By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – The Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program (ODP) continues to focus on developing officials and supporting their advancement through the officiating pathway. Each season, the program selects four zone award winners in the category of Most Promising Official. This award recognizes a younger official who shows strong potential to progress to higher levels of hockey.

This season featured a particularly strong group of candidates from Zones 5, 6, 7, and 8, making the selection process highly competitive. The northern zones (5–8) are recognized this year, as the selection alternates each season with the southern zones (1–4). In addition to receiving the award, each of the four winners is also nominated as Saskatchewan’s representative for Hockey Canada’s Most Promising Official Award.

Hockey Saskatchewan is proud to announce the 2024–25 winners and looks forward to seeing what the future holds for these individuals—and for all the officials considered for this honour.

(Zone 5) Jagger Bitz – Warman

Jagger returned to Saskatchewan this season after spending time in the United States as a student-athlete, pursuing golf opportunities. Since returning, the now 20-year-old picked up right where he left off. Bitz rejoined the Officiating Development Program (ODP) and stepped into roles in the AAA and Prairie Junior Hockey League as a linesperson, while also officiating numerous minor hockey games, including Under-15, Under-16, and Under-18 AA levels. He also participated in the Sask First high-performance program, where he was ranked as one of the top officials at the Northern Regional Camp in December. He capped off a strong season by officiating the ‘A’ Final at the Sask First Male Under-18 Tournament in April.

(Zone 6) Sawyer Harasymchuk – Saskatoon

Before turning 19, Sawyer was accepted to attend the Hockey Saskatchewan Member High Performance (MHP) Camp. He made a strong impression and earned his MHP certification this season. It was also his first year lining games in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), where he worked 30 games, including playoff matchups. In addition to his on-ice work, Sawyer contributed to the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association as an official coach, helping to mentor the next generation of referees and linespersons. Now in his seventh season as an official, Sawyer has continued to impress league administrators and officiating coaches alike, making him a deserving recipient of his zone’s Most Promising Official Award.

(Zone 7) Michael Durant – Battlefords

Durant was also selected to complete his Member High Performance (MHP) level upgrade this season. Turning 25 this month, Durant exemplifies an official who creates opportunities for himself—and it has paid off. Despite living in the Battlefords and preparing to relocate to Regina for RCMP training, he consistently travelled on his own to Saskatoon to meet fellow officials and head north for SJHL games over the past two seasons. He has now worked 30 SJHL games and regularly officiates Under-18 AAA and Senior games as both a referee and linesperson. With his new career path potentially changing his home base once again, there is strong confidence within the Officiating Development Program (ODP) that, regardless of location, Durant will continue to grow as an official and earn opportunities to work some of the top hockey in the province.

(Zone 8) Griffin Johns – Prince Albert

Griffin, a strong young prospect from Prince Albert, had an impressive season. This year marked his rookie campaign on the lines in both the SJHL and PJHL, as well as his first season refereeing in the Under-18 AAA league. Griffin turned 18 in March, and less than a month later, he was selected to officiate the Sask First Male Under-18 ‘A’ Final in Regina. He has also shown a commitment to his development, applying to attend the Western Hockey League’s officiating development camp this summer. Griffin has arrived at the past two Sask First tournaments in excellent shape, demonstrating a strong willingness to learn and to be the best version of himself as an official.

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.