NHLPA begins search to replace Fehr

The National Hockey League Players' Association announced Friday night that it has formed a committee to begin a search for a new executive director, replacing Donald Fehr.

NHLPA Executive Board votes in favour of forming Search Committee to begin search for a new Executive Director: https://t.co/6PFWq2Wmw9

The NHLPA says Fehr will continue to lead the union as executive director throughout the search with the search committee submitting a progress report to executive board at the summer meetings in Toronto on July 18 to July 20. 

Fehr joined the NHLPA in 2010 and has been executive director through two rounds of collective bargaining (2013, 2020). 

Seven players have been added to the search committee. They are Ian Cole (Carolina Hurricanes), Justin Faulk (St. Louis Blues), Sam Gagner (Detroit Red Wings), Zach Hyman (Edmonton Oilers), Kyle Okposo (Buffalo Sabres), Nate Schmidt (Winnipeg Jets) and Kevin Shattenkirk (Anaheim Ducks). The NHLPA adds more players may be added up to and during the executive board meetings in July.

“The many players who have played in the NHL over the last eleven years greatly appreciate the significant accomplishments under the leadership of Don Fehr.  Don joined the NHLPA after a long and successful career as Executive Director of the MLBPA and quickly stabilized the union following a very difficult period.  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. Don played an important role in reviving the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. After Covid-19 forced the suspension of the 2019-20 season, Don led the bargaining that resulted in an extension of the CBA in July