Case: Collyard v. Washington Capitals; Williams v. Boston Bruins

5:78-cv-00056 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: 1978

Closed Date: Nov. 11, 1979

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1978 and 1979, two American hockey players brought separate lawsuits against the National Hockey League, its teams and federal government officials in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging violations of Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101, et seq. and the Minnesota Human Rights Act for the NHL's hiring of Canadian-born hockey players in lieu of qualified American players. Plaintiffs maintained that the practice amounted to discrimination based on national …

In 1978 and 1979, two American hockey players brought separate lawsuits against the National Hockey League, its teams and federal government officials in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging violations of Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101, et seq. and the Minnesota Human Rights Act for the NHL's hiring of Canadian-born hockey players in lieu of qualified American players. Plaintiffs maintained that the practice amounted to discrimination based on national origin and a violation of federal immigration law.

Defendants moved to dismiss the case for failure to state a claim and lack of jurisdiction. Plaintiffs moved for leave to amend their complaints.

On October 11, 1979, the District Court (Judge Miles W. Lord) issued its memorandum and order denying leave to amend the complaints and dismissing both cases. Judge Lord held that the Immigration and Nationality Act did not create a private cause of action against the government under the circumstances. He also found that there was no jurisdiction over the various hockey team defendants. Collyard v. Washington Capitals, 477 F.Supp. 1247 (D.Minn. 1979).

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (11/4/2007)

People

Judge(s)

Lord, Miles Welton (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Balmer, James W. (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Anderson, Thorwald H. (Minnesota)

Brand , Irving R. (Minnesota)

Egan, Mary L. (Minnesota)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

5:78-cv-00056

5:79-cv-00030

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Collyard v. Washington Capitals

Oct. 11, 1979

Oct. 11, 1979

Order/Opinion

477 F.Supp. 477

Docket

Last updated April 3, 2024, 3:08 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: 1978

Closing Date: Nov. 11, 1979

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Two American born hockey players

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

National Hockey League, Private Entity/Person

U.S. Department of Labor, Federal

U.S. Attorney General, Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Employment