It's a part of the collective bargaining agreement, you can check out the actual section here
Scroll down to 23.4
The relevant part is
Quote:
Such a player who is thus permanently disabled from performing as a hockey player and as a result is compelled to retire prematurely from the League and who is entitled to benefits that had vested under the pension plan or plans described in Article 21 hereof shall be entitled to have additional contributions made on his behalf in accordance with the requirements of such pension plan and Article 21 until such contributions, together with contributions previously made on his
behalf, would represent contributions for 5 playing seasons in
the aggregate. The funds to provide such additional contributions shall be paid from the National Hockey League
Players Emergency Fund.
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It's a fund to provide for permanently injured players and their families pretty well.