SPHL names Gavin Morgan Vice President of Hockey Operations and Business Development

SPHL names Gavin Morgan Vice President of Hockey Operations and Business Development

HUNTERSVILLE, NC (October 1, 2026) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced today that Gavin Morgan has been named vice president of hockey operations and business development. Morgan brings extensive experience in professional hockey, collegiate athletics, hockey administration, business operations, and corporate development. In his new role, he will work closely with Commissioner Doug Price, SPHL member clubs, officials, players, and league partners to strengthen the league’s hockey operations while helping identify new opportunities for business and revenue growth. “Gavin brings a unique combination of hockey knowledge, leadership experience, and business expertise to the SPHL,” Price said. “He understands the game from multiple perspectives and has spent his career building relationships, developing people, and managing complex organizations. We’re excited about what he will bring to the league and our member clubs.” Morgan’s hockey career has included experience as a professional player, coach, administrator, and player representative. During his playing career, he competed professionally in the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, ECHL, and Europe, including time with the Dallas Stars. Following his playing career, Morgan spent a decade with the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s NCAA Division I hockey program, serving in coaching, financial, and hockey operations roles. His responsibilities included recruiting, NCAA compliance, team operations, budgeting, fundraising, sponsorships, contracts, and vendor relationships. Morgan also served for 10 years on the Professional Hockey Players’ Association Executive Board, representing players on issues involving league governance and labor relations and participating in negotiations involving professional hockey collective bargaining agreements. Throughout his hockey career, he has worked with rules committees, league and conference officials, and hockey leadership on matters involving rule interpretation, supplemental discipline, player safety, officiating, and the review of on-ice incidents. His experience also extends beyond the rink, where Morgan has held roles involving financial planning, budgeting, organizational strategy, workforce planning, sponsorship development, and business operations. “I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the SPHL,” Morgan said. “Hockey has been a major part of my life, and this position gives me an opportunity to bring together my experiences in the game and in business. I’m looking forward to working with Doug, our teams, officials, players, and partners to continue strengthening the league and finding new opportunities for growth.” As vice president of hockey operations and business development, Morgan will help oversee league hockey operations, competitive standards, officiating coordination, rules and discipline, and player eligibility. He will also lead efforts to develop league-wide sponsorships and strategic partnerships, create new commercial opportunities, and support league expansion, special projects, and long-term strategic initiatives. Morgan holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Denver. He is married to Chrystal Morgan, and they have three children: Ashley, Tanner, and Brooklynn. About the SPHL Now entering its 23rd season, the SPHL comprises 13 member clubs throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States. Headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, the league is dedicated to delivering high-quality, family-oriented entertainment through a sustainable model tailored to small and mid-sized markets. The SPHL also serves as a key development platform for players, coaches, and officials pursuing advancement in professional hockey.