By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – Hockey Saskatchewan’s Officiating Development Program (ODP) continues to prioritize the development of officials and support their advancement through the officiating pathway. Each season, the program recognizes four officials with the Most Promising Official Award, presented to younger officials who demonstrate the potential to advance to higher levels of hockey.

The provincial recognition alternates annually between northern Zones 5 through 8 and southern Zones 1 through 4. The four award winners have also been nominated as Saskatchewan’s representatives for Hockey Canada’s Most Promising Official Award.

Hockey Saskatchewan is pleased to recognize the 2025-26 recipients and looks forward to following their continued development within the officiating pathway.

The ODP congratulates the four zone winners and wishes them continued success in their officiating careers.

(Zone 1) Matthew Dutchak – Weyburn

Matthew Dutchak has steadily progressed through the minor hockey ranks in recent seasons and was rewarded with several league playoff and provincial assignments during the 2025-26 season. His strong performance also earned him his Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) debut. Now 23 years old, Dutchak began officiating in 2016 and continues to play senior hockey as a goaltender while remaining active as an official throughout Weyburn and the surrounding area. A product of the strong mentorship and support network within the local officiating community, Dutchak has consistently demonstrated that he is ready for new opportunities and increased responsibility. His growth and commitment to development position him well for continued advancement in the years ahead.

(Zone 2) Cole Breitkreuz – Regina

At just 22 years old, Cole Breitkreuz has already established himself as one of Saskatchewan’s top young officials. Breitkreuz currently works in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), and several other high-performance leagues throughout the province. During the 2025-26 season, he was selected to work the Under-18 AAA TELUS Cup West Regional Championship in Regina as a linesperson and earned an assignment as a referee at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. He also received an invitation to Hockey Canada’s Men’s West Officiating Program of Excellence camp. Known for his skating ability and strong presence on the ice, Breitkreuz was identified early in his officiating career as an official with significant potential. Since then, he has continued to meet those expectations while steadily advancing through the officiating pathway.

(Zone 3) Diezel Paulhus – Swift Current

Diezel Paulhus first made an impression at Sask First development camps several years ago and has continued to build on that momentum. His performance and commitment to development earned him a position in the Saskatchewan Male Under-18 AAA Hockey League this season, where he also received his first playoff assignment as a linesperson. Coming from a family with a strong officiating background and benefiting from the leadership and support available in Swift Current, Paulhus has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an official with a bright future. Despite having just turned 17 years old last month, Paulhus has already earned opportunities to work some of the province’s highest levels of hockey and appears well-positioned for continued advancement.

(Zone 4) Jaxon Geisler – Balcarres

Jaxon Geisler was called upon to work Junior B, Junior C, and Senior hockey as a linesperson during the 2025-26 season, stepping into those opportunities with confidence and maturity beyond his years. At just 16 years old, Geisler successfully balanced his responsibilities as both an active hockey player and official while travelling throughout eastern Saskatchewan to work games. He consistently made the most of each opportunity and demonstrated an ability to adapt quickly to higher levels of competition. Having recently completed his fourth season as an official, Geisler has already established a strong foundation and appears poised for continued success in the years ahead.

About OFFICIATING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program (ODP) is committed to enhancing officiating standards across all levels of hockey in the province. Through recruitment, education, and support, opportunities are provided for officials to excel and contribute to the vibrant hockey community in Saskatchewan. Visit the program's webpage at www.hockeysask.ca for additional information, and follow on X [@HockeySask_ODP] for updates.