Boston Mayor Marty Walsh today announced his decision to leave his post as United States Secretary of Labor in President Joe Biden’s cabinet to become the executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Walsh, who was appointed to the cabinet in January 2021, has been a long-time advocate for the rights of workers and has been vocal in his support of labor unions. In a statement, Walsh said that he felt this was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“I’m honored to have been part of President Biden’s cabinet and I’m proud of the work we’ve done in the past few months to help make the lives of working people better,” Walsh said.

Walsh will be replacing Donald Fehr, who has served as executive director of the NHLPA since 2010. Walsh said that he looks forward to working with the players to ensure that they have a voice in the league and that their rights are respected.

“I’m excited to join the NHLPA and to work with the players to make sure their rights are protected,” Walsh said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and to helping the players achieve their goals.”

The NHLPA, which represents over 700 players in the league, has been a vocal advocate for the rights of hockey players for decades. Walsh’s appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus to the union’s efforts to ensure that players are treated fairly and have a voice in the league.