our fourth consecutive gold medal. That one was really about how it happened in the game, being down two goals with less than five minutes to go in a gold medal game. What it felt like to be a part of a team like that, that could crawl out of that hole and get back in the game and then finish it in overtime. That was the first time an Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey was awarded in overtime. So, lots of special moments and emotions went along with that one, and it also happened to be the last time I wore the jersey with the national team making it extra special for me. Spotlight on Business: Once you retired what made you want to move from the ice to the front office? Jayna Hefford: It all comes back to my passion for the game, and how much I love just being a part of it. Before I officially retired, I spent some time coaching with my good friend and teammate, Vicki Sunohara at the University of Toronto. But I always felt like coaching wasn’t the long-term plan for me. I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game somehow. I didn’t know what that would look like, because there weren’t a lot of opportunities at that point to be involved in the women’s game. In 2018 I had the opportunity to be the interim commissioner of the CWHL in its final season. It was challenging and inspiring all at the same time, because we knew what we had to do to get it right. [There was] lots of optimism for what was
going to come out of that, as difficult as that time was. But that’s when I learned that I enjoyed the business side and the challenges that went along with growing the women’s game, by still having that player mindset. Spotlight on Business: In May of 2019, the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) a non-profit organization that advocates for greater professionalism in women’s ice hockey was founded, helping to lead the formation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in 2024. How has this league transformed women’s hockey? Can you tell us a little about your role as Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations? Jayna Hefford: Basically, everything that touches hockey is something that myself and my team are part of. So, it started with hiring general managers in all of our markets, and then the coaches and other staff. We do everything for officiating, player safety rules, anything on ice. We work with the union and the players’ concerns, working collaboratively with them. So, there’s a huge breadth of work that we do. Basically, anything that touches hockey comes to our group. I have a fantastic team of people I work with who all love what we’re doing. They are passionate about the game and understand our work is meaningful and is helping to shape and
“The level of competition is as high as we’ve ever seen.”
SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 24 ISSUE 3 19
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