OHL officiating staff head north for NOJHL Showcase
The Ontario Hockey League’s search for the next generation of officials extends to Northern Ontario this week as the 2026 NOJHL Showcase gets underway in Sudbury.
Members of the OHL’s officiating staff will be on hand at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on Tuesday and Wednesday, continuing a growing relationship with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League focused on identifying and developing up-and-coming officials from across the North.
“The NOJHL Showcase is a great opportunity for us to get into Northern Ontario and see some of the young officials who are coming through the system,” said OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Haché. “There are talented officials throughout the North, and being able to see them work in this environment, connect with them and identify people who may have the potential to take that next step is really valuable for us.”
The Showcase brings all 11 NOJHL member clubs together in one location, with St. Andrew’s College joining the event for the second consecutive year to complete the 12-team field. A total of 12 games will be played over two days, with each counting toward the NOJHL regular season standings.
This week’s presence in Sudbury follows recent discussions between Haché and NOJHL Director of Officials Stacy Jackson as the two leagues look to continue strengthening their relationship on the officiating side.
“We had a great meeting with Stacy a few weeks ago and came away really encouraged by the direction we’re heading together,” added Haché. “Stacy does an excellent job with the officials in the NOJHL and there’s a real commitment on both sides to creating opportunities and strengthening that development pathway. We want young officials in Northern Ontario to know there’s a path to the OHL, and maintaining a strong relationship with Stacy and the NOJHL is an important part of that.”
Northern Ontario has long provided a development ground for players pursuing opportunities in the OHL, and the Showcase will once again draw attention from scouts and hockey operations personnel evaluating talent from across the region.
The event also provides the OHL with an opportunity to extend that development focus beyond the players and identify officials capable of progressing through the junior hockey ranks.
The OHL entered the 2026-27 season with a 108-member officiating team consisting of 40 referees and 68 linespersons. Fifteen officials are making their OHL debuts this season, including four referees and 11 linespersons.
The new group has an average age of just over 23, continuing the league’s emphasis on identifying and developing officials with the potential to advance through the OHL and into higher levels of hockey.
The NOJHL Showcase began Tuesday morning and continues through Wednesday evening at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex. All 12 games are available live and on demand on FloHockey.
