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).

The stage that women and girls have in hockey today has been paved by many talented and dedicated women.

That history is not lost on the coaches and players on the U18 Girls Prep team at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island.

It’s also a history they use to build their culture of mentorship, inclusivity and giving back to community so the next generation can achieve greater strides in the future.

“We have tried to teach the girls that there are other opportunities and there is more to life than hockey,” says Carly Haggard, head coach of the U18 team. “Hockey is a huge part of why they come here and what we do. We celebrate hockey, but there is a lot more that we try and teach them so that they are ready and successful at the next level – whether that’s university or whatever they want to strive for.”

Haggard helped start the girls’ program at Shawnigan almost 10 years ago and has overseen its growth on and off the ice. She is also a teacher and lives in one of the boarding houses on campus.

“I think one of the reasons why I love coaching at Shawnigan is the kids who come here,” she says. “They understand that there’s so much more than hockey. You build deeper connections, and you become family.”

Every year, the team holds a special game night with a theme, and donations are collected for the cause. Previous events included Lunar New Year, World Cancer Day and Breast Cancer Month.

This year, with women’s hockey in the spotlight in March, the team honoured women in sport and women in hockey. For their Senior Night game against the Greater Vancouver Comets, the players donned replica pink Team Canada jerseys from the 1990 IIHF World Women’s Championship. Donations raised went to the Hockey Canada Foundation’s Hockey is Hers initiative.

“It just felt right to celebrate … women in sport and honouring the generations of women that have paved the way to make this team have the opportunities they have now,” says Haggard. “We did the pink replica Team Canada jersey, and they were cool and special, and the girls loved them. They felt so proud putting them on and understanding the significance of what they were.”

For alternate captain Dawson Benson, one of the team’s seniors, wearing that jersey was a highlight of the year and an honour.

“Our special game nights are so much bigger than just the game,” she says. “It felt like we were part of something important and it was such a surreal experience. We took so much pride in playing for females in sport and women in hockey.”

Those iconic pink jerseys were symbolic because it was the first official Women’s Worlds, a groundbreaking moment in the history of the game, and Team Canada won gold on home ice in Ottawa. Wearing the jersey meant something different to every player.

“We wanted them to understand the women and female hockey players who paved the way – not only for them, but for other little girls that are coming up to play hockey,” says Lexxi Smith, the team’s assistant coach. “Every player has experienced women empowerment a little differently, but for them to be able to celebrate this event was special and they were excited.”

Haggard and Smith have been the driving force of building the game in the area by including local girls’ hockey teams and associations to share their knowledge and passion of the game.

“I’ve been at Shawnigan for five years now and one of the first things I noticed, and it’s been continuous through my time here, is the culture that this program has and recognizing that hockey is bigger than just us,” says Smith. “Being on Vancouver Island, female hockey is continuously growing, but having support from a program like Shawnigan in a small community is needed.”

Every year, the program hosts local girls from the Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association to join the team through mentorship opportunities. Their guests come to campus and can join the team on the ice as well as take part in the pre-game and post-game activities.

“The girls are constantly looking for ways to connect with the community and share their passion for the game with the younger generation,” says Smith. “The girls love it when we host our mentorship games. They adore when the girls come into the locker room and can share what it means to play hockey at Shawnigan.”

For Benson, it means so much to be able to share her passion through these mentorship games.

“It is so special to be able to have the opportunity to inspire younger girls,” she says. “Growing up, I played with boys most of my life, so I think it’s important for the next generation of girls to play against other girls and have female mentors. Seeing how much passion those girls have and their dreams they want to achieve makes you feel lucky to provide an opportunity to help them.”

Building a legacy for a better future of young hockey players is important to Haggard.

“We talk a lot about the impact they have without even knowing it,” the coach says. “We talk a lot about them being role models and the impact they have on the next generation, so those girls don’t have the same struggle. We can pave the way for future generations.”

That philosophy has been built into the culture at Shawnigan that the players live every day.

“These past years at Shawnigan have been an honour. It is something I hold close to my heart,” says Benson. “It is such a privilege to play here and wear this crest. It is a program that prides itself on player development, and not just on the ice. They care about every player. I am happy with what I am leaving behind. It is amazing that other players will come in and continue with the Shawnigan legacy.”

One of Canada’s most decorated linespersons during her on-ice career, Vanessa Stratton has smoothly transitioned to her latest role as an officiating coach, one of just three dozen around the world.

The Toronto native’s career included 10 national championships, seven world championships, U SPORTS championships and multiple Clarkson Cup Final games in the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League. She is also the only woman on the IIHF Officiating Committee and works as the female high performance officiating lead with BC Hockey.

HockeyCanada.ca got the chance to sit down with Stratton and ask about her journey, her favourite moments and her advice for young officials just getting into the game.

