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By Caden Fanshaw

MINOR HOCKEY

How PGMHA referees are staying active even without games

Feb 24, 2021 | 4:35 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It’s been an unusual hockey season to say the least, both for hockey players and referees alike.

As they say in sports, you can’t have games without referees, but what happens to the referees when there are no games to ref?

The short answer, ref practice!

Officials have been putting in the reps, practicing signals, brushing up on their rules, and most of all.. Having fun.

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Rob Connelly, Officials Programming Director and the one who runs the ice sessions for the referees says it’s a great chance to help kids stay active and have some fun on the ice.

“We’ve been doing this to help teach the referees skills now that may be able to help them in games, even if those games are sometime next season,” said Connelly.

About a dozen kids were wearing the stripes at ref practice on Monday evening at the RMCA downtown Prince George.

Officials on the ice joked it was a nice peaceful quiet from the sounds of coaches and parents voicing their opinions like they’d hear in a game environment.

Prince George Minor Hockey has been allocating some extra ice to the referees, as some young officials who just began their first season with the stripes have yet to officiate an actual game.

“I am just looking forward to next season so much when hopefully there isn’t COVID around,” said Keagan Connelly, a first-year official who has yet to actually drop the puck in a game.

BC Hockey Officiating leads have been trying to be innovative this season with keeping refs across the province engaged.

Sean Raphel, BC Hockey Referee In-Chief, VP of Programs says they’ve utilized zoom throughout the season to stay connected.

“We have been running trivia games, and helping connect referees in the province with those at higher levels like the BC officials at the World Juniors, and the NHL through zoom.” says Raphael.

Throughout the season, the key word for those in stripes has been to adapt, and be ready for when restrictions could loosen.

BC Health Officials have hinted at a possible spring season for hockey in the province over the last month, although hopes remain high, many refs looking forward to the next hockey season, and one they hope is a lot closer to normal.

Until then, they plan to enjoy and de-stress on the ice, for at least a 60-minute time slot on the ice in the city.

Officiating leads say you can contact Prince George Minor Hockey if you are hoping to get involved in refereeing minor hockey.