New Goldeneyes GM Alison Izzi embracing 'unique opportunity' with PWHL club

Alison Izzi was just a week into her new role as general manager of the Vancouver Goldeneyes when she ticked an important task off her to-do list — sign a generational talent.

Getting a deal done with American defender Caroline "KK" Harvey was a big move, and there are many more moves to be made as Izzi prepares for the Professional Women's Hockey League team's second season.

"We've got obviously training camps to look forward to, and a really exciting home opener against Seattle to prepare for," she said Tuesday. "So, getting the fans and the players and our team and staff ready for a really exciting opening night is definitely top of mind."

Izzi is embracing both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

An attorney from Rhode Island, she started her career in ticketing and events with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and went on to serve as the league's vice-president of hockey operations/governance.

Izzi then moved over to the NHL's legal department where she focused on hockey operations and player safety before getting a call from Jayna Hefford, the PWHL's executive vice-president of hockey operations, about the Goldeneyes' vacant GM job.

"I've been following the PWHL since its first season and have obviously had a lot of experience in hockey on the men's side," Izzi said. "So being able to kind of take that experience and knowledge and bring it into the women's area and contribute to the women's game is really special for me, and a big reason why I wanted to take the role."

One unusual aspect about the role is Izzi will be working alongside her predecessor.

PWHL hires hockey attorney Alison Izzi to be Goldeneyes GM

After crafting the roster for the Goldeneyes' inaugural season, Cara Gardner