HC: You transitioned from competitive figure skating to hockey when you were 13. Who inspired you to become an official?

VS: I was fortunate enough to grow up on skates. From the time we could walk, my sister and I were enrolled in figure skating. Both of us took to it and ended up competing at various levels. When we moved to Windsor, I went on the ice for a practice, got off the ice and said to my parents that I was ready to try something different and wanted to play hockey.

Switching to hockey led to my journey in officiating. A lot of my friends were getting part-time jobs at different places. My dad suggested I try officiating. It was a way to make some cash, but also make my own schedule. I enrolled in a certification course, got connected to the local association and referee-in-chief and off to the races we were.

The cool part is my dad had a bit of a vested interest. He played in the OHL and NCAA and then had a similar pathway where it was suggested he try officiating. He climbed the ranks quickly, officiating in the OHL and IHL, and did a quick stint in the NHL for exhibition games. It’s fun to really look back and see how our journeys were different streams, yet similar pathways and I give him a ton of credit for promoting officiating to me as it wasn’t something I had considered at the time.

HC: What is the most memorable game you officiated?

VS: Anything at the international level is always such a privilege, but nothing beats a Canada-U.S. game. I was afforded the opportunity to do a few. Kamloops hosted the 4 Nations Cup in 2014 and Women’s Worlds in 2016, and I was selected to do both events. I was skating the gold medal game in 2014, Canada vs. United States. It was a sold-out crowd – at the time, women’s hockey was starting to really gain some traction and it was such an electric atmosphere.

Why this one was so memorable is that it just recently created a full-circle moment. Prior to some games, we have a group of young officials come on the ice with us for opening laps and the anthems. That game we had four young officials on with us. Fast forward to when I was living out in British Columbia and took on the role with BC Hockey, I found out that two of those officials were on the ice that day with me. Years later, it made that game even more special.

HC: What is your favourite part about your role as an officiating coach?

VS: Here’s the really unique thing about both officiating and coaching – the team that you work with is very rarely the same. In both roles, you have to adapt how you work together, communicate with one another and leverage each other’s strengths in short-term competition. It’s more prominent in my role as an officiating coach and it’s something I appreciate the challenge of.

Secondly, seeing the officials you work with gain success and achieve their goals is something that is just so special. And lastly, the people really make the experience. I get to work with such a variety of people in officiating – whether it be provincially, nationally or internationally – and many of them have become lifelong friends. Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie and I went to almost every one of our international events together, we were roommates at almost all of them and skated a good chunk of games together. Now we get to be officiating coaches together and she has become one of my very good friends.

HC: What do you look for in a young official that can help them get to the next level?

VS: Of course, the technical skills – skating is at the forefront of those skills. Agility and mobility, along with strength and speed, are all part of the toolbox. Then, how do they react in a game – positioning and movement, how they implement and manage the rules in game. Communication is also key – how an official communicates with coaches, players and their own teammates is a predominant trait that is of growing importance for an official who is striving to do higher levels of hockey.

With the evolution of the sport as a whole, one of the aspects in officiating that our different leadership groups are really focusing on is looking for the “whole official.” We want the best officials and those that have potential to grow, and they need to have the technical skills and abilities, but they also need to be well-rounded people and bring the off-ice skills that are necessary to being good teammates and good humans in our group as well.

HC: We’ve seen how women’s hockey has grown in recent years; what has that meant for officials and providing more opportunities to showcase their skills?

VS: International women’s hockey is thriving. Professional women’s leagues in places such as Switzerland and Sweden are continuing to grow and provide opportunities for officials overseas. Specifically in North America, the PWHL has brought a focused energy that has not existed through the previous leagues and a true professional mentality towards women’s hockey in the two largest markets in the world.

However, there is still a gap when it comes to the opportunities, specifically for female officials. We don’t need to provide equal opportunities, but we should be equitable. And while there has been a phenomenal number of opportunities and attention on the players, coaches and administrators within the league, the unpopular opinion is that there have not been equitable opportunities for officials. And this is something I would love to challenge and urge the various stakeholders and decision-makers to change. Let’s close the gap across all facets of the game and truly become equitable and provide the opportunities to women in the entire game.

HC: In 2023, you became one of four people—and the only woman—elected to the IIHF Officiating Committee. What does it mean to be able to have an impact over the development of hockey officials around the world?

VS: Well, when you read that, it hits a bit on how impactful my role can be. The truth is, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome when I first started. First of all, I’m thankful for the opportunity and the trust – both from the IIHF and Hockey Canada, who supported the nomination. To be able to be a part of the development of hockey officials at a global level is incredible.

