SUMMERSIDE – It’s been a year of firsts in Tanner Doiron’s young but growing officiating career.
Doiron was recently awarded his first international assignment – he will work as a linesman for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Nov. 3 to 10 in Saint John and Quispamsis, N.B.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Doiron, who is in his rookie campaign patrolling the