Minnesota's professional women's hockey team is set to welcome the Premier Hockey Federation Commissioner to their home ice on Sunday.
Reagan Carey, who's served as commissioner of the women's professional ice hockey league since last April, will attend the Minnesota Whitecaps home game against the Buffalo Beauts in Richfield.
"I'm really excited to be there," Carey told WCCO Radio on Friday. "Obviously hockey is a very big part of what I do and I've spent a lot of time in Minnesota. I haven't had as much opportunity get back there this season so I'm excited to see Richfield and see all the great work that the Whitecaps have been doing."
Carey's visit comes at a time when the Whitecaps sit third in the regular season standings behind both Boston and Toronto.
"Every market has their special and unique qualities, certainly Minnesota is such a strong hockey market and they have such a knowledgeable fanbase," Carey said. "That's always a lot of fun to have conversations everybody that's coming out and supporting the Whitecaps."
Carey came to the Premier Hockey Federation Commissioner, formerly the National Women's Hockey League, with over 20 years of leadership in the sports industry.
She previously served as USA Hockey’s Director of Women’s Ice Hockey and General Manager of the U.S. National Women’s Team, highlighted by a gold medal victory at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
"This is just another opportunity to give back to the game that I got so much from. Being able to be part of the professional side of it with the NHL and our Olympic and National teams, this is just a new horizon for our sport. To be able to lead that charge is a real privilege and honor."
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A major goal for the Premier Hockey Federation is growing the game for the next generation. Friday marked the anniversary of the 1998 Winter Olympics where the United States women beat Canada 3-1 to capture the gold medal.
"At that time there were only about 14 division one programs and now you have close to over 40," Carey said. "You just watch the youth and girls hockey grow along with the professional game. That wasn't all that long ago, so I think we're in good shape and have a great foundation."
The Minnesota Whitecaps host the Buffalo Beauts on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday's game gets underway at 6 p.m. and Sunday's faceoff is schedule for noon inside the Richfield Ice Arena.