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Once Ali Beres sets her sights on a goal, she will most likely accomplish it.
Switching from ringette to hockey to transitioning to officiating after her U SPORTS hockey career and embracing other athletic pursuits, Beres’ determination keeps her chasing new goals.
“I’m lucky to have athletics be a huge part of my life growing up,” says the 27-year-old. “I feel very fortunate to be involved in sports and at the level that I am with the opportunities I’ve had.”
Growing up in Lions Bay, B.C., about 30 minutes from Vancouver, Beres and her sister Maegan played ringette as there were no girls’ hockey programs. When she was 13 years old, she switched to hockey, intending to play at the university level.
Transitioning from ringette to hockey required Beres to learn new skills, including stickhandling and shooting the puck.
“When I switched from playing ringette to hockey, there was a skill and knowledge gap,” she says.
A coach told her that she was behind her peers at that age and probably shouldn’t bother, but her drive led her to participate in skill development camps and shooting 200 pucks in the family garage so she would be able to play.
“I remember that conversation with this coach when I was 14 years old. That moment shaped me and who I am today,” says Beres. “It taught me that if you want something badly and you put in the effort and hard work and you have the determination, you can still achieve your goals. Most importantly, to never give up on something you love.”
That love and passion led her on a successful hockey path, including playing for B.C. at the 2013 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and varsity hockey at Western University in London, Ontario, where she won a U SPORTS national title in 2015, a silver medal at nationals and two Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships.
As Beres finished her university career, she thought about what would come next. She knew she wanted to stay involved in the game and leaned on an aspect of the game she used to participate in – officiating.
“I wasn’t ready to just hang up the skates and call it quits after my U SPORTS career. The rink has been a part of my life since I was three,” she says. “As soon as the final game ended, it was so emotional. I knew after that I was going to have to get a job and that I wasn’t going to be playing anymore. I remembered that I loved officiating growing up.”
Beres decided she wanted to put on a new jersey, play on a new team and see where officiating could take her. After graduating, she got re-certified in Ontario.
“I just kept skating lots of games with so many different people and games as possible and learn as much as I could,” she says. “I saw so many people ahead of me in the program and saw all their accomplishments and telling my mentors that those are the assignments that I’d love to take on.”
Since transitioning to officiating, Beres has had the opportunity to participate in the Hockey Canada Officials Program of Excellence (OPOE), which is a performance pathway for officials to reach their high-level goals.
Since then, she has been a linesperson at some significant events, including the 2014 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Division 1B) and the Professional Women’s Hockey League Battle on Bay Street game between Toronto and Montreal earlier this year.
“I’m grateful to have had so many opportunities through officiating,” says Beres. “What I love about officiating is that you’re still part of the game. It’s intense … there’s pressure on your shoulders and you’re still competing as an athlete. It is our job to make sure the game is played fair and safe.”
Beres wouldn’t be able to balance life as a solution engineer with a procurement company, officiating and competing in triathlons without the support system of her family, particularly Maegan.
“We are best friends and we’ve always been competitive,” she said. “We’ve always tried to push each other. Our parents instilled solid values in us. While we were competitive, we also supported each other, and knowing that each other’s successes doesn’t mean the other isn’t successful.”
Like Ali, Maegan had hockey aspirations that she was determined to achieve. She played NCAA hockey for Boston College and with the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation, and won a silver medal with Canada at the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
“We’ve always been super close, and she turned into such a big role model for me and being the younger sister, you kind of idolize your big sister,” says Maegan. “When I had a lot of success in my hockey career, she was one of the closest people to me and I always leaned on her for advice and support.”
Being athletically fit is important to stay at high-level hockey pace, but it also helps Ali stay mentally fresh and healthy and able to balance her professional career as well. Outside of officiating, Ali competes in triathlons, a sport she quickly fell in love with.
“The players are giving 100 per cent, so we need to be able to match that and give it our all too. I was a little bored of the gym, so I wanted to push my athletic comfort zone, so I signed up for an Ironman 70.3 (also known as a half-Ironman) and I got really addicted,” Ali says.
As Ali continues to set goals for herself – including officiating at the Olympics, her sister knows her drive is what will get her there.
“Once she has a glimpse of that goal, I just know she will do everything in her power to get there and accomplish it,” says Maegan. “I am very proud of her and what she’s accomplished and seeing her transition from her playing career in hockey into officiating. I’m excited to see where this journey takes her.”
Jenn Berezowski always wanted the opportunity to officiate at a top-level IIHF tournament.
