During the calendar year of 2017, key steps forward have been made in order to shape the exciting future of the NWHL. Starting with Connecticut Whale blueliner Anya Battaglino ascending to the position of director for the NWHLPA, she is joined by another enthusiastic leader and strong woman, ready to support the cause of bringing the budding league to greater heights.
Taking on the role of Deputy Commissioner in the third NWHL season, Hayley Moore is not just the embodiment of professionalism. Dedicated, empathic and ardent, an artifact of her early legacy in the league is exemplified by the fact that she was part of the inaugural Isobel Cup championship team.
Running parallel to such success is the fact that Moore is part of a significant movement in the game; one that has seen women climb into bigger leadership roles, helping to positively shape the game’s direction and destiny. From coaching and administration, to management and marketing roles, the imprint of women, such as Moore, in today’s game truly heralds a golden age.
“It is a huge honor to step into a bigger role with the NWHL, and to help push forward the movement of women’s hockey. However, the greater significance of the existence of this type of role for a female in women’s hockey is exceptionally powerful.
Not only have more doors opened for women to continue playing hockey after college, but the emergence of the NWHL continues to create higher lever job opportunities in women’s hockey. I am so grateful for that opportunity, and to be able to grow in my career within my passion.”
Moore’s amazing body of work in New England represents a myriad of accomplishments. Beginning as a player at Brown University, competing under the tutelage of legendary head coach Digit Murphy, she was part of a proud tradition of elite Ivy League hockey, helping to expand its legacy.
Upon graduation, Moore would remain closely tied to the game, having served on the coaching staff at Harvard and taking to the ice as a charter member of the Boston Blades. Coincidentally, Murphy would coach the Blades to a Clarkson Cup title in 2013, becoming the first American-born female coach to achieve the honor.
Technically, Moore is also a charter member of the Pride. With several members of the roster unavailable due to commitment with the US national team, she donned the Pride jersey for a handful of games in December 2015, the frozen surface rekindling her competitive grace, providing an inspiring on-ice magic, while serving as a vessel to enhance her enthusiasm for the game.
Approaching the possibilities in the season to unfold with tremendous enthusiasm, Moore is eager to help make a greater contribution to the league’s growth. Perhaps more importantly, her willingness to bring about an open dialogue and welcome an exchange of ideas in order to make the league, and the game as a whole, more sustainable truly reflect an astute approach.
“The opportunities in this role are endless – there will always be more we can do to promote, grow, and evolve the women’s game and its players. My goal is to increase communication and awareness for our players, governing bodies, NCAA, CIS, youth programs, etc. The more we can all communicate and work positively and constructively, the better position our sport will be in in the future.
Our game is growing exponentially. As we head into season three of the NWHL, and an Olympic year, there will be consistent momentum and excitement that we look forward to.
Of course, with that, and in any new role, there are challenges. With every challenge, I see opportunity to grow and learn, and ultimately find the positive that will propel our league to new heights.”
During her time as General Manager of the Pride, the greatest example of her ability to approach a challenge and transform it into an opportunity was best exemplified by her empathic concern towards Denna Laing. With the Pride participating in the first-ever outdoor professional game in women’s hockey history, Laing experienced a career-ending injury that tugged at the heartstrings of the hockey community.
Moore helped to set the compassionate tone by ensuring that Laing remained part of the team’s roster, restoring her spirits while demonstrating strong leadership traits. Fostering a sense of friendship and belonging, it was part of a larger effort that saw the entire organization attempt to provide Laing with a gracious comfort, reflecting the collective heart of gold of the team. Visiting Laing in hospital to present her with Isobel Cup was not only the most heartwarming moment of the inaugural NWHL season, it demonstrated Moore’s dedication to making sure that anyone in the Pride family was truly in good hands.
Although the cherished visit was the denouement to such an inspiring season, it was also part of many lasting legacies that defined Moore’s remarkable sojourn with the Pride. Serving in the capacity of General Manager for their first two seasons, she transformed the club into the class of the NWHL.
Finishing with the best regular season record and advancing to the Isobel Cup finals, both twice (amassing 30 regular season wins in two seasons), it only served to augment her status as one of the shining stars in women’s hockey. Admirably, Moore also balanced her responsibilities with the Pride by taking on the role of director for the East Coast Wizards, while she spent May 2017 working as a Skills Coach with USA Hockey’s National Development Camps.
Establishing a solid foundation for the franchise, Moore not only praises the efforts of the world-class athletes, and world-class people that made up the culture of the Pride, it demonstrates how every person involved brought with it a sense of stability for the organization’s structure. It was the kind of dignity and respect that made the Pride a quaint local institution.
“There is so much I am proud of in my two years as GM of the Pride. Winning the first ever Isobel Cup was an amazing experience I will never forget. However, what I am most proud of during my time as GM is not a singular achievement, but the long-term relationships I have built with our players, staff, and fans.
I am proud to have invested myself in these people, because they are all truly amazing. Each has taken a unique path and made sacrifices that provide differing perspectives to our league. They are passionate and hard-working, and they all deserve the best in what our future holds.”
With the NWHL enjoying a landmark streaming deal with Twitter, the innovation of neutral site games that is destined to expand its fan base, everything is funneled towards success. Complemented by the fact that the happening of an Olympic year shall provide providing an opportunity for many new faces to shine, cultivating an assortment of new stars, there is a sense that the third season shall fulfill many deeply held aspirations.
The potential to elevate the game’s importance is one that shall certainly hold Moore’s focus in the season to come. With the happenings of last season now part of the past, the objective is on the league restoring itself, adapting to an environment of encouragement whereby the hope is to create a rich athletic milieu.
As the glue that held the Pride together, Moore’s impact extended far beyond the ice. With a combination of empathy, motivation, graciousness and vigor, once within her orbit, there is no question that people are drawn to her kind yet animated personality. The NWHL’s front office definitely has a gem in Moore and her appointment as deputy commissioner may certainly represent an essential turning point.
“I am really looking forward to working with all four teams next season – to get to know more NWHL players and fans. I am excited to learn more about each market, and be able to broaden my views and experiences in the NWHL”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
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