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In episode 314 of the Glass and Out Podcast we chat with Hockey Hall of Famer Jayna Hefford, who currently works as the Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations for the PWHL. 

As the person who has largely been the face of the league since it's inception in August of 2023, she has played a key role in the growth of female hockey.

Her unique background prior to becoming a sports executive includes a playing career as a star on Canada’s National Team, playing in five Olympics, capturing four gold medals, and 12 World Championships, where she collected another seven gold medals. 

Throughout her career she has gravitated towards leadership roles and demonstrated a knack for bringing people together to achieve a common goal. Nowhere has that skill-set been more valuable than her time with the PWHL.

Listen as she shares the origins of the PWHL, why female hockey is rooted in passion and why the league's upwards trajectory has created an exciting time for women's sports.

Video Timestamps:

• 0:00 Hockey Ops Role/PWHL success
• 4:05 Decision to expand
• 6:05 Being a decisive leader
• 8:55 Goals after playing career
• 13:05 Experience with CWHL
• 17:10 Surviving with no pay/Paving the way
• 21:15 Origins of the with PWHL
• 29:05 Getting investors to bet on PWHL
• 31:05 First things to get right
• 33:00 Managing pressure as an executive
• 35:35 PWHL Fanbase
• 38:05 Behind the scenes journey
• 40:00 The passion for female hockey
• 42:55 Canada - USA rivalry
• 49:45 PWHL 5 years from now