WHL Alumni Spotlight – Referee Kyle Rehman

The Western Hockey League is best known as one of the world’s finest development leagues that produces many of hockey’s elite players.
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rYet, the WHL is also one of the best leagues for developing officials.
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rMany officials in the NHL got their start and developed their skills working in the WHL before moving on to the professional ranks.
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rKyle Rehman spent five years as a referee in the WHL, and was named the WHL’s Top Official in 2005-06. Now, he’s advanced to the professional ranks and recently saw his first action as a referee at the NHL level, calling a game in Tampa Bay, FLA, between the Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers.
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r“It was a night I’ll never forget, that’s for sure,” said Rehman, who officiated in the WHL from 2002 to 2007. “What made it really cool was that the three guys I worked the game with were all old WHL officials too – Mick McGeough, Vaughan Rody and Jay Sharrers – it made it special.
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r“My parents were there, too, and with the game involving the Oilers – a team I followed, growing up – made it even better,” said the 29-year-old Calgary, AB, native.
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rRehman is just one of many NHL officials who gained valuable experience and knowledge during their time in the WHL. Current NHL referees including Tom Kowal, Brad Meier and Kelly Sutherland are among former WHL officials to have reached the highest level in the profession.
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rRehman says the experience he had as a WHL official, and the training he received through the WHL’s Officiating Development Program played a paramount role in helping him get to the professional level.
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r“For me, personally, the transition to the American Hockey League and to the NHL has been relatively smooth,” said Rehman. “A lot of the credit has to go to the Western Hockey League, from the players, the coaches, and the feedback we get from the Officiating Supervisors.
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r“The coaching that we get from (WHL Director of Officiating) Kevin Muench and (Assistant Director) Kevin Acheson and the rest of the supervisors is first-class, and not something you’ll get many other places.
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r“You can’t get any better unless you’re getting good feedback, and the opportunity to officiate really good hockey, and in the WHL you’re getting both of those elements,” he said.
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rJesse Watts
rwhl.ca
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