Ingram awarded Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy as WHL Official of the Year for 2023-24

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Jeff Ingram has been awarded the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy as WHL Official of the Year for the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season.

This is the second time in his career Ingram has been voted WHL Official of the Year. He was last recognized during the 2019-20 season.

Ingram, who hails from Langley, B.C., recently completed his 15th season as a WHL Official, having first skated on a full-time basis during the 2009-10 season.

“It is truly an honour to be this year’s recipient of the Al Paradice Award,” Ingram said. “The list of names I share this recognition with is long and distinguished. I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to be the recipient of this award, not once, but twice in my career.

“I’d like to thank Kevin Muench and our team of officiating coaches – they do a tremendous job with us throughout the season. I’d also like to thank my teammates that I get to hit the ice with every single night. We have a lot of good, young officials that are doing a great job for our league. They’re only going to continue to get better.

“Lastly, of course, I couldn’t do this job without the support of my family. My wife, Blythe, thank you so much for the support at home over the past 15 seasons. That has allowed me to continue this job. To my kids, Landon and Adelyn, seeing you guys behind the glass at a bunch of my games – those are memories I will always cherish.

“It’s truly an honour to work for the Western Hockey League and share the ice with these players that only seem to get more skilled every single season.”

The 38-year-old Ingram has officiated over 700 WHL regular season games and more than 100 WHL Playoff games over his career.

“It is my honour to present this award to Mr. Jeff Ingram,” said Brad Meier, WHL Officiating Development Coach. “On behalf of myself and the Western Hockey League, congratulations on an outstanding 2023-24 season.”

Ingram has established himself as a veteran leader within the WHL Officiating team, having been named to seven consecutive WHL Championship Series (2015-2019, 2022-2023). He remains on the WHL Officiating roster for the 2024 WHL Playoffs, having been assigned to the WHL Conference Championships. Ingram has made two appearances at the Memorial Cup, representing the WHL in 2016 (Red Deer, Alta.) and 2018 (Regina, Sask.).

In November 2022, Ingram was presented with the WHL Milestone Award as recognition for his outstanding achievements.

Ingram’s accomplishments as an official extend beyond WHL ice. Most recently, he was a part of the officiating crew for the 2022 IIHF World Championship. He has also skated at the IIHF World Junior Championship (2019), and IIHF U18 World Championship (2016).

Named in honour of former WHL Referee Allen Paradice, the award recognizes the WHL’s top on-ice official and is voted upon by WHL General Managers.

In addition to his many years of service at the WHL, Paradice refereed a number of large events in Canadian Major Junior hockey, including the 1977 Memorial Cup in Vancouver, B.C. During the 1980s, Paradice served as the WHL’s Western Conference Officiating Supervisor.

Winners of the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy (since 2004)

2023-24: Jeff Ingram
2022-23: Chris Crich
2021-22: Chris Crich
2020-21: Not presented due to COVID-19
2019-20: Jeff Ingram
2018-19: Brett Iverson
2017-18: Brett Iverson
2016-17: Brett Iverson
2015-16: Chris Schlenker
2014-15: Reagan Vetter
2013-14: Nathan Wieler
2012-13: Nathan Wieler
2011-12: Pat Smith
2010-11: Matt Kirk
2009-10: Chris Savage
2008-09: Chris Savage
2007-08: Andy Thiessen
2006-07: Andy Thiessen
2005-06: Kyle Rehman
2004-05: Rob Matsuoka
2003-04: Rob Matsuoka

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.