The last month has been busy for Hockey Manitoba’s high performance officials representing their province on the national stage at the 2019 Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE), 2019 WHL Cup, 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2019 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

Derian Penziwol (Brandon), Andrew Paul (Brandon) and Nick Grenier (Ile Des Chenes) attended the 2019 Officiating Program of Excellence in Abbotsford, British Columbia from October 11th to 13th. The OPOE is designed as an officiating talent identification and training program for elite officiating prospects, which extends beyond Branch officiating development.

–  Derian Penziwol is a Level 5 official who currently referees games in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League.

–  Andrew Paul is a Level 4 official who currently lines games in the Manitoba Junior Hockey league and the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League. ‘

–  Nick Grenier is a Level 4 official who is also Hockey Manitoba’s regional referee coordinator for the Eastman Region. Grenier currently works the lines in the WHL, MJHL, MMJHL and SEMHL and he is also a mentor within the Hockey Manitoba Officials Program. Grenier lined the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge which took place in Medicine Hat, Alberta and Swift Current, Saskatchewan from November 2nd to November 9th.

Justin Johnson (Winnipeg) and Micah Croker (Brandon) officiated at The 2019 WHL Cup which took place in Calgary from October 23rd to October 27th. Justin lined the Gold Medal Game between Team Manitoba and Team Saskatchewan while Micah received the referee assignment for the Bronze medal game between Team Alberta and Team British Columbia.

–  Justin Johnson is a Level 4 official who currently works the lines in the MJHL, MMJHL and Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League.

–  Micah Croker is a Level 5 official who currently referees games in the MJHL and Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League.

Amy Martin (Stonewall) and Joanne Senecal (Winnipeg) officiated at The National Women’s Under 18 Championship in Morden and Winkler from November 5th to 8th. Amy Martin was given the honour of refereeing in the Gold Medal game between Team Ontario Red and Team Saskatchewan.

–  Amy Martin is a level IV official,  transitioning to a Level V official, Amy currently officiates Canada U Sports, M-AAA and the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League.

– Joanne Senecal is a Level III official, transitioning to a Level IV official with experience lining in Canada U-Sports, M-AAA and the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League. This was Joanne’s first time lining at the National Women’s U-18 Championship.

Hockey Manitoba would also like to acknowledge Ben Croker (Brandon) and Amy Martin who attended Hockey Canada high performance officiating seminars this past weekend in Montreal. Ben attended the Level 6 seminar while Amy Martin attended the Level 5 seminar. Level 6 is the highest level for male referees in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program. Male officials that obtain Level 6 certification become eligible to receive assignments at designated IIHF competition (i.e. Memorial Cup, RBC Cup, Allan Cup, Hardy Cup, University Cup, CCAA finals, world championships, Olympics, FISU Games) Level 5 is the highest level of certification for female referees in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program. Female officials that obtain Level 5 Certification also become eligible to receive international assignments with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

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Hockey Manitoba is proud to announce that it will be launching its #ThankTheStripes initiative again this season in an effort to recognize, acknowledge and show support to our 1,600+ on-ice officials from across the province.  December 6-8, 2019 has been identified as the weekend to promote this initiative, and we are asking leagues, associations and all members to actively get engaged!