NHLPA to seek new director amid 'pressure internally' from players and agents
PUBLICATION
O. EngApril 30, 2022 (9:38)
The NHL Players' Association announced recently that current executive director Donald Fehr will be stepping down and that the plan regarding his successor is on the way.
Fehr, 73, has served as the NHLPA's executive director since 2010. He also formerly served as the executive director of the MLB Players' Association from 1983 to 2009. He led the talks through two rounds of Collective Bargaining campaigns in 2013 and 2020.
The NHLPA search committee said this:
"He led the NHLPA through the owners' 2012-13 lockout and negotiated a new CBA that created a defined benefit pension plan which will greatly benefit players for generations to come."
Must read on FlyersInsider
On TSN, insider Pierre LeBrun also noted that there had been some pressure from players, their agents and other executives for him to step down following the Kyle Beach situation back in Chicago.
"They're related timing wise because Don Fehr didn't want to start his succession plan with that report still hanging over him. And there was pressure internally, from players, from agents, from the executive board for Don Fehr to finally come up with that succession plan."
Recognized by the NHLPA's statement, Fehr played an important role in reviving the World Cup of Hockey and led the bargaining agreement that allowed for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs to be played.
With the new World Cup of Hockey approaching and the players still owing money to the owners through the pandemic, the next director will have his or her work cut out for them. Player safety and inclusivity will be major talking points as the league searches to tidy its image.
Latest 10 stories