There was just one small dilemma. Berezowski had recently given birth to her second daughter, Hannah.
“When I got the phone call in October 2022 to do the U18 Women’s Worlds in January, I was about a month postpartum with my second daughter,” Berezowski recalls. “It was going to be tight with the timing, but I couldn’t say no.”
So, a month after Hannah was born, Berezowski resumed officiating games.
“I was back on the ice again and with my daughter attached to my hip,” she says.
When it came time to leave for Sweden, Berezowski, along with her mother
and baby Hannah, made the trip from their home in Trenton, Ont., across the
Atlantic. Meanwhile, her husband and their eldest daughter, three-year-old
Scarlett, remained at home and watched as Berezowski refereed three games,
including the gold medal game that saw Canada beat Sweden 10-0 to defend
its world title.
Whether it was at home or on the road, Berezowski credits friends, family and colleagues for supporting her and Hannah.
“Everyone has taken turns coming to the arena with me so that I can be away from home and continue to ref but also have her with me there so I can feed her and keep her healthy,” Berezowski says. “My colleagues have been extremely supportive, no one has blinked an eye about me feeding my baby in between periods or having a babysitter hanging around. In doing that, they are helping normalize this path locally, nationally and internationally.”
Since the U18 worlds in Sweden, Berezowski has returned to officiating various leagues across Ontario with her daughter by her side. This week, she is part of the crew working the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship in Montreal.
With the added logistics of travelling with her baby, on top of being a
mother of two and a referee, Berezowski is also a chartered professional
accountant. She admits that the spring season is one of her busiest times
of the year, with provincial championships and playoffs happening at the
same time as the Canadian tax season.
“It’s all about the support I receive from everyone, including my bosses
who have been very generous with allowing me to have flexible hours,”
Berezowski says. “During the spring, tax season and championships come to a
peak, so it’s all about giving some and taking some and being one of the
hardest workers out there.”
Normalizing newborns at the rink
Since donning the stripes when she was 16 years old, Berezowski says she has only once seen a mom with her newborn at the rink. However, she is optimistic that over time, it will be commonplace.
“We used to have to choose one of the two. I would’ve had to choose between continuing to do this or is it time to have a family,” Berezowski adds. “Now, people have opened their minds to the possibilities and you can do both. I’ve been lucky to be able to pursue everything.”
Berezowski is also in contact with the growing community of women officials. Whether it’s sharing experiences or bouncing thoughts and ideas off each other, the community continues to be very supportive. By sharing her story, Berezowski hopes to serve as a role model for other women, particularly new moms.
“I have a lot of colleagues that are young, and they haven’t started families yet, and through that online group, we’re transparent and showing that we’re in 2023, we can do this stuff if we want to, and I love that I can show that within my province and on the ice,” she says.
At the end of the day, Berezowski is encouraged by the support from the hockey community.
“It’s super rewarding to have a career, be an official on the ice and a mom, too,” she says. “Seeing people like Natalie Spooner and all she’s doing, we’re showing moms what is possible, and that we can do anything that we want to once we set our minds to it.”
The landscape of high-performance hockey officials has historically been dominated by men, but a number of elite women in Northern Ontario are breaking the mould and proving they can find success in high-performance leagues all over Ontario.
In the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), there has been an increase of women in stripes in the last few years, and that trend looks to be continuing. The NOHA had the chance to speak with two of its phenomenal officials, Brandy Dewar-Beecroft of Sault Ste. Marie and Joelle Ouellette of Sudbury, to discuss what officiating means for them as they break through the barriers of working junior hockey.
Brandy grew up playing minor hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, and began officiating as a way to earn some extra money. She soon grew to love being on the lines, and continued working her way up the ladder as she attended Brock University. Brandy found the key to making the transition from player to referee was learning what situations like icings looked like from different perspectives on the ice—and learning the rulebook inside and out.
Joelle’s first hockey coach was her father, and she also transitioned to officiating out of playing minor hockey in Sudbury. The Sudbury officiating community immediately took Joelle under its wing, and she felt like she gained a new family who were always there to help with questions or guide her in the right direction. Joelle soon found herself on the lines for AAA games, and was invited to the NOHA Development Weekend in 2017.