At the IIHF, there is currently a shift happening – how we facilitate and implement officiating across licensing and selections, developing and growing member national associations (MNAs) along with coaching and education are key facets that are evolving and changing. My role in that process and to be fortunate to put my own stamp on pieces of a change is such a unique opportunity. It’s exciting to be a part of such a large-scale change that will benefit and impact so many across the world and hopefully be in place for the foreseeable future.

HC: What advice do you have for young women who are beginning their officiating journey?

VS: I have a few pieces of advice…

- Develop a strong knowledge of the game – Never stop learning.

- Physical fitness is important – Fitness will help you perform better and boost your confidence.

- Seek out mentorship – Find experienced officials to support you and help guide your journey.

- Learn from mistakes – We all make them; it’s part of learning and growing.

- Believe in yourself – Confidence is key.

- Advocate for yourself – Speak up when necessary; it’s important to voice concerns or seek opportunities.

- Be resilient – Especially for young officials; you will encounter challenges and still see biases, so it’s essential to stay resilient and focused on your path.

- Enjoy the journey – Make sure you take the time to enjoy the ride, because it is really something special!

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

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.”

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.”

Twenty-six officials – 13 referees and 13 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada for the U SPORTS championship tournaments.

The tournaments will run concurrently from March 14-17, with the men’s University Cup taking place in Toronto and the Women’s Hockey Championship taking place in Saskatoon.

The 2024 championships will feature a veteran crew in stripes, with a wealth of experience at the domestic and international levels. The roster for the men’s tournament is headlined by referee Mark Pearce (North Vancouver, BC) who refereed the gold medal games at the 2022 U Cup and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. The roster for the women’s championship led by Olympic officials Alexandra Clarke (Drake, SK), Stéphanie Gagnon (Princeville, QC) and Cianna Lieffers (Cudworth, SK).

“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 amateur competition, in a challenging, single-elimination tournament. These officials are at the top of the amateur game and continued to hone their craft throughout the season to be ready for this event.”

The officiating coach for the men’s U Cup will Marc Maisonneuve (Gatineau, QC). The officiating coach for the Women’s U SPORTS Championship will be Vanessa Stratton (Windsor, ON).

Nearly 100 officials from coast to coast to coast have been selected to attend Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) camps.

Sixty-one officials were chosen for regional identification camps, with a further 30 attending the prestigious National High Performance Selection Camp. Additionally, the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence will continue for its second year.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity for our top officials to compete at the national level,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Our regional camps provide officials with an introduction to the national level and prepare them to compete for national assignments at the U18 level.

“We are thrilled to continue the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence for a second year and are grateful for the support of the Hockey Canada Foundation, as a presenting partner, without whom this would not be possible.”

The OPOE is the pathway through which Canadian officials are selected for top national and international assignments. The objectives are to provide a clear developmental pathway for aspiring elite officials, provide developmentally appropriate coaching for elite officials, prepare officials for national and international competitions, and assist Hockey Canada in making evidence-based decisions for national and international events. Officials enter the OPOE through regional identification camps, based on nominations from their Member programs.

The 30 officials who will attend the National High Performance Selection Camp will participate in an intensive four-day experience intended to help them develop the tools needed to succeed at an elite level. They were part of a months-long evaluation process, including input from their respective Member programs and leagues, prior to a final selection by Hockey Canada.

“An invitation for the National High Performance Selection Camp represents years of hard work and dedication to the craft of officiating,” says Hanoomansingh. “These officials have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and are now ready to join our top group of officials and compete with the best in the world.”

Upon successful completion of the camp, the officials will join the national high-performance program and compete for Junior A and senior national championships, as well as international assignments.

National High Performance Selection Camp (Calgary, AB – Feb. 1-4)

The staff for the National High Performance Camp include Hanoomansingh, Dr. David Hancock, Megan Howes, Steve Lidstone, Pat Malloy, Kevin Muench, Todd Robinson and Vanessa Stratton.

Women’s Atlantic Regional Camp (Halifax, NS – Sept. 14-17)

The officiating coaches are Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie, Meghan MacTavish and Shauna Neary.

Men’s West Regional Camp (Calgary, AB – Sept. 26-29)

The officiating coaches are Hanoomansingh, CJ Senkow and Colin Watt.

Men’s East Regional Camp (Sherbrooke, QC – Oct. 26-29)

The officiating coaches are François Fortin, Marc Maisonneuve, Peter Moraitis and Kirk Wood.

Women’s Central Regional Camp (Montréal, QC – Nov. 11-13)

The officiating coaches are Ariano-Lortie, Stéphanie Campbell and Theresa Llorente.

Women’s West Regional Camp (Regina, SK – Dec. 7-10)

The officiating coaches are Stratton and Ashley Desjardins.