The following is a daily log of the NHL lockout, which began Sept. 16:

Wednesday, Feb. 16

Total days: 154
Total days of season missed: 127
Games lost Wednesday: The remaining 396 games of the 1,230 regular-season schedule.
Total games missed: Commissioner Gary Bettman canceled the entire season Wednesday when the league and the players' association couldn't agree on a number for a newly established salary cap.

Negotiations

There was no communication between the sides in the final hours Wednesday before the season was called off.

Ice chip

The NHL became the first major sports league in North America to lose an entire season to a labor dispute.

The NHL scheduled a news conference for Wednesday with commissioner Gary Bettman with the intention of canceling the season. The players' association was given until 11 a.m. Wednesday to accept a $42.5 million salary cap.

Last work stoppage

1994 (103 days)

News of the day

What many considered inevitable became reality Wednesday when commissioner Gary Bettman announced the official cancellation of the 2004-05 season.

"When I stood before you in September, I said NHL teams would not play again until our economic problems had been solved," Bettman said at an afternoon news conference. "As I stand before you today, it is my sad duty to announce that because that solution has not yet been attained, it no longer is practical to conduct even an abbreviated season.

"Accordingly, I have no choice but to announce the formal cancellation of play for 2004-05."

The league and the Players Association raised everyone's hopes Monday, when the NHL removed the linkage of salaries to league revenues while presenting a proposal that included a $40 million cap to the union.

The union in turn backed away from its hardline stance against a cap and made a counterproposal that initially featured a $52 million limit on team payrolls.

Both sides came back with counteroffers Tuesday, but both were rejected and Wednesday's 11 a.m. EST deadline imposed by Bettman came and went without an agreement reached between the commissioner and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow.

"I had hoped we would never see the NHL owners and their commissioner do the unthinkable and cancel an entire NHL season," Goodenow said. "But unfortunately, Gary Bettman and the owners did exactly that today.

"Gary owes an apology because he started the lockout. He put all of this in motion."

With Bettman's somber announcement, the NHL became the first major North American sports league to lose an entire season to a labor dispute. The cancellation also ensured 2005 to be the first year the Stanley Cup is not awarded since a Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919 forced the Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans after five games.

The darkest day in NHL history gained attention throughout the sports world as several other athletes weighed in on the situation.

"My gut instinct told me that they kind of had something under their hat and they were going to make a good announcement (Wednesday)," Canadian-born PGA golfer Mike Weir said. "I was surprised it was called off. ... As a fan, it's disappointing. ... I love the game, love to watch it, especially this time (of year because) it's getting close to March, April, playoffs start. And there will be nothing to watch on TV."

"I think it's a real shame," NASCAR driver John Andretti said. "I've missed hockey, and I know a lot of fans have missed it. ... I feel bad for the fans. They are the ones who get hurt in something like this."

And with the NBA's collective bargaining agreement set to expire this summer, some players were aware their sport could be headed in the same direction as the NHL.

"That's crazy to cancel a whole season," Toronto Raptors forward Matt Bonner said. "It's a real shame because nobody wins - the owners, the players, the fans. It's a lose-lose-lose situation and obviously, with our collective bargaining agreement expiring July 1 for the NBA, we need to work hard to make sure that doesn't happen to us."

With the demise of the parent league, the American Hockey League named Cleveland Barons left wing Ryane Clowe its Player of the Week. Clowe scored two goals and set up four others in two games while earning a plus-5 rating.

The Central Hockey League announced the Youngstown, Ohio franchise, which will begin play in 2005-06, will be named the SteelHounds.

The nickname was selected from over 2,600 entries in a contest, with the person who submitted the winning name receiving season tickets and an authentic team jersey.

"We are extremely pleased to now have an identity," Youngstown general manager Grant Buckborough said.

Where are they now?

With the NHL season officially wiped out, Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Eaton found a job in the AHL, signing with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Eaton, 27, is a veteran of 244 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Predators. He also has spent parts of four seasons in the AHL with the Philadelphia Phantoms and Milwaukee Admirals.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Krys Kolanos decided he needed a change of scenery, leaving the Espoo Blues of Finland for Krefeld of Germany.

The Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League posted a 6-3 victory over the Rockford IceHogs, but St. Louis Blues teammates Ryan Johnson and defenseman Barret Jackman combined for just one assist.

The Motor City Mechanics' NHL players contributed more offense as Bryan Smolinski of the Ottawa Senators, Sean Avery of the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios combined for a goal and two assists in a 4-2 triumph over the Richmond RiverDogs. Only defenseman Derian Hatcher was kept off the scoresheet for Motor City.

Since signing with the Mechanics on February 11, Avery has four goals and one assist in four games.

One year ago

The Predators made a key acquisition, obtaining right wing Steve Sullivan from the Chicago Blackhawks for two second-round draft picks.

The Edmonton Oilers added goaltending depth, acquiring Tyler Moss from the Vancouver Canucks for center Peter Sarno.

Miroslav Satan scored a career-high four goals, including the 250th of his career, as the Buffalo Sabres routed the Atlanta Thrashers, 7-2.

Kevin Weekes came within 50 seconds of his franchise record-tying sixth of the season as the Carolina Hurricanes ended a six-game winless streak with a 3-1 triumph over the Florida Panthers.

Owen Nolan scored twice and Mats Sundin collected a shorthanded goal and an assist to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, whose team-record losing streak reached 15 games.

Kris Draper and defenseman Mathieu Schneider scored goals as the Red Wings held the Oilers without a shot in the second period en route to a 2-1 win.

Scott Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo each had a goal and two assists as the San Jose Sharks halted the Flyers' five-game winning streak with a 5-2 triumph.

Daniel Sedin scored the lone goal and Dan Cloutier made 23 saves for his fourth shutout of the season as the Canucks posted a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.