Both officials credit hard work and dedication to their success. Brandy carries an impressive résumé with multiple IIHF Women’s World Championship games under her belt, with her standout game being the CWHL Clarkson Cup final in 2014. She highlights this game as the one that showed her that she was on the right track, and gave her the confidence and motivation to keep working hard toward her officiating goals. Recently, she was selected to referee the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Division 1 Group A) in Angers, France, which was cancelled due to COVID-19, and the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Linköping and Mjölby, Sweden, which she respectfully declined as she welcomed a new baby. This year, Brandy is back for her first season with the NOJHL.
Joelle is still working her way through the ranks, but she’s already making a name for herself, and in 2018 was invited to the NHL Exposure Combine. She admits size can be a challenge sometimes for women at the high-performance levels of men’s hockey, but following procedures and being well-trained ensures everyone’s safety. She’s working toward her Level 4 certification, and has her eyes on the Olympic Games in the future.
Both Brandy and Joelle had a lot to say about their hockey families—the fellow officials, supervisors, schedulers and mentors who have helped them along the way, and the hard work and sacrifices often needed to work up to the higher levels. In some leagues, there still isn’t mileage available, so to skate in those levels, officials are often losing some of their game fee just to be there. It’s also difficult to watch men moving up the ranks faster, but both Brandy and Joelle are confident that there are opportunities for women in the officiating world, and there are supporters out there watching and ready to help bring more women onto the lines, including NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
Last season, the NOJHL welcomed Hillary Brennan to the league as its first woman to officiate a game. Hillary is currently officiating in her hometown of London, Ont.
“The continued success earned by Brandy, Joelle and Hillary is a testament to their dedication to the game,” Mazzuca says. “Their efforts and skill-set rightfully earned them the opportunity to officiate in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.”
The successes of officials like Brandy, Joelle and Hillary have shown that hard work and dedication are paramount, and that the opportunities and support within the officiating community are growing. There is still work to be done to make sure the path is clear for women, and that the systems of high-performance hockey are doing as much as possible to encourage young women to grow into the next wave of high-performance officials, but it's clear that the trailblazers are already here, and they’re paving the way for the next generation.
Hockey Canada has announced the management group that will lead the Hockey Canada Officiating Program through the 2026-27 season.
Dan Coles (Sherwood Park, AB), Matthew Fergenbaum (Thornhill, ON), Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton, AB), Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON) and Sean Tobin (Goulds, NL) will work alongside officiating manager Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC) and officiating coordinator Megan Howes (Burnaby, BC) to oversee the program.
At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Hockey Canada referee-in-chief Todd Robinson (Sackville, NS) announced his retirement, having served in the role since 2017. Through consultations with its 13 Members, Hockey Canada determined a new structure was required to lead the Officiating Program. The creation of a management group, staffed by individuals with focused mandates in their area of expertise, was identified as a key step forward for the program.
“Hockey Canada is grateful to Todd Robinson for his years of dedicated service to our officials,” said Hanoomansingh. “As Todd prepared to step down, it was clear that the size and diversity of the Officiating Program required multiple experts in positions of leadership. Our Members were supportive of this new direction and we are looking forward to seeing the program develop under the leadership of our new management group.”
Dan Coles will serve in the position of Officiating Education Lead and take responsibility for the development of the officiating curriculum and assisting in the development and delivery of training for officiating instructors. Coles began officiating with the St. Albert MHA at the age of 13 and has served in a variety of leadership roles across the officiating program, including as an assigner, clinic instructor and referee-in-chief. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, with a specialization in educational technology. Away from the rink, Coles has worked as a teacher and principal, primarily in physical education and mathematics, and currently works with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, focusing on labour relations and supporting teachers.
Matthew Fergenbaum takes on the role of Para Officiating Lead, supporting the Members with recruitment and development of officials for para hockey, as well as identifying and training officials for competitions sanctioned by World Para Ice Hockey (WPIH). Fergenbaum brings over two decades of on-ice officiating experience, including two Paralympic Winter Games and eight world championships. In the past year, he has become integral to the development of WPIH’s officiating staff, leading their officiating camp in South Korea, and will continue his work in parallel to this role with Hockey Canada.
Fraser Lawrence will take the role of OPOE Men’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the men’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Lawrence recently finished a glittering on-ice career, officiating league championships in the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, as well as the Canada Winter Games, two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2022 IIHF World Championship. While pursuing success in business as a senior sales executive, Lawrence has continued his involvement in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League, as well as participating in Hockey Canada’s 2024 Men’s Elite Development Camp and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Lawrence will bring his focus to mentoring the next generation of Hockey Canada officials and elevating the standard across the program.
