Healy was co-chairman and interim executive director with the NHL Alumni. He also served as director of player affairs for the National Hockey League Players' Association and was a non-voting member of the League's competition committee.

Healy played 15 NHL seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs before retiring in 2001. He helped the Islanders upset the two-time defending Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993. One year later, Healy helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940.

"We congratulate the NHL Alumni Association on its choice to have Glenn Healy lead the organization into the future," the NHL said. "Glenn is bright, loves the game and is passionate about the Players who played in our League. We certainly look forward to working with him and partnering in support of initiatives that will benefit former players."

After retiring from as a player, Healy has served as a color commentator and analyst for CBC, TSN and Sportsnet.

"The one thing that every NHL player has in common is that one day we will be part of the Alumni, which is very special, but we need a hard-working leader that will run the NHL Alumni the same way he approached the game: hard working, intense and unselfish," said Wayne Gretzky, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and partner and vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group. "I believe Glenn Healy is the right guy to lead us into the future, that will work hard with the Alumni Players, the National Hockey League Players' Association and the National Hockey League."