHL is not the flashiest or most exciting of leagues, but it is an important step for many players and prospects as they develop.

Several notable Penguins prospects, including goaltender Sergei Murashov, forward Atley Calvert, and defenseman Finn Harding all played a significant number of games for the Nailers last season.

In total, six players currently listed on Wheeling’s roster were present at Pittsburgh’s development camp over the summer, and several current members of the NHL roster are ECHL alumni.

It’s unclear how long this strike will go on for, and what it will mean for game scheduling and makeups in the event it gets resolved before the season is out. But while the players’ union is rightfully fighting for better healthcare, wages, and breaks for their members, a prolonged stoppage could stunt the development of some of the league’s younger players.

Here’s some of the players with currently in Wheeling whose development might be impacted by this stoppage.