REGINA, Sask. – The Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program recognizes four officials each season as the Most Improved Official in their zone. This 2023-24 season, the four award winners were selected from the four south zones: 1 (Southeast), 2 (Regina), 3 (Southwest), and 4 (East). The criteria for the Most Improved Award winners are officials who have shown the most improvement within their officiating calibre. This is not necessarily the best official but the one who has progressed the most through their attendance at clinics, camps, and on-ice efforts. Each of the four zone winners is also nominated for the Saskatchewan representative for the Hockey Canada Most Improved Official, which will be announced in August. Congratulations to all those nominated and congratulations to the four selected winners.

(Zone 1) Ashton Webster – Indian Head

Ashton is 19 years old and started officiating in the 2017-18 season. This season, Ashton worked a few Junior C games and received positive feedback from fellow officials, as well as a provincial assignment. As he gets more opportunities and experience, his confidence on the ice continues to grow, and his development on the ice continues to show.

(Zone 2) Makenna Marton – Regina

Regina is now the winter-season home for Makenna, who is originally from Kipling but has moved for university and continued with her officiating. She worked games in the new Saskatchewan Female Junior Hockey League, as well as the Female Under-18 AAA league this season, and a handful of games in both the male and female Saskatchewan AA leagues, along with dozens of Minor hockey games. Makenna has also taken advantage of the Sask First high-performance program and other camps and tournaments to get reps as an official and coaching, and it showed in her work on the ice this season. Makenna, 19, never played hockey herself but followed in her dad Kevin and sister Mariah’s footsteps, who shared the ice with her for years in Kipling. Both family members have previously won the Hockey Saskatchewan Most Promising Official Award, and her dad has won Most Deserving Official as well. The Marton family can now add a Most Improved Official Award to their trophy case.

(Zone 3) Kyle Nelson – Swift Current

Reportedly, Kyle has come a long way since he first moved to Swift Current from Kyle. The 33-year-old official has worked his way up in the AA and Senior ranks and does a great job. He also helped with mentorship and coaching of the younger group of officials and is always willing to take any game to help out the assignors. Kyle started officiating in 2005 and has been on and off in the program for eight seasons now, and the comfort level and confidence on the ice are showing through as he continues to be a positive example for other officials.

(Zone 4) Marie Klassen – Yorkton

Last season was Marie’s first year wearing the stripes, and also her last season playing hockey. She is just 16 years old but has already attended a Sask First camp and the Female Under-16 Tournament, and like so many officials, the progress from the camp to the tournament was evident for those supervisors watching. Despite her age and limited experience on the ice, Marie portrays a quiet confidence on the ice and earned more and more assignments each season with her commitment to taking the feedback and applying it to her game.

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.