Marty Walsh reportedly a ‘top candidate’ to lead NHL’s Players Association

Bruins If the NHLPA votes on Walsh’s potential nomination, he’ll need 18 of the board’s 32 votes for approval. Walsh, originally from Dorchester, has plenty of work experience. Susan Walsh/AP

US Secretary of Labor and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is reportedly on the way to becoming the frontrunner to lead the NHL Players’ Association as executive director.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Walsh would be the “best candidate” for the job. The NHLPA board of directors is expected to meet Thursday to continue discussions and possibly vote to nominate Walsh as a director.

If the executive board decides to vote on Walsh’s potential nomination, it will need 18 of the board’s 32 votes for approval. The NHLPA hopes to have a new manager in place by the end of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.

The NHLPA formed a committee to replace executive director Donald Fehr in April. Fehr, who was first appointed to his current post in December 2010, has drawn criticism in recent years.

Whether it’s battles over escrow, competing in the Olympics, or the AP’s handling of Kyle Beach’s sexual assault allegations against then-Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich, several players expressed their disapproval of Fehr’s leadership.

The current ABC between the NHLPA and the NHL will expire after the 2025-26 season.

Walsh, originally from Dorchester, has plenty of work experience. Prior to serving as mayor of Boston, Walsh led the workers’ union Local 223 before leading the Boston Metropolitan District Building Trades Council from 2011 to 2013.

Walsh’s potential nomination as director of the NHLPA would be the second time in recent months that a Massachusetts politician has taken on a leadership role in the sport. In mid-December, former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker was named the next NCAA president.

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