While it hasn’t been confirmed just yet, it sounds like the rumors are finally true: former MLB players association head Donald Fehr reportedly accepted the post as the head of the NHLPA. Some might cue “Taps” for the 2012-13 season upon hearing the news.
Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal broke this news.
Former MLBPA Executive Director Don Fehr has agreed to accept the job of NHLPA executive director, according to multiple sources. Attempts to confirm this with Fehr or with the NHLPA were not immediately successful. Sources said other candidates have been informed they are no longer in the running for the top job. The search committee’s decision to recommend Fehr would still have to be confirmed by the entire board of player reps, sources said.
A “unified front” might be a good thing for the wallets of owners or players, but it’s not always the greatest thing for hockey fans. It’s hasty to assume that Fehr will automatically bring about a work stoppage, yet he was in charge of the MLBPA during the strike that briefly endangered baseball’s place in the hearts of many Americans. Considering the fact that the NHL is still recovering from the 2004-05 lockout, this could be quite the harbinger of doom.
Who knows if 2012 will bring about the kind of doom the Mayans predicted, but if Fehr = another lockout, then hockey fans might want to stock up on water and canned food.