By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – For 24 years, the Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program has been identifying prospective officials through the Most Promising Official Award, and several have gone on to have very successful provincial, national, international, and even professional careers. The criteria for the Most Promising Official Awards is simple: a younger official recognized as being the most promising to advance to higher levels of hockey. The 2023-24 class fits well into that group of past winners, as there is no shortage of potential for all four officials selected for the award to go on to exciting things within officiating in the future.

---

(Zone 1) Brody Walter – Weyburn

Brody started officiating at 10 years old and, after turning 17 in April, he has already made a mark on the Officiating Development Program. Brody attended the Sask First Under-16 (U16) camp for the past two seasons and went on to be selected for the U16 Top 80 Tournament the first year and the Under-18 tournament the next season. Brody earned the 'A' final game this season, despite officiating at a level he himself still plays at. Brody’s progression as an official has shown through as one of the top skaters among his peers. He has a great attitude and commitment to officiating and has the potential to move up to new leagues and challenges next season and into the future.

(Zone 2) Megan Long – Regina

Megan has just three seasons under her belt with the Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program, but when she first entered the scene, she was noticed as someone with a high level of potential. It may make sense since she also plays at the university level, which shows in her skating ability and hockey knowledge, as well as being very coachable and driven to improve and be successful. This season, Megan was selected for her second-straight Esso Cup (national championship) and did the lines for the gold medal game. With a busy school and hockey schedule, she does her best to officiate as many hockey games as possible and has continued to impress and develop each game she works.

(Zone 3) Ben King – Moose Jaw

Ben is another official who has had to balance school, hockey playing, and officiating schedules. This season, he was able to attend the Sask First U16 camp and was selected for the U16 Top 80 Tournament where he was selected to ref the gold-medal game. Ben brings a great attitude to the rink and has a bright future ahead of him as he plans to move away for university next season and have more time to commit to officiating. Ben is a strong skater and certainly leads by example on the ice and in the dressing room with his fellow officials and will earn future opportunities as an official who just wrapped up his seventh season in stripes.

(Zone 4) Zackary Walker – Yorkton

Zack was invited to the Saskatchewan Officiating School of Excellence in September and impressed the assignors and league directors that weekend. From there, he wasn’t promised anything except for an opportunity to work some early season Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Under-18 AAA games. Zack took that opportunity and ran with it, working the full season in both leagues and establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the east region of the province. After moving to Yorkton from Alberta 3 years ago, he has made a name for himself on the ice and continues to show a lot of promise at the age of 21.

---