Kelly out after short reign as NHLPA head

Courtesy of the Sports Network

The NHL Players' Association voted to dismiss executive director Paul Kelly on Monday less than two years after he was hired for the job.

The NHLPA executive board, comprised of 30 representatives from each of the league's teams, announced the move at their annual meetings in Chicago and released a statement.

"Following the Executive Board's review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director. We appreciate Mr. Kelly's service to our Association."

Kelly was named the fourth executive director in NHLPA history in October of 2007. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.

The former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts was involved in the investigation of former NHLPA leader Alan Eagleson and was chosen to replace Ted Saskin, who was fired amid allegations he ordered the spying of NHLPA player e-mail related to his initial hiring.

At the time, it was felt that Saskin's actions might have given away an alliance between he and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, particularly during negotiations to bring an end to the stalemate which wound up cancelling the 2004-05 season.

Kelly was brought on board under the guise of propriety and professing more solidarity with the players, but, according to reports out of Canada, Kelly's ouster may have come as a result of his perceived closeness with Bettman relative to the union which he represented.