Saturday, October 23, 2010

SJHL OFFICIALS TO WORK WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE

Press Release

Not only will the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League be represented at the World Junior “A” challenge with players on the ice carrying the Canada West colours, but the league will also be represented by two men who will serve on the officiating crew.

Hockey Canada has selected Moose Jaw’s Lyle Wilhelm to serve as the referee-in-chief for the event that runs next month in Penticton, BC while Sean Dufour has been chosen to be one of the tournament’s referees.

Wilhelm has supervised many past national championships and was named Hockey Canada’s official of the year in 2005. He has been involved with the game of hockey as a player, coach, administrator and a level Vl official. As a former SHA Referee-in-Chief for nine years, Lyle was awarded a Life Membership with the SHA Referees Division.

Sean Dufour has been working as a referee for the last eight years. He participated as a linesman at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship, but this will be the first major event he has been a part of when wearing the orange armband.

The announcement of Wilhelm and Dufour to the World Junior “A” Challenge is something that leaves the SJHL’s director of officials smiling.

“The selection of both Lyle and Sean confirms Saskatchewan and the SJHL have some of the top referees in Canada,” Tracy Cook said. “To have two of our people involved in a major event like this is another feather in our cap. I’m very proud to be associated with both gentlemen.”

The World Junior “A” challenge will run from November 8-14. The players that will make up the Canada West roster will be released soon.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: