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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NHLPA Walsh quickly figuring out player priorities as he takes the reigns

Newly elected NHLPA Exec Dir Marty Walsh is “still fresh in his new job,” but it “didn’t take long to figure out a couple of priorities” what members of his union want, according to Stephen Whyno of the AP. Walsh knows players “want to get back on the ice for a major international tournament” and that they “do not want to pay any more money into escrow.” With talks ongoing regarding another World Cup of Hockey and a “discussion on significantly raising the salary cap upcoming,” Walsh has a “clear starting point long before collective bargaining talks resume in a couple of years.” Walsh: “What I’d like to do is let’s establish the World Cup hockey back and let’s have a forward-looking schedule to see, so people can be consistent.” Walsh added that he is “spending his first several weeks on the job” meeting with players to gather what else is important to them (AP, 3/30). THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Ryan Kennedy noted it is “clear that Walsh wants to have an open line of communication with the union's membership.” Walsh said that he has “already chatted in person” with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the two “did know each other before” he was on the radar for the PA job. During a press conference Thursday, Walsh joked that “as long as the commissioner agrees with him, they'll get along just fine” (THE HOCKEY NEWS, 3/30).

NOT THE TRADITIONAL MOLD: SPORTSNET.ca’s Luke Fox noted the 55-year-old Walsh is not a "traditional hockey man.” Walsh is a politician who served seven years as the mayor of Boston and the past two years as Labor Secretary in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, but even “more than the political world, though,” Walsh wants you to know he “comes from the labour world.” Walsh does not “make any grand promises or fluff up his answers with lawyer-speak.” He is “polished yet genuine.” Walsh “seems like a straight shooter,” and he is “comfortable in the spotlight” (SPORTSNET.ca, 3/30).

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