Vanessa Stratton takes on the role of OPOE Women’s Head Coach, leading the development of high-performance officials in the women’s hockey stream of the Officiating Program of Excellence. Stratton currently splits her time between roles with BC Hockey, Hockey Canada and the IIHF, where she has coached officials at the last two editions of the IIHF Women’s World Championship, as well as being part of the core coaching group for the Road to Milano Olympic preparation program. In 2023, she was also nominated to join the IIHF Officiating Committee, where she contributes to the global growth and advancement of officiating. Off the ice, Stratton works full-time at Western University and will be starting her PhD in the fall 2025 at the University of Windsor, focusing her research on the officiating ecosystem.
Sean Tobin will serve in the position of Officiating Coaching Lead and take responsibility for the development of officiating coaches and leaders at the grassroots level across the country. Tobin most recently served as a senior instructor with several Members and is the former assistant referee-in-chief of Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO). Tobin developed the YouTube series Rule of the Week, promoting better understanding of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules, and was responsible for introducing the Green Armband Initiative to HEO. Alongside his hockey work, Tobin is a registered mental health clinician with extensive leadership experience in the public sector. His professional background has helped him foster practical training, mentorship and a thoughtful approach to officiating education and coaching across Canadian hockey.
The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game. The 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.
Officials from across the country are ready to take the ice for Canada’s U18 national club championships. Twenty-eight officials – 14 referees and 14 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada for the Esso Cup and TELUS Cup.
The officials for the 2025 Esso Cup in Lloydminster, Alberta, were drawn from the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence. Officials attended development camps and received ongoing mentorship in their Member programs, and were evaluated by national officiating coaches prior to the final selection.
“The Esso Cup is a great opportunity for these officials to finish the season with a national championship,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have challenged themselves throughout the season and faced stiff competition to be selected for this prestigious event.”
Referees
• Lindsey Ducharme (Hockey Alberta)
• Emily Hill (Hockey Alberta)
• Jenna Leighton (Hockey Nova Scotia)
• Daphnée Lemay (Hockey Quebec)
• Tori Pirruccio (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association)
• Jillian Purcell (Hockey New Brunswick)
• Kaitlyn Sauser (Hockey Saskatchewan)
Linespersons
• Megan French (Hockey Alberta)
• Carley Jewell (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association)
• Josée Martin (Hockey New Brunswick)
• Taylor Pearson (Hockey Saskatchewan)
• Leah Rideout (Hockey Nova Scotia)
• Shadei Saadé (Hockey Quebec)
• Coby Sullivan (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association)
The officiating coaches for the Esso Cup are Ashley Desjardins (Winnipeg, MB) and Theresa Llorente (Toronto, ON).
The officials chosen for the 2025 TELUS Cup in Chilliwack, B.C., are part of BC Hockey’s High Performance Officiating Program. They have undergone a lengthy identification and evaluation process by BC Hockey throughout the season, with several of these officials attending Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence camps.
“The TELUS Cup is a once-in-a-career opportunity for the officials of the host Member program,” says Hanoomansingh. “These officials have worked hard and competed all year from U18 AAA to Major Junior, and earned their selection to the national championship.”
Referees
• Jakob Brandstrom
• Jagjit Cheema
• Caden Fanshaw
• Trey Hucalak
• Bryce Manders
• Malcolm Simpson
• Kai Walsh
Linespersons
• Jeff Dayton
• Ryder Fabian
• Nick Gillam
• Aidan Hitchmough
• Isaac La Roy
• Nishan Mahal
• Jack McNabb
The officiating coaches for the TELUS Cup are Ron Dietterle (Aldergrove, BC) and Josh Smith (Blackfalds, AB).
Twenty-six officials – 13 referees and 13 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada to work the men’s and women’s U SPORTS national championships.
The tournaments will run concurrently from March 20-23, with the men’s University Cup taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, and the Women’s Hockey Championship on the ice in Elmira, Ontario.
“Hockey Canada would like to congratulate all the officials on their selection to the USPORTS championships,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Our university championships provide top-tier competition in a challenging, single-elimination tournament. These officials are at the top of the game and continued to hone their craft throughout the season to be ready for this event.”
The on-ice officials for the U SPORTS national championships will be outfitted by FORCE Sports.
