Reagan Carey will guide the Premier Hockey Federation through an important offseason of expansion and the threat of a second North American pro women's hockey league vying for talent.

As the PHF approaches its seventh season, the former head of USA Hockey's women's programs was named its new commissioner on Tuesday. Tyler Tumminia stepped down as president of the previous National Women's Hockey League in March, after the league rebranded and restructured its ownership structure.

Carey understands the difficulties that women's hockey has faced in gaining traction in North America. Her eight-year stint with USA Hockey came to an end this year.

"So I'm excited to know that there are a lot of things moving around here," she continued, "and a lot of potential to build on the PHF's excellent momentum from last season." "And that's to demonstrate that we're here to achieve something special: to be the best league we can be."

The Board of governors of the league voted to raise each team's compensation maximum from $300,000 to $750,000 as part of a three-year, $25 million cash infusion.

The issue is the PHF's ongoing battle with the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association, which is ramping up talks with NHL teams and corporate sponsors to bring the game back to the NHL.

At the NHL's request, the PWHPA's board of governors opted to end talks after only one meeting two weeks ago.

Carey was diplomatic when it came to the PWHPA, noting that anyone working to enhance the women's game is a "teammate" and that she will have an "open-door policy" when it comes to collaboration.

"Regardless of the organization I serve, I am a firm believer that lighting another candle does not extinguish the flame of the first," Carey said.

"And I believe that is where we are in terms of providing people with options, which is fantastic for everyone." She explained, "It simply improves the sport." "I congratulate everyone who is striving to enhance professional women's ice hockey."At the same time, moving forward, we're not going to get everything right." That is something I will readily admit. But, in my opinion, it's about how we continue to improve and handle those situations, as well as ensuring that players are aware of our capabilities and that we deliver on them."

Carey has worked in sports development for the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL and the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA., performance, and marketing. She returned to her homeland of Maine after leaving USA Hockey, where she worked as a sports and business consultant and served on the Maine Girls & Women in Sports Committee.