Ty Skene officiating a WHL game at the Art Hauser Centre last season between the Prince Albert Raiders and Winnipeg ICE. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

PA ref goes international

Local referee selected to work World U17 Hockey Challenge

Nov 7, 2022 | 8:00 AM

It’s been something on his bucket list for quite a long time, and now, he finally gets to cross it off.

Ty Skene has officiated games across Saskatchewan in leagues of all ages. Ranging from minor hockey all the way to the WHL, the Prince Albert product has made a name for himself wearing the black and white stripes.

According to Skene, his journey to the international level began before he reached the age of ten.

“My first officiating clinic was in Birch Hills when I was eight or nine,” he said. “My parents had pushed me to get into it to make some extra pocket change and to keep me skating on nights where I wasn’t playing.”

From there, he said that he worked on his craft all throughout elementary and high school and into university, where he’s set graduate from the University of Saskatchewan next year.

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To help himself get through school while officiating, Skene said that it’s all about finding the balance between them.

“It’s definitely a juggling act, like when people ask me, I always tell them that I’m a full-time referee and a part-time student,” he said laughing. “Regardless of what goes on at school or in your personal life, you need to set that aside the moment you get to the rink and be prepared. For school, you want to things done on time so that you’re not stressed out when you head to rink.”

When asked about when he first heard about being selected to officiate this tournament, he said he was starstruck from the news.

“It’s a tournament I’ve wanted to work for many years,” he said. “When I got the call, it kind of was almost a moment of reflection with all the work and time put in, it seems like its finally starting to pay off. I was really excited and I’m just really grateful for the opportunity.”

Skene went on to say that anyone looking to try out officiating should most definitely give it a try.

“For anyone out there who is considering officiating but isn’t sure it’s for them, all I can say is give it a shot,” he said.

“Right now, with how few officials we have, there has never been more opportunities for advancement. We have a great program in our province where Hockey Saskatchewan puts just as much effort into developing their officials as they do developing their players.”

Skene explained SaskFirst, for example, is a great development event put on by Hockey Saskatchewan each year for officials and players alike to get exposure for advancement to more elite leagues. He said if someone puts their mind to it and put the work in, the opportunities are endless.

The World U17 Hockey Challenge got underway on Nov. 3 in Langley and Delta, BC, and wraps-up Nov. 12.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann