By: Associated Press

NHL players ratified a new constitution that significantly alters the way the union is governed, completing a lengthy review process that started with the dispute over the hiring of former executive director Ted Saskin.

The constitution, approved through a secret ballot and announced on Tuesday, eliminates the National Hockey League Players' Association's executive committee, which was comprised of a president and six vice presidents.

In its place, the 30 club-player representatives will serve as equal voting members of an executive board.

The positions of executive director and general counsel, which have traditionally been held by one person, will now be filled by two. Both will serve as nonvoting members of the executive board.

The new governing document comes about a week after the hiring of new executive director Paul Kelly, ending a process of renewal for the union.

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