Officials’ Training Camp
Last weekend, the QMJHL held two preparatory camps that brought together 34 referees and 48 linesmen.
Among the diverse items on the agenda were off-ice fitness testing, sessions on game rules and guidelines, analysis of videos on standards and rules application, and communications workshops.
In order to do this, the QMJHL was able to count on the cooperation of Mrs. Dan McCourt and Chris Edwards, NHL referee supervisors, as well as speakers Jean Hébert, NHL referee, and François Bernier from the QMJHL support programme.
QMJHL referee supervisors Jean Morin, Rick Gaudet, Larry Christian, and David Taveroff also hosted different sessions on specific officiating topics.
For the debut of the 2016-2017 season, three new referees are joining the QMJHL’s ranks, as well as two linesmen who are graduating to referee. A former QMJHL referee is making a return after an apprenticeship at the AHL, ECHL level.
The referees are:
Samuel BERNIER # 26
Marc-Antoine CHAGNON # 32
Jesse GOUR # 16
Nicolas LEDUC # 31
Kevin MAILLÉ # 33
Ross WELNER # 35
In the case of referee Nicolas Leduc, it will be a homecoming after spending 5 season with the American Hockey League.
There are seven new linesmen who will be joining the QMJHL:
Christophe BÉLAIR # 98
Nicolas BOIVIN # 50
Kevin FISHER # 93
Jean-Philippe MICHAUD # 45
Christopher PROVOST # 94
Alex ROBICHAUD # 46
Félix SIGOUIN # 77
Note that referees Olivier Gouin and Guillaume Labonté will develop for part of the season working some AHL games.
Recognition
The QMJHL takes advantage of its preparatory camps to emphasize objectives achieved by its officials. Following established criteria, a gift is given to the official who at the end of the 2015-2016 had met specific criteria.
First Game
To underline this goal that they have set in their respective area, the League presented a plaque that reflected the match-up from their very game in the league. The recipients were:
The Referees:
Nicolas COMTOIS # 40
Jonathan GIRARD # 30
Jeff HERON # 11
The Linesmen:
Guillaume BRUNELLE # 81
Nolan CORNISH # 76
Chris IVANKO # 78
Jesse MARQUIS # 83
Matt McCONNELL # 77
Jonathan PARADIS # 91
Philippe PILON # 57
10 years of Service
After completing 10 years of service to the QMJHL, a watch with the league’s logo is presented to the recipient. The following officials merited this honour at the close of the 2015-2016 season.
Tim HAMEL # 19 (referss)
Yanick GAUDREAULT # 64 (linesman)
Maurice LEBLANC # 39 (referee)
Jonathan TRUDEL # 23 (linesman)
20 Years of Service
An official who achieves the remarkable milestone of 20 years of service receives a ring with the QMJHL’s image. This honour was received by the following official:
Marc MUYLAERT # 5
The MasterCard Memorial Cup
Finally, every year, the league likes to cast a spotlight on its participation in the MasterCard Memorial Cup. For the Occasion, a plaque as well as a ring were given to referee Olivier Gouin for his participation and also being selected to referee the final game of the MasterCard Memorial Cup that was held in Red Deer.
We would like to take this opportunity, in the name of all league directors, to congratulate all the officials who merited their honours and met their objectives, and also wish everyone a great 2016-2017 season.
