RED DEER – Over 90 officials from coast to coast to coast have been selected to attend Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) camps, including 10 Hockey Alberta officials. 

Sixty-one officials were chosen for regional identification camps, with a further 30 attending the National High Performance Selection Camp. Additionally, the Women’s Officiating Program of Excellence is continuing for its second year. 

Alberta officials selected to attend an OPOE camp are Hayley Butz, Alex Homer, Mason Stewart, Cameron Halter, Matthew Lattimer, Jesse Wood-Schatz, Cassidy Brand, Lindsey Ducharme, Jessica Hammer and Emily Hill.  

CJ Senkow, Chair of Hockey Alberta’s Officials Committee, and Colin Watt, Supervisions Coordinator, are officiating coaches for the Men’s West Regional Camp in Calgary September 26-29. 

Notable amongst Albertans listed are Butz, who worked the National Women’s U18 Championship as well as Homer and Stewart who have worked in the Western Hockey League over the last number of seasons. They are attending the National High Performance Camp in Calgary, February 1-4, after a months-long evaluation process. 

“An invitation for the National High Performance Selection Camp represents years of hard work and dedication to the craft of officiating,” said Dan Hanoomansingh, manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “These officials have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and are now ready to join our top group of officials and compete with the best in the world.” 

Upon successful completion of the camp, the officials will join the national high-performance program and compete for Junior A and senior national championships, as well as international assignments. 

The OPOE is the pathway through which Canadian officials are selected for top national and international assignments. Officials enter the OPOE through regional identification camps, based on nominations from their Member programs. 

“We have a lot of top officials in Alberta,” said Brett Kelly, Manager, Member Development for Hockey Alberta. “All 10 individuals have been involved and continue to be influential in the officiating community within our province and they are very deserving selections to participate in these events.” 

Hockey Alberta officials are participating in the following camps: