VANCOUVER ISLAND JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Officials Announced For VIJHL
July 31, 2024 – The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce they have a total of 39 individuals committed to officiate games in the 11- team league for the 2024-2025 season, which starts in the first week of September.
The number of officials is much higher than last season, as the VIJHL is in its first year as an Independent Junior Hockey League, in alliance with the BCHL. A number of BCHL officials have agreed to work VIJHL games this season.
“We are tremendously pleased to have such a large number of officials on board for this season,” says VIJHL Board Chair Shawn Vincent. “We are excited about the calibre of officiating, and that we are able to provide an opportunity for our officials to be mentored and equipped through our league play to move up to even higher levels of hockey.”
Director of Officials and Player Safety Carl Poole was in charge of recruiting officials. A Port Alberni resident, Carl is well respected in Vancouver Island hockey circles, serving as Supervisor for the BCHL from 2022-2024, and for the VIJHL from 2021-2023. Carl is a Level 5 official who refereed in the VIJHL (1997-2000), BCHL (1997-2014) and the Western Hockey League (2006-2010).
The VIJHL’s rule book will mirror that of the BCHL, which modeled their regulations after the NCAA Division 1 rule book in their first year of independence last season.
“I am really excited to be working with a dynamic groups of officials,” says Carl. “I feel the roster is very well balance with young and veteran officials that are committed to improving their officiating skills and give the VIJHL the best officiating possible. I look forward to a great year on the ice with this crew.”
The officials are Keagen Abbott, Shayne Allyward, Adam Barish, Ben Barta, Johnny Bennett, Steve Bratt, Steven Brown, Matt Caillet, Marko Casavant, Brady Casparie , Joshua Chernoff, Ryan Devries, Reid Ellingson, Braiden Epp, Chris Ferguson, Tyler Fraser, Shayne Heinekey , Holly Henderson, Kyle Infanti, Thomas Jeffrey, Bryan Kelly, Cole McGuire, Evan McKinnon, Braden McKenzie, Rod Pick, Jassy Qiu, Liam Reid, Mack Sanderson, Holden Schneider, Kylie Scott, Aiden Small, Nolan Sutter, Joshua Taylor, Seth Wall, Liam Waugh, Matt Williams, Kelby Wittich, Anthony Windsor and Jordan Wood.
The VIJHL season opens on September 5, with exhibition games starting late in the second week of August.
Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League – 111 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5L9