Four BCHL Officials Hired To Work In ECHL

Everyone who knows me knows and understands that any time I can promote officiating for any sport I’ll jump at the chance to help grow the ranks within the officiating circles.

Locally the BCHL have the luxury of having Brad Lazarowich who is the VP of Hockey Operations and is one of the longest-serving officials in NHL history having joined the NHL in 1986 who officiated 1,971 games before retiring in 2016. 

He officiated three Stanley Cup Finals, highlighted by a Game 7 in 2003 between Anaheim and New Jersey. 

He also worked the World Cup of hockey in 1996 and 2004, the 1996 NHL All-Star Game in Boston and he spent 16 years in the NHL Officials Association where he played a key role in collective bargaining, officials’ contracts and the NHL Pension Society.  

BCHL officials Logan Parsons, Eric Scherger and Trevor Thurston have been hired to work full-time in the ECHL for the 2026-27 season and referee Brad Ewing will work part-time in the ECHL, while continuing to work in the BCHL.

Parsons started working in the BCHL in 2021. The 23-year-old from Calgary, Alta. worked the past two league championship series, as well as multiple All-Star and Top Prospects Games. He will work as a linesperson in the ECHL.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity to continue my development and keep working toward the highest level,” said Parsons. “Over the past three seasons, I’ve had the opportunity to work both in the BCHL and American Hockey League (AHL), so being hired full-time in the ECHL gives me the chance to be fully immersed in professional hockey.”

Scherger, the 26-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., started officiating when he was 12 years old and refereed his first year in the BCHL in 2025-26. He played as a goaltender in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) before finishing his playing career with the Cranbrook Bucks during the pandemic shortened 2020-21 season.

“It means a lot to be hired,” said Scherger. “It’s a great league to start my pro career in officiating. I think I can learn a lot by working in the ECHL.”

Thurston has been officiating for over 14 years. The 24-year-old from Delta, B.C. played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League and then played professionally in the ECHL until the 2024-25 season.

“It’s definitely a bit of a full-circle moment for me, going from playing the game to now getting the opportunity to officiate at that level,” said Thurston. “I’m really excited about it and feel like it’s a big step for me and my career.”

Ewing, from Langley, B.C., has spent the past three years working in the BCHL and has been officiating for 15 years total. The 27-year-old worked the Rogers BCHL Cup Finals the past three seasons, the first two as a linesperson and most recently as a referee.

“I’ve been working towards skating pro hockey since I started officiating, so it’s pretty special to see all of that work pay off,” said Ewing. “I’m really proud of the opportunity and look forward to learning from new people and making that jump to pro as a referee.”

In just the past two years, 14 BCHL officials have been hired to work professionally, including one NHL hiring, multiple in the AHL and several others in the ECHL and PWHL. In addition, the league saw a record 14 officials invited to the NHL Officiating Combine last month.

“The BCHL is extremely proud to see Brad, Logan, Eric and Trevor move on to the next stage of their officiating careers,” said Brad Lazarowich, BCHL Vice President of Hockey Operations and head of the officiating department. “They have all proven themselves as highly capable officials and should excel at the next level.”

“We are also very proud of the strides that our officiating department has made in just a few short years and are pleased to see our officials consistently being hired to work professional hockey year in and year out.”

“I have been fortunate to have Brad [Lazarowich]’s support and guidance as I have progressed through the BCHL,” said Parsons. “He has always challenged me to be at my best in every game and to keep improving with every opportunity. Working in this league gave me the opportunity to officiate on a consistent basis, in a variety of situations, and continue to develop my craft.”

“Working in the BCHL has helped out my career tremendously,” added Scherger. “Before then, I felt like my career was at a standstill, but Brad reached out to me and must have seen some potential and now a year later, I am being hired to work full time in the ECHL. With Brad’s connections and his years of experience, I don’t think I get to where I am without him. He’s willing to help out anyone who shows an interest and I can’t thank him enough.”

“Working in the BCHL was a really good step for me,” said Thurston. “It gave me a better idea of what it’s like working within a league and helped me continue to get better as an official. Brad has been a huge mentor for me throughout my career. He’s given me a lot of advice and has always been willing to help me out and teach me different things.”

“Working with Brad [Lazarowich] has honestly been a turning point in my career,” said Ewing. “He’s opened so many doors for me and given me so many opportunities. He’s someone I really look up to, trust and genuinely care about. I’m extremely grateful for everything he’s done for me.”