Men's Ice Hockey | 6/25/2026 10:00:00 AM

The United States Hockey League (USHL) has announced that Lloyd Ney, Owner and Managing Partner of the Sioux City Musketeers, has been selected as the recipient of the Gasparini Award, recognizing his outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and lasting contributions to the league’s growth and governance.

Named after former USHL Commissioner Gino Gasparini, the award recognizes those who have played a key role in the League’s growth and success.

Ney serves in a wide range of critical leadership roles across the USHL, including Treasurer of the League and Chair of the Budget Committee. In these capacities, he has provided steady financial oversight and helped guide responsible investment strategies that support the league’s long-term stability and continued expansion.

In addition to his financial leadership, Ney is a member of both the Executive Committee and the Schedule Committee, where he has played an integral role in shaping league-wide decision-making and operational planning. He also chairs the Expansion Committee, helping lead one of the most significant periods of growth in USHL history, including key initiatives tied to the League’s West Coast expansion.

Ney was a leading voice in developing the APEX Committee, a group dedicated to evaluating league strengths and opportunities and enhancing the player experience through forward-thinking adjustments to NCAA eligibility pathways. Through his work with the APEX Committee, Ney helped develop the Standard Player Development Agreement (SPDA), further strengthening the league’s structure and competitive environment.

“Lloyd has played a critical role in navigating changes to the junior hockey landscape while maintaining the League’s position as the top development league in the world,” said Glenn Hefferan, USHL President and Commissioner. “His leadership in expansion, budgeting, scheduling, and brand strategy has enabled the League to build upon its foundation and ensure it is positioned for future success. We are extremely grateful for Lloyd’s years of service to the League, and we are excited to put his name alongside many great stewards of the USHL.”

His counsel has extended into innovation and modernization efforts, including supporting the USHL’s transition from manual schedule creation to an AI-powered scheduling model built in partnership with Johns Hopkins University.

Beyond governance and innovation, Ney has been a driving force behind broader league advancement initiatives, including the standardization of the Tier-I player experience and the development of the Declaration of Excellence in collaboration with USA Hockey and the NHL.

Lloyd’s contributions reflect a rare combination of financial stewardship, strategic leadership, and forward-looking innovation. His work has helped position the USHL for sustained growth while enhancing the experience for players, member clubs, and stakeholders across the hockey landscape.

The Gasparini Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to advancing the mission of the United States Hockey League. Ney’s impact across multiple areas of league governance and innovation makes him a deserving recipient of this honor.

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and nine of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).