CALGARY — Sport executives Natasha Johnston and Marin Hickox have joined Hockey Canada to lead initiatives in safe sport and women and girls hockey.

Johnston was named Hockey Canada's director of sport safety on Wednesday. The organization said in a release that she will oversee its safe sport portfolio, which includes developing solutions to address player safety and maltreatment.

Johnston will also work with Hockey Canada’s 13 member organizations to promote inclusion.

Hickox will lead the recruitment and retention efforts for women’s and girls’ hockey programs across Canada, and work to increase the number of women in leadership, coaching and officiating.

Johnston most recently served as the executive director of Ringette Canada. She previously held roles with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and Football Canada.

Hickox is a former Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and NHL marketing executive, and was a member of the women’s hockey task force for the inaugural Elite Women’s 3-on-3 game as part of NHL's all-star weekend.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2022.