NHLPA to commence search for successor to executive director Donald Fehr

The National Hockey Players' Association will begin the search for a new executive director.

The NHLPA's executive board announced Friday night that it had voted in favour of a search committee to look for a successor to current executive director Donald Fehr, who will continue to lead the NHLPA as the search is conducted.

Fehr has been at the helm of the players' association since December 2010 and saw the union through two rounds of collective bargaining in 2013 and 2020.

"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," a statement from the NHLPA read.

"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 2020 and allowed for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs to be played."

Fehr was criticized for his and the NHLPA's handling of the allegations of sexual assault Kyle Beach levied against Chicago.

A 20-page review from an independent investigation commissioned by the union found no "individual wrongdoing or institutional failures of policy or procedure" by Fehr or others in their handling of Beach's allegations.