The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) Executive Board announced today that it has appointed Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Brian Rolston (New Jersey Devils) and Mathieu Schneider (Vancouver Canucks) to constitute a committee tasked with conducting a search for the new NHLPA Executive Director.

This committee will develop appropriate criteria for the candidate search and, after consultation with the members of the Executive Board, initiate the search process to identify potential candidates for the position of NHLPA Executive Director.

Statement from Search Committee Members: “We look forward to beginning the process to select a new Executive Director to lead the NHLPA. We appreciate the significance of the responsibility that the Executive Board has entrusted us with. We are determined to recommend a person as the next NHLPA Executive Director who understands the challenges the union will face; is committed to building the unity that the task requires; understands that the job is to represent all players throughout the membership; and who can secure and maintain the trust and confidence of the entire membership.”

The Executive Board previously voted, without objection, to authorize the Search Committee to work with Donald Fehr, the former Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). Mr. Fehr recently stepped down as MLBPA Executive Director, a position he held since December 1983.

“These players recognize that this is a critical process, the outcome of which will affect all current and future NHLPA members,” said Fehr. “I am confident that they will discharge this responsibility in the thoughtful, careful and deliberate manner that the circumstances require. I very much look forward to working with the members of the committee.”

The Search Committee will begin its work promptly. The committee will not be making further comment on the search at this time.

Source: NHLPA

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