FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2026
CSSHL adds three key positions to the Hockey Operations Department
Following the appointment of Mel Davidson as the CSSHL’s first commissioner in May, the league is continuing to build on a period of significant growth and leadership development with the addition of three key positions within its Hockey Operations department. The appointments of Lisa Haley, Curtis Nichols, and Kara Spady mark an important investment in the CSSHL’s ability to support its expanding national membership, strengthen league operations, and advance key priorities in women’s hockey development, player safety, and program support.
“The additions of Lisa Haley, Curtis Nichols and Kara Spady reflect the CSSHL’s continued commitment to strengthening the support we provide to our member programs, athletes, coaches, officials and partners across the league,” said Luke Pierce, Chief Operating Officer of the CSSHL. “Each brings significant and diverse experience, leadership and perspective that will help us continue to build a safe, competitive and development-focused environment for student-athletes while supporting the ongoing growth of the league.”
Lisa Haley, Women’s Hockey Performance & Strategic Growth will lead and support various aspects of the women’s game to help drive the long-term growth and sustainability of women’s hockey in the CSSHL. Haley brings extensive experience at the highest levels of women’s hockey and is currently Head Coach at Toronto Metropolitan University. She was an Assistant Coach with Canada’s Olympic Women’s Hockey Team that won Gold at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and previously served as Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations with the former Premier Hockey Federation. Lisa also represents the OUA on the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Sport Technical Sub-Committee. Her experience will be particularly valuable as the CSSHL continues to invest in the growth and development of Women’s Hockey in Canada.
Curtis Nichols, Player Safety & Officiating Relations will serve as the primary liaison between the CSSHL, Hockey Canada Members, officiating leadership, member programs, and internal stakeholders to promote a safe, fair, and consistent competitive environment. Nichols will oversee supplemental discipline matters, develop formal review and appeals processes, support governance initiatives, and establish a foundation for the future Department of Discipline & Officiating. Curtis brings considerable experience in officiating, discipline, and hockey operations. He has previously served as Vice President of Officiating with the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Nichols has also worked as a WHL Video Goal Judge and has officiated at the WHL level. His experience will provide additional expertise and consistency around discipline and officiating matters across the CSSHL.
Kara Spady, Western Operations Lead will serve as a primary point of contact for the western member programs, team staff, assignors, and Hockey Canada Members. In this role, Spady will oversee schedule development, assists with discipline matters, maintains league data and operational systems, and supports the successful delivery of regular season, showcase, and playoff competitions. Kara brings a well-rounded background in hockey, sport, communications, and event operations. She has served as part of Team Alberta Mission Staff at the 2025 Canada Summer Games and will return as Mission Staff for the 2027 Canada Winter Games. Spady previously served as Manager of Marketing & Communications with Hockey Alberta and gained experience with Calgary Wild FC of the Northern Super League, as well as national and international events with Hockey Canada. She also brings game-day operations experience from her time with Olds College Athletics and will continue to elevate the overall standard of league operations.
For further information:
Sara Caissie CSSHL
Brand Marketing & Customer Communications
s.caissie@csshl.ca
About the CSSHL The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) was established in 2009 and has grown to feature 38 accredited schools and 133 teams from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island and the states of Idaho and Washington. The league was designed specifically for elite-level student-athletes, giving them the opportunity to focus on their education while increasing their skills on and off the ice and providing them with a high level of competition and exposure. Currently, the CSSHL includes eight different divisions at the U15, U17, U18 Men’s and U18 Women’s level.
