The National Hockey League Players’ Association has named Ron Hainsey to the role of assistant executive director.
Previously working for the NHLPA as the assistant to the executive director for special projects and development initiatives, Hainsey's promotion was announced Friday.
Hainsey, 42, is a former National Hockey League defenceman who played 1,132 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. He won the Stanley Cup in 2017 with the Penguins.
During his time in the league, Hainsey served as an NHLPA player representative for five seasons and was a long-time member of the association's competition committee. He was a part of the NHLPA's negotiating committee during the 2012-13 lockout as well as the negotiations that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the resumption of the 2019-20 season and the 2020 CBA extension agreement.
Playing for the Senators at the time, Hainsey retired after the 2019-20 season.
“Ron has a deep knowledge of the game as a long-time player, an NHLPA member who was actively involved in collective bargaining throughout his career, and most recently as an NHLPA staff member. I look forward to working closely with Ron to further strengthen the NHLPA and better serve the members,” said Marty Walsh, the NHLPA's new executive director, in a media release.
“Ron has been an instrumental part of the NHLPA going back to his time as a player,” added Kyle Okposo, current NHLPA member and captain of the Buffalo Sabres, in the same release. “Ron is thoughtful, direct and thorough, and has earned the respect of people across the hockey industry.”
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