Premier Hockey Federation names Reagan Carey, former USA Hockey director of women's ice hockey, as commissioner

Reagan Carey has been named the new commissioner of the Premier Hockey Federation, the professional women's hockey league announced Tuesday.

Carey previously served as USA Hockey's director of women's ice hockey from 2010-18, overseeing the U.S. women's national teams that won Olympic silver in Sochi and gold in PyeongChang. Carey was also general manager of the women's national team.

She becomes the third commissioner in league history, succeeding Tyler Tumminia, who served for two seasons and oversaw the organization's rebranding from the National Women's Hockey League to the PHF.

After stepping down from USA Hockey in 2018, Carey worked as a consultant outside of hockey while volunteering to help the sport at the grassroots level.

«It wasn't something I was pursuing. But when the opportunity came and people shared with me a little bit more about what they were looking to do, I got more involved,» Carey told ESPN on Monday. «I understood what they were looking to do and some of the needs they had. My career experience and my passion for growing the sport align really well with what the Board has already started here.»

A search committee chaired by Tobin Kelly of the PHF Board of Governors interviewed a variety of candidates.

«What stands out about Reagan Carey is not only her incredible depth of experience in the world of women's hockey but the collaborative approach she brings to the position,» Kelly said.

Carey, who officially becomes commissioner on May 10, takes over the PHF during a critical time for the league, which is entering its eighth season.

The PHF's Board of Governors announced a commitment to invest more than $25 million over the next three years. The salary cap for 2022-23 will be a record $750,000 per