Oilers Scout Dani Rylan Kearney Blazing New Trails in Hockey

Player, broadcaster, NWHL founder has been up to every challenge in career

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:00am

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Dani Rylan Kearney, the founder and former commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League, is now a pro scout for the Edmonton Oilers. Kearney's hockey journey has been remarkable, from growing up playing hockey in Tampa, Florida, to founding the first professional women's hockey league in the U.S., to now scouting for an NHL team.

Why it matters

Kearney's story highlights the growing opportunities for women in hockey, both on and off the ice. Her pioneering work with the NWHL paved the way for the current Professional Women's Hockey League, and her role as an Oilers scout represents another milestone for women in the sport.

The details

Kearney, 38, grew up playing hockey in Tampa, where her father worked for the Lightning. She went on to play two seasons at Northeastern University and work as a broadcaster on NHL Network before founding the NWHL in 2015. Kearney served as the league's commissioner for five seasons before joining the Oilers as a pro scout in 2023.

  • Kearney started playing hockey in 1992, the Lightning's inaugural season.
  • She played two seasons at Northeastern University.
  • Kearney founded the NWHL in 2015 and served as commissioner for five seasons.
  • Kearney joined the Edmonton Oilers as a pro scout in October 2023.

The players

Dani Rylan Kearney

A former player, broadcaster, and the founder and former commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League, who is now a pro scout for the Edmonton Oilers.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL team that Kearney grew up around, as her father worked in marketing and advertising for the organization.

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What they’re saying

“Like a lot of players, I graduated from college and realized there wasn't a clear professional path for women who wanted to complete at a high level. So the idea behind the NWHL was to create that opportunity and have the first paying women's league that would be home to the best players in the world to continue playing professionally.”

— Dani Rylan Kearney

“Obviously there were highs and lows, but what I can say is from Day 1, our colleagues, investors, staff and especially the players were relentless and shining a light on the importance of having a women's professional league in North America. I'm proud of what we were able to build together and although I've moved on to the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, I'm obviously so excited to watch the continued emergence of the PWHL and the growth of the women's game in general, most recently highlighted by the Olympic run by the United States and Canada.”

— Dani Rylan Kearney

What’s next

Kearney will continue to scout for the Oilers, contributing her expertise and insight to help the team identify talent that can help them reach their goals.

The takeaway

Dani Rylan Kearney's journey from grassroots hockey player to pioneering league founder to NHL scout is a testament to the growing opportunities for women in the sport. Her story inspires hope and demonstrates that with passion, hard work, and a commitment to the game, women can blaze new trails in hockey.