Officiating – A Rewarding Career

With the hockey season around the corner teams have their sights set on either recent signings or filling specific vacancies they  still have open.

While many think that this is an easy process, the concern for teams is that they still have players at various camps all looking to take the next step in their career which they have worked extremely hard at.

It’s not just the next step for the player that is a concern for the player but also the parent given that there are so many choices that come into play.

If you live in BC players have to make a choice of playing in the sanctioned PJHL or their rival outlaw league as it is  currently relocated by Hockey Canada after the league pulled out of hockey Canada.

In conversation with some two things came into play with the first being does the BCHL become non-sanctioned and second how will this affect the league attracting players both of which were obviously discussed at length.

The other concern that was obviously discussed was the issue regarding officials who were either working the league or how would they fill the void left if they had a mass exodus?

I for one know that there were several officials who not only questioned the move but also their future in the officiating world.

Given the way officiating continues to change the other issue officials face is the NHL combine which invites retired players to “try their hand” at officiating which has its pros and cons depending on who you ask?

There is no question that they know how to play but entering the officiating world offers a new outlook on the game and then there is the abuse officials face in their career and this isn’t just for new and young officials but all officials.

Regardless of sanctioned or non-sanctioned leagues officials still have the luxury to officiate training camps and scrimmages during the summer months which for some is their part-time job.

As of press time we are hearing that the IIHF has recently certified  47 Canadian officials (24 Ref’s and 23 Linesman) who are set to officiate International hockey.

Taking the next chapter in their officiating career and advancing to the IIHF’s Road to Milano program, following the competition for an assignment to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. are included referees Jenn Berezowski, Michael Campbell, Brandy Dewar, Mike Langin, Élizabeth Mantha, Amy Martin, Michelle McKenna and Shauna Neary, as well as linespersons Jessica Chartrand, Alexandra Clarke, Laura Gutauskas, Justine Todd, Tarrington Wyonzek and Erin Zach.

Adding to this list are eight who are looking to make their international debuts this season are:referees Danny Emerson, Adam Forbes, Audrey-Anne Girard and Ty Skene, and linespersons Pierre-Olivier Couture, Nathan Howes, Amy Laroche and Brennan Walker.

Leaving this illustrious list of officials are Brayden Arcand (Hockey Alberta), Chad Huseby (Hockey Alberta), Danika Kroeker (BC Hockey) and Brett Mackey (BC Hockey)..

Regardless of where your career takes you don’t get discouraged by some who bring more negativity to officiating rather than supporting today’s officials.

WITHOUT OFFICIALS – THERE’S NO GAME!!!!!

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