CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced on Friday that three Canadians have been named by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to work as on-ice officials at the 69th IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship in Austria (Vienna & Innsbruck), April 30 – May 15, 2005.

The three officials selected by the IIHF are:

This will be Rob Matsuoka’s second IIHF Men’s World Championship having previously refereed at the 2003 World Championship where he worked the bronze medal game.  The Calgary, AB native has been a referee in the Western Hockey League for the past seven years where he has overseen more than 450 games and has refereed two Memorial Cups (2001, 2002).  Matsuoka began his international officiating career at the 2001 World U18 Championship followed by the 2003 World Junior Championship in Halifax.

Derek Doucette of Saint John’s, NB, will be making his first appearance at the IIHF Men’s World Championship.  Doucette is a linesman in both the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the American Hockey League and was a linesman at the 2000 Memorial Cup.  Derek also has international experience having officiated at the 20 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Dean Laschowski is entering his third straight IIHF Men’s World Championship having previously been a linesman at the 2003 & 2004 Men’s Worlds.  A 9-year veteran of the Western Hockey League, Dean has also had the opportunity to be a linesman in the 20 Memorial Cups.

Hockey Canada’s Officiating Program is for individuals interested or currently officiating the game of hockey, from beginners to seasoned veterans. There are six levels in the Officiating program, from those getting started at Level I to the top tier of officials, Level 6.

The lower levels are designed to get individuals started in officiating, while the higher levels are open to officials who have advanced and have shown potential to work the top leagues and elite hockey events in Canada and internationally.