Men's University Cup (Ottawa, ON)
Maxime Bedard (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson
Adam Burnett (Ontario Hockey Federation) – Linesperson
Taylor Burzminski (Hockey Alberta) – Referee
Dominic Cadieux (Hockey Québec) – Referee
Tanner Doiron (Hockey P.E.I.) – Referee
Maxime Ferland (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson
Mitchell Gibbs (BC Hockey) – Linesperson
Brendan Kane (Ontario Hockey Federation) – Referee
Shawn Oliver (Hockey Eastern Ontario) – Linesperson
Tyson Stewart (Hockey Eastern Ontario) – Referee
Women's Hockey Championship (Elmira, ON)
Grace Barlow (BC Hockey) – Referee
Brandy Beecroft (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Referee
Ali Beres (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson
Jessica Chartrand (Hockey Québec) – Linesperson
Alexandra Clarke (Hockey Saskatchewan) – Linesperson
Marie-Éve Couture (Hockey Québec) – Referee
Béatrice Fortin (Hockey Québec) – Referee
Laura Gutauskas (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson
Amy Laroche (BC Hockey) – Linesperson
Elizabeth Mantha (Hockey Québec) – Referee
Amy Martin (Hockey Manitoba) – Referee
Michelle McKenna (Hockey Saskatchewan) – Referee
Shauna Neary (Hockey Manitoba) – Referee
Sophie Thomson (Hockey Nova Scotia) – Linesperson
Justine Todd (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson
Erin Zach (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) – Linesperson
The officiating coaches for the University Cup will be Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC) and Kirk Wood (Cambridge, ON). The officiating coaches for the Women’s Hockey Championship will be Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Montréal, QC) and Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON).
As a player and an official, I haven’t had what you would call a ‘traditional’ path in hockey.
My playing days didn’t begin until I was almost a teenager, and my time wearing the stripes stopped and started before I got onto the journey I find myself on today.
I guess I’ll start there. I work as a linesperson in a number of leagues in and around Quebec. This season, I’ve done games in the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ), with U SPORTS and with Hockey Lac St-Louis, my local region.
Oh, and I serve as referee-in-chief of the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont, working with young officials.
And did I mention I’m a full-time student, finishing my degree in physical education at McGill University?
It’s a lot, but I love the game.
As I said earlier, I got into the game late. Growing up in Montreal, I watched PK Subban on TV and wanted to be just like him. I knew I wasn’t going to actually make it to the NHL, but I wanted to get on the ice and see where the game would take me. More than anything, I just wanted to have fun.
I was already an active kid. I was always outside, always playing games, but never anything too organized, outside of a couple years of soccer. In school, I lived for sports. I’d make sure I was on every single extracurricular team there was. And I’d be at school all day; from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I’d be in class. And then from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., I’d be playing sports.
Finally, when I was 12, my mom agreed to sign me up for minor hockey.
I’m pretty sure I was late for my first tryouts, so I just ended up on a random team, but I loved it. I never played too competitive, never got to AAA or anything like that, but I was just happy to be playing.
Shortly after I started playing, my dad left. So, it was just the five of us – my mom, myself and my three siblings. Money was tight. But my mom kept me in hockey. She kept all of us in the things we loved. She always put her children first, and made sure we had what we wanted.
If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Heck, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even know how to skate!
So… Mom, if you’re reading this, thank you. You are the reason I am here today. I love you.
I played minor hockey through to U18, and I thought my playing career was done at that point. Until I got a phone call from the coach at Cégep André-Laurendeau, asking if I wanted to join the college team. I was surprised, because I had never considered collegiate hockey, but I had a buddy on the team who recommended me.
It was already December, and the season was two months old, but I was on the ice the next day and quickly found myself a member of the Boomerang. That was my home for the next two years.
When that chapter was complete, I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game. I wanted to be active, wanted to be on the ice.
My coach told me he knew a guy if I ever wanted to be an official, so I thought… why not?
I did say earlier that my officiating career stopped and started. I actually got my start as an official when I was 16. But at that point, I didn’t want to work the two-man system and do U11 and U13 games. It wasn’t for me.
Fast forward four or five years, and it was a different story. The guy my coach knew was Doug Hayward, who has spent decades involved in officiating in Quebec. He’s has earned provincial and national recognition working with young officials, so when he spoke, I listened.
I decided to give it a real go this time.
It didn’t take long to realize officiating was something I was good at, and something that could be more than – as I considered it – a great way to serve the game and stay physically active. I was working AAA games my first year, and after that first year I got the call to go to the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine. Then I got hired in the QMJHL. Then I got hired in the AHL. Then I got hired in the ECHL. I was like, “Okay, this happening.”
Last season, I started to get more attention nationally and internationally. I attended the provincial Member camp in Quebec, and got an invite to the National High Performance Officiating Camp in Calgary, just about a year ago.
