PHF commissioner Carey hopes to work with PWHPA for 'greater good' of women's hockey

As women's hockey settles back into a normal schedule, its two biggest factions remain separate.

The Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association, a union made up of most North American national-team players, played its first showcase of the year last month. It returns Friday for a series of six games through the weekend in Truro, N.S., with live coverage available across CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.

Meanwhile, the Premier Hockey Federation, a professional league featuring seven teams (including one each in Montreal and Toronto), begins its season on Saturday.

PHF commissioner Reagan Carey, the architect of U.S. senior women's teams from 2010 through 2018, told CBC Sports she hopes the two sides can establish a friendly rivalry along the lines of Canada-U.S. in international play.

"I think it's the right thing to do as leaders to find ways to grow the game, not just for our personal missions with our different objectives, jobs and responsibilities, but for the greater good," Carey said.

WATCH | Carey on her vision for the PHF:

Carey, 44, succeeded Tyler Tumminia as commissioner in April. She said her first communication was with the PHF's players, followed by the league's staff and the sport's alumni.

Her next conversation was with the PWHPA, which is headed by Canada's Jayna Hefford, "just to continue to demonstrate my interest and our league's interest in being good teammates and communicating wherever we can to collaborate to grow the game."

Carey, an Atlanta native, said she has been "consistent in that outreach" ever since.

"I think we might be a little bit more eager to engage, but I can't speak for them," she said. "I know they're working on a lot of things and they have a lot of focus on the objectives that they envision. So it might not be as much of a priority for them at the moment, but I have had consistent conversations and will continue that. That's my commitment for the game."

Hefford affirmed the launch of a truly professional league for the best women players in the world remains a long-term goal for the PWHPA.

"Our athletes have been united in advocating for a top tier, professional league that matches the skill of our players and the excitement that currently exists for our PWHPA members," Hefford told CBC Sports.

"We're continuing to do the work to lay the foundation for a sustainable future for the women's game. It takes time to do it right, but we're making great progress and excited for what's to come."

Following a 14-month stretch that featured two world championships and the Beijing Olympics, the focus in women's hockey is now shifting back on efforts to create a professional league featuring the world's top players.