ERIE — Hockey was Ryan Rebmann’s sport as a player.

Now it’s his sport as a career.

The 2017 Butler graduate and former Golden Tornado hockey player — who also graduated from Mercyhurst University with a degree in finance — was recently hired as a senior accountant for the first-year Professional Women’s Hockey League.

“Hockey is one of the fastest growing girls sports in the country,” Rebmann said. “Being able to have a career in sports and starting out with a first-year pro league is very exciting to me.”

Ryan Rebmann

Now living in Erie but planning to move back to the Pittsburgh area next month, Rebmann works remotely for the PWHL. He handles accounts receivable and billing for the league.

He is one of five accountants working for the league with two more expected to be hired.

“I had been working for Erie Events and saw a notice online that the PWHL was looking for accountants,” Rebmann said. “I applied for it and have been working with the league for a couple of weeks now.”

The PWHL consists of six teams — Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, New York and Minnesota. The league plays a 24-game regular season schedule from January to May. Four teams make the playoffs.

“It’s cool because this is like the NHL’s original six before expansion,” Rebmann said. “I think this league is going to grow, too, and I want to be there to grow right along with it.”

Rebmann will be working daylight hours. Merchandise and sponsorships are among the accounts he’’ll be putting together.

When the season ends, he will “take some time to catch my breath” before beginning to prepare a budget for the 2024-25 season. The WPHL plans to begin its season in November next season.

He is confident the league will take hold and thrive.

The Mark Walter Group — Walter is owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers — owns the PWHL. Retired tennis great Billie Jean King is one of the league’s advisors.

“There are some big people behind this,” Rebmann said.

PWHL games can be viewed free as charge on YouTube.

“I encourage people to check out these games,” Rebmann said. “It is quality hockey. These players are extremely talented.

“I’m working in a professional sports league, a dream come true for me,” Rebmann said. “I hope to be doing this for a long, long time.”