REPORT | Former Mayor of Boston being hired as head of the NHLPA

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Dorin Canaday
February 7, 2023 (2:52 PM)

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The NHLPA has been looking for a replacement for Executive Director Donald Fehr, who has reportedly been �'out-maneuvered'' by Gary Bettman for too long.

The alleged top candidate is U.S Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, and as TSN's Chris Johnston shared, has some heavy ties to Boston:

''Marty Walsh is the former mayor of Boston and has a heavy union background. It sounds like he entered the NHLPA's leadership search relatively recently and quickly won support of the search committee.''

Although nothing has been confirmed, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff broke some major news regarding the subject this morning:

''Sitting U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh will be formally installed as the next Executive Director of the NHL Players' Association in the coming days following Tuesday night's State of the Union address by President Joe Biden, sources tell Daily Faceoff.''

It's reported that an executive board vote will happen in the next few days, where Walsh will require at least 18 �yes' votes among the 32-team player representatives. However, as Seravalli thinks it's all but a done deal:

''That [vote] is a formality as Walsh is expected to be unanimously approved. An official announcement of Walsh's appointment could come before the end of the week.''

Walsh was sworn is as Mayor of Boston on January 6th, 2014 and held that position until his resignation on March 22nd, 2021. The 54 year old has been the U.S. Secretary of Labor since then.

Fehr, 74, has been at his position since 2010, after several years with the MLBPA. However, he's been under fire since the mishandling of the sexual assault case between the Chicago Blackhawks and Kyle Beach, as many stated that he failed the former player.

Other factors for wanting Fehr replaced include the flat cap and no Olympic participation for the past two Winter Games.

SOURCE: Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff, Sources: Marty Walsh will be installed as next Executive Director of NHL Players' Association.