I’ve worked the TELUS Cup, Junior A World Challenge, Centennial Cup and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, working with some of the best officials from across the country. That kind of experience only makes me better on and off the ice.
Hockey Canada helped me get my B license with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and that led to my first-ever international assignment – the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Division 2A in Dumfries, Scotland.
That was a crazy experience. I spent the first three days just watching, because my luggage didn’t show up. I flew Montreal-Paris-Amsterdam-Edinburgh, and my connection in Paris was only 45 minutes. It’s a huge airport, so I had a feeling my luggage wasn’t making it.
But it was a really nice event. When you work IIHF events, you get to meet new people and you create friendships. We were 11 officials over there, and there are three or four that I still talk to on a regular basis. I’m excited to do more events like that in the future.
The question I get a lot is: How? How do I juggle officiating and school, along with everyday life?
I’d say it’s easier now than it was a few years ago. When I started officiating, I didn’t really know what was going on, so I’d bring my laptop to the rink. I’d show up half an hour early just to finish my work. And then when I got back home after hockey, I’d hop back on the computer and finish my assignments.
I just always have my computer when I travel. If I take a plane, which I do usually once a month, I’ll show up an hour earlier and just do some work to make sure it’s done.
Most of my teachers are understanding. There has definitely been some hockey that I have had to miss out on because I had to be in class, but for most of the part there has been a good balance.
Sleep has taken a bit of a hit, because I’ll either stay up really late or get up really early to finish some work because I know I’m travelling four or five hours for a game. The last thing I want to do when I get home at two in the morning is homework. So, I’ll sleep four or five hours, wake up early, finish my work and then submit it. I’ve made it work, and I’m almost done!
As exciting as being on the ice in some of the best leagues in the world is, there’s something special about working with the young officials with the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont.
There are two things I tell young officials:
Number one, you have to make sure you’re having fun. If you’re not having fun, this is not for you, and I won’t take it personally if you don’t want to officiate anymore.
Number two, everybody is human. It’s normal to make mistakes. I’m officiating at the professional level, but that doesn’t mean I don’t make a mistake. But you need to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from your mistakes to get better.
When I go to rinks to supervise, the officials get so stressed whenever they see me walk in the building. So, the first thing I do is tell them, “Let’s relax here. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to help you.”
Before I wrap up, I just wanted to reiterate that I’m extremely lucky to be in the position I’m in, and I don’t take it for granted. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been an official for four years.
But it’s all about the love of the game, as I’ve mentioned a couple times.
The official may be the “law and order” on the ice, but I really do go out there with a smile on my face and try to make friends. I don’t want to make enemies. Whenever I have an opportunity to shoot a joke, I’ll take it. I’ll see a player, I’ll make a joke and we’ll build off of that.
The next time we’re on the ice together, I’m happy to see them and hopefully they’re happy to see me too.
Just like I tell my officials … if you’re not having fun, this probably isn’t for you!
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and Force Sports have announced The First Whistle, a new program designed to reduce barriers to entry for officials, including for women and individuals from underrepresented communities.
Primarily targeting newly certified officials, the program looks to increase registrations by using jerseys loaned to approved minor hockey associations and limiting the cost barriers for prospective officials.
“Officiating is such a tremendous way for participants of all ages to be involved in hockey and we recognize that across the country, there are existing barriers impacting entry-level opportunities for interested officials,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating for Hockey Canada. “In partnership with Force Sports, we hope that The First Whistle can help minor hockey associations recruit more officials and ultimately create lifelong engagement with hockey for participants in the program, which will benefit Hockey Canada, our Members and participants.”
“Through this program and our partnership with Hockey Canada, Force Sports hopes to reduce the barriers to entry for those wanting to try officiating,” said Dave Martin, president of Force Sports.
More information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program can be found here.
To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Canadian officials are ready to hit the world stage.
Forty-seven officials – 24 referees and 23 linespersons – have been licensed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for international competition during the 2024-25 season. Specific assignments for these officials will be announced by the IIHF throughout the season.
“We are always proud of our officials who represent Canada at the international level,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “The opportunity to participate in international competition is a career highlight for officials. Every Canadian official who is licensed by the IIHF competes for years to earn that opportunity and once they have, there’s someone trying to take their spot. The achievements of these officials are a credit to themselves, as well as their Member programs, who aided in their development.”
The list is headlined by the officials on the IIHF’s Road to Milano program, as they compete for an assignment to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Canada’s representatives include 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.
