Linesman Matt Williams, who is working games in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League and the BC Hockey League this season, has been hired by the American Hockey League.
Matt, 27, has been lining VIJHL games for 12 years and will continue to do so. He lives in the Comox Valley and has been officiating since he was 12 years old.
“The VIJHL is pleased the share the news that Matt Williams has been hired by the American Hockey League to work as a linesperson. Matt was one of five VIJHL officials that was invited to attend the NHL Officiating Combine this past summer,” notes Carl Poole, VIJHL Director of Officials and Player Safety. “Matt is an extremely dedicated official and has put in a lot of work to continue to improve his craft. Matt is a leader amongst the island officials with his hardwork, determination, and discipline. Matt’s hiring reinforces that the VIJHL and the BCHL is the leading path for officials looking to move to professional hockey in BC and on the Island. I am very proud of Matt for this accomplishment.”
Matt, now 27, states “Since the VIJHL has gone independent the league, and its officiating staff have dramatically changed, Carl Poole has done a superb job building a driven team and supported all of us. I’m happy to say I’m a veteran official in this league and working with Carl has been fantastic for my development as an official but also as a person, I’m looking forward to continuing to skate at this level and working with Carl and all my colleagues.”
Brad Lazarowich, a former NHL official and now Vice President of Hockey Operations and head of the Officiating Department of the BCHL, adds “The BCHL officiating team would like to congratulate Matt on this well-deserved opportunity. Matt is one of the top-rated linespersons in our league and was recently scouted at the NHL Officiating Combine where he made a positive impression with both the NHL and AHL.
“This hiring highlights how important it is for our program to ensure our officials are given every opportunity to accomplish their goals.”
