CALGARY, Alta. – Twenty-seven officials from across Canada and three international delegates will attend the Hockey Canada Level VI Officiating Seminar from November 9-13, 2011 in Guelph, Ont., Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.

The seminar prepares top officials in Canada for national championships and IIHF competitions, from the RBC Cup and World Under-17 Hockey Challenge to IIHF World Championship and Olympics.

”Canada has always been a top provider of high-level officials throughout the world,” said James Mays, referee-in-chief with Hockey Canada. ”This begins with the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, an instruction program that is the envy of other hockey nations around the world.”

Level VI seminars are held based on a national need for Level VI officials. The last Hockey Canada Level VI Officiating Seminar was held in Moncton, N.B., in 2009. Todd Anderson, Hockey Canada’s manager of officiating, is responsible for the organization of the site and program, establishing criteria and reviewing the candidates’ qualifications.

Candidates on hand have been nominated by Hockey Canada’s branches and are fully-certified Level V officials. An established selection committee reviewed all the candidates and selected those that will be in attendance in Guelph.

The instruction will be handled by, among others, Hockey Canada referee-in-chief James Mays, Hockey Canada manager of officiating Todd Anderson and Hockey Canada Referee Committee members Doug Hayward and Kevin Muench. Guest instructors will also be making presentations throughout the seminar.

Twenty-seven Canadian officials and three international delegates will participate in the five-day seminar. There are approximately 80 active Level VI officials registered in Canada. Delegates for this seminar are:

Ryan Bonnett, Airdrie, Alb.
Mélanie Bordeleau, Lavaltrie, Qc
Scott Brown, Hamilton, Ont.
Tom Clarkson, Saint John, N.-B.
Chris Crich, Saskatoon, Sask.
Matthew Ferguson, Prescott, Ont.
Scott Ferguson, Mississauga, Ont.
TJ Foster, Guelph, Ont.
Dominic Franc, Brossard, Qc
Patrick Gagnon, Brandon, Man.
Chris Hodgins, Ottawa, Ont.
Brett Iverson, Richmond, C.-B.
Jeff Ingram, Langley, C.-B.
Trent Knorr, Victoria, C.-B.
Pierre Lambert, St-Basile-le-Grand, Qc
Scott Loney, Ottawa, Ont.
Mario Maillet, Dieppe, N.-B.
Peter Moraitis, Saint-Lambert, Qc
Brett Montsion, Winnipeg, Man.
Kendrick Nicholson, Sauble Beach, Ont.
Devin Piccott, Dartmouth, N.-É.
Kyle Scrivens, Winnipeg, Man.
Jonathan Spurgeon, Edmonton, Alb.
Stephen Starzomski, Halifax, N.-É.
Jean- Philippe Sylvain, Magog, Qc
Colin Watt, Edmonton, Alb.
Chad Williams, Saskatoon, Sask.

Andres Koch, Féd. suisse de hockey sur glace
Peter Gebei, Féd. hongroise de hockey sur glace
Gordon Schukies, Féd. allemande de hockey sur glace

Todd Anderson, Hockey Canada’s manager of officiating, will be on-site in Guelph and can be reached via email at tanderson@hockeycanada.ca or (403) 874-3368.