Additionally, eight officials have received their first license and will look to make their international debuts this season: referees Danny Emerson, Adam Forbes, Audrey-Anne Girard and Ty Skene, and linespersons Pierre-Olivier Couture, Nathan Howes, Amy Laroche and Brennan Walker.
Departing from the IIHF list ahead of the season are officials Brayden Arcand (Hockey Alberta), Chad Huseby (Hockey Alberta), Danika Kroeker (BC Hockey) and Brett Mackey (BC Hockey).
“We congratulate these officials on their successes at the international level,” said Hanoomansingh. “For years, these officials were the standard-bearers for the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, the ones who young officials strived to emulate. To those officials who will continue to officiate in leagues across the country, we thank them for their continued service to officiating in Canada. To those who are stepping off the ice and into the next chapter of their lives, we wish them all the best.”
CANADIAN OFFICIALS LICENCED FOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS FOR 2024-25 SEASON
Referees | |
---|---|
Name (Member) | Event (Location) |
Grace Barlow (BC Hockey) | -- |
Jennifer Berezowski (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
Adam Bloski (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Taylor Burzminski (Hockey Alberta) | -- |
Dominic Cadieux (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Michael Campbell (BC Hockey) | Olympic Qualification, Group D (Bratislava, SVK) |
Marie-Ève Couture (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Brandy Dewar (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
Tanner Doiron (Hockey PEI) | -- |
Danny Emerson (Ontario Hockey Federation) | -- |
Adam Forbes (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Béatrice Fortin (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Audrey-Anne Girard (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Jesse Gour (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Mike Langin (BC Hockey) | Olympic Qualification, Group E (Riga, LAT) |
Cianna Lieffers (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Élizabeth Mantha (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Amy Martin (Hockey Manitoba) | -- |
Michelle McKenna (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Troy Murray (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Shauna Neary (Hockey Nova Scotia) | -- |
Mark Pearce (BC Hockey) | -- |
Ty Skene (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Tyson Stewart (Hockey Eastern Ontario) | -- |
Linespersons | |
Name (Hometown) | Event (Location) |
Nick Albinati (BC Hockey) | -- |
Maxime Bédard (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Ali Beres (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
Brian Birkhoff (Ontario Hockey Federation) | -- |
Jessica Chartrand (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Alexandra Clarke (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Pierre-Olivier Couture (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Joanie Duchesneau (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Jérémy Faucher (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Maxime Ferland (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Stéphanie Gagnon (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Mitchell Gibbs (BC Hockey) | -- |
Laura Gutauskas (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
Nathan Howes (BC Hockey) | -- |
Anthony Lapointe (Hockey Quebec) | -- |
Shawn Oliver (Hockey Eastern Ontario) | -- |
Melissa Pateman (BC Hockey) | -- |
Sophie Thomson (Hockey Nova Scotia) | -- |
Justine Todd (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
Brennan Walker (BC Hockey) | -- |
Tarrington Wyonzek (Hockey Saskatchewan) | -- |
Erin Zach (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | -- |
As part of the IIHF program for the 2024-25 season, 12 officials – six referees and six linespersons – will participate in the IIHF’s From Good to Great program this season. This program is in its inaugural season and is designed for individuals who have been identified by national associations as future top international officials.
“This is a fantastic initiative from the IIHF and we are thrilled for our officials who will participate,” said Hanoomansingh. “It is always an adjustment for officials when they progress from the national to the international level. However, this program will provide an opportunity for our officials to be introduced to the expectations of the international game, so that when they receive their first assignment, they can achieve immediate success.”
Name (Member) | Role |
Gillian Allan (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | Linesperson |
Jodi Anderson (Hockey Manitoba) | Linesperson |
Tara Benard-Rae (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) | Referee |
Mathieu Boudreau (Hockey Quebec) | Referee |
Adam Burnett (Ontario Hockey Federation) | Linesperson |
Cynthia Côté (Hockey Manitoba) | Referee |
Elizabeth Dornstauder (Hockey Saskatchewan) | Referee |
Nick Grenier (Hockey Manitoba) | Linesperson |
Chad Ingalls (Ontario Hockey Federation) | Referee |
William Kelly (Hockey Quebec) | Referee |
Josh Miko (Hockey Manitoba) | Linesperson |
Luke Pye (Hockey Saskatchewan) | Linesperson |
Four Canadians will also work as part of the IIHF officiating coaching staff this season: Todd Anderson, Greg Kimmerly, Kevin Muench and Vanessa Stratton.
