The NHL Players' Association's executive board voted in favor of forming a search committee to seek a successor for executive director Donald Fehr, the organization announced Friday.

Seven players were named to the search committee: Carolina Hurricanes blue-liner Ian Cole, St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, Detroit Red Wings forward Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman, Buffalo Sabres veteran Kyle Okposo, Winnipeg Jets rearguard Nate Schmidt, and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. More members may be added by July.

The executive board, which is made up of a player representative from each of the league's 32 teams, held a conference call on Monday, and voting concluded Friday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Fehr will continue to serve as executive director throughout the search.

"The many players who have played in the NHL over the last 11 years greatly appreciate the significant accomplishments under the leadership of Don Fehr. ... We look forward to continuing to work with Don as we go through the succession process," the search committee wrote in a statement.

Fehr, 73, joined the NHLPA in December 2010 and was executive director through two rounds of collective bargaining (2013 and 2020).

A recent independent review into the NHLPA's response to the alleged sexual assault of former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach found no wrongdoing by Fehr or the organization.

Beach came forward in late 2021 and said he was sexually assaulted by ex-Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He said in October that he was disappointed in Fehr's failure to act.

"I know I reported every single detail to an individual at the NHLPA, who I was put in contact with after. I believe two different people talked to Don Fehr," Beach said. "And for him to turn his back on the players when his one job is to protect the players at all costs, I don't know how that can be your leader."

The review attributed the lack of action from Fehr and the NHLPA to miscommunication between all involved parties. The executive board voted to make the findings of the investigation public.

The search committee will provide a progress report on the pursuit of Fehr's replacement to the executive board in mid-July.

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