There’s a new sheriff in town for the A.
The American Hockey League has named Hayley Moore as Vice President of Hockey Operations. Moore will oversee the league’s on-ice operations including management of the AHL officiating program and the league’s disciplinary process.
“Hayley has extensive experience at every level of hockey, and will provide outstanding leadership in her role with the American Hockey League,” said AHL President Scott Howson. “On behalf of our Board of Governors, I am pleased and excited to welcome her to the AHL.”
“There’s been great progress for women in sports — from [MLB’s Miami Marlins] hiring a woman as GM for the first time to more opportunities to women in the NHL,” Howson added, as reported by ESPN. “It’s all long overdue. While this is a significant hire, I just wanted to get the right hire, and I’m confident we have that with Hayley. […] What really came through [during the interview process] with Hayley was her passion and love for the sport, as well as her work ethic. I just felt she was the right choice for this right now. I feel so good about this hire.”
Moore is currently president of the NWHL’s Boston Pride, where she manages the club’s hockey and business operations.
“My career has been fueled by a passion for development, so I am thrilled to be joining the American Hockey League, the premier development hockey league in the world,” said Moore. “For this enormous opportunity, I want to thank Scott Howson and the AHL’s Board of Governors, and I look forward to working with everyone in the league. I also want to acknowledge the owners, players and staff of the Boston Pride, and my colleagues at the NWHL. I am immensely proud to have been a part of the league for its first six seasons.”
She was previously the Pride’s General Manager, leading them twice to the Isobel Cup Finals, claiming the championship in 2016. She left the team in 2017, moving to a league role as the NWHL’s Deputy Commissioner and Director of Player Development.
From the National Women’s Hockey League:
Moore played an invaluable role as the league experienced successive seasons of significant growth. She was the league’s liaison to the five teams, overseeing staff appointments, player development, offseason contract signings, and the draft, among many other items. Moore built the NWHL’s relationships with national governing bodies and collegiate hockey programs. She developed youth hockey initiatives and special events like Team NWHL’s two-game exhibition series in 2018 against the U.S. National Team before Team USA won the gold medal at the Olympics.
The abbreviated NWHL season is slated to run from January 23 to February 5, with all game held in Lake Placid, New York. The league’s 2021 season will feature an all-female officiating crew.
Moore will join the AHL after the conclusion of the NWHL season. The timing couldn’t be better, as the AHL is set to get under way on February 5.
The AHL and National Hockey League extended their officiating agreement in 2019, running through the 2022-23 season, which establishes the league as the top development league for prospective NHL officials. In her role, she’s expected to work closely with NHL officiating managers in furthering the development of officials in the league.