The Hockey Canada Officiating Program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game. Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals. For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.
If it wasn’t for a disgruntled cow, Alex Clarke might not have become one of the best and most respected officials in the world.
It was the spring of 2015 and Clarke (then going by her maiden name, Alex Blair) had just been drafted 53rd overall by the Calgary Inferno of the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League when was she kicked by a cow on her family farm, resulting in a lingering knee injury.
"I wasn't able to properly train throughout the summer. So, the decision was kind of made for me not to go to [Inferno training] camp and try out that fall,” recalls Clarke, who played three seasons with the Weyburn Gold Wings of the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) before playing NCAA Division III hockey at the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota.
But when the door on Clarke's playing career closed, another opened.
"I knew I wanted to stay involved in hockey," she recalls. "I had previously thought that maybe coaching was a good avenue for me, but at the time I was 22 years old and my personality just doesn't fit well with standing on a bench and being tied to a team schedule. So, I ended up pursuing officiating instead."
Since then, Clarke has skyrocketed through the officiating ranks. A native of Drake, Saskatchewan (population 197), she has worked in her home province in the SFU18AAAHL and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), nationally at the Esso Cup and internationally at the IIHF Women's World Championship.
In 2021 she became the first woman to officiate in the Western Hockey League (she also was the first woman to work a WHL game as a referee earlier this season) and on Dec. 5, 2021 she became the first woman to work a game in the American Hockey League.
“My love for the game is what inspires me to get out there,” Clarke says about being an official. “It's a place where I get to go and forget about everything else that’s going on. I get to have fun. I get to be with friends.
“Since I've had success, and I've been a little bit more recognized, it means a lot more to me to go out there and know that I'm somebody that people see as a trailblazer as the only female in certain leagues.”
The past few years in particular have been quiet the ride for Clarke, who reached the pinnacle of international hockey when she worked as a linesperson at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, and earlier this year she began calling games in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Most recently, she officiated the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during the NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto.
“It’s felt natural,” Clarke says of her progression as an official. “Aside from the 2021-22 season where I jumped around lot of leagues at the same time, its very similar to being a player. Being scouted [and] evaluated, and when I was ready to be put into the next level, I was ready and determined to be capable. I’ve had a lot of good experiences and never felt like I was over my head.”
Inspiring the next generation
While her pathway to becoming an official was a certainly unique, Clarke says she wouldn’t have chosen any other scenario.
“[When I was looking into getting into officiating,]Hockey Saskatchewan was really good,” Clarke recalls. “They welcomed me with open arms. After knowing my hockey background, they invited me to a referee camp and when I arrived, they were so welcoming and immediately felt like part of the family.”
As an official, Clarke hopes to show that there are many pathways to being involved in hockey and she hopes to have the opportunity to mentor more young officials.
“Anybody that’s looking to get into officiating, I would say go into it with open eyes and an open perspective,” Clarke says. “I went in for the love of the game and the desire to improve and take feedback, and it’s probably going to take you places that you probably didn’t expect.”
With the growth of women’s hockey over the last few years, Clarke has realized the importance of being a role model on the ice, even as an official. Clarke believes the added spotlight on women’s hockey thanks to the PWHL is making a huge difference.
“I have a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and she’s really starting to be impressionable,” says Clarke, who also has a young son. “This season, I brought the family with me to the NHL All-Star Game, and to see her reaction and having her talk about Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse, she wants to be around hockey. She has so much more interest and investment in it because she’s seeing other women as great examples.
“I think it just resonates with a lot of people and little girls and boys are now able to see women and moms and full-grown adults out on the ice and in the arenas, you just get a sense of equality for everybody to achieve those goals.”
As more and more leagues, such as the AHL, include women officials, Clarke hopes to continue the push for women to take the next step. With her experience at NHL All-Star Weekend, Clarke believes we could be seeing women referees in NHL games soon.
“Getting a female into the NHL, it may be two years away, it may be 10 years away, but if I can help play a role in getting a female there, whether that’s me or somebody I can mentor and develop and inspire to take that next step, I think that’s helping progress female officials as a whole, I’m looking to have an impact on the next generation.”
Aside from that, Clarke’s long-term goal is to be at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. But for now, her eyes are set on the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships in Utica, New York.
“I want to earn a spot to be in the gold medal game,” Clarke says. “We as officials are competing out there and we want to earn that gold medal spot too. Ultimately, I want to have fun and better myself and the people around me.”
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