Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is leaving the Biden administration to head the NHL players’ union

Washington – Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is leaving the Biden administration to become executive director of the NHL players’ union, the first cabinet secretary to leave the administration since President Biden took office.

The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced Thursday that Walsh had been unanimously appointed as association leader. The Boston native’s departure had been expected for several weeks.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as executive director of the NHLPA,” Walsh said in a statement. “By accepting this offer, I commit myself to doing everything in my power to stand up for the players. My years of experience in the labor movement and in public life have taught me that this job is never about me. It’s about us. It’s about the people we serve.”

Walsh, 55, wrote in a letter to Labor Department staff that he would be leaving his position in mid-March.

“I have told the President how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve,” Walsh said. “As someone who grew up in an active union family and is a union member, it is a privilege to serve as Secretary of Labor and to have this unique opportunity to help workers. But to do so for the most pro-worker, pro-union president and administration in our nation’s history is the greatest honor. I am forever grateful to President Biden, not only for the trust he has placed in me, but for his continued, transformative and historic leadership on behalf of working people everywhere. “

Walsh’s letter also touched on his childhood battle with cancer and his battle with addiction as an adult, saying his “life has been ruled by second chances and our work has given second chances to millions of people across this country who needed them.”

Before joining the Biden administration, Walsh served as mayor of Boston from 2014 to 2021. He also served Massachusetts for 16 years in Congress. He was the designated survivor for this year’s State of the Union Address.

Mr. Biden has yet to circulate a potential replacement for Walsh.