Twenty-six officials – 13 referees and 13 linespersons – have been selected by Hockey Canada for the U SPORTS hockey championships. The U SPORTS women’s championship will take place in Charlottetown, P.E.I., from March 24-27 and the U SPORTS men’s championship – the U Cup – will take place in Wolfville, N.S., from March 31-April 3.

“The officials who have been selected for the U SPORTS championships should be very proud of themselves,” says Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “Many of these officials have had their seasons disrupted by the Omicron variant, but they kept training, stayed ready and have earned their spot at these national championships.”

OFFICIALS SELECTED FOR THE U SPORTS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

All officials have progressed through their Member high-performance and national programs, which prepares Canada’s top officials for success at the highest levels of the game. Receiving an assignment for a U SPORTS championship represents years of work in Canada’s top domestic leagues and is a tremendous accomplishment, both for the officials and their Member development programs.

“Our program is for anyone who is interested in officiating, from the grassroots to the international game,” says Hanoomansingh. “Hockey Canada's 13 Members provide a path for anyone to participate in officiating, develop a love for the game and achieve their goals.

Officials are integral to the game, enforcing the standard of safe and fair play in arenas from coast to coast to coast. No matter what the level, without officials, there is no game.”

For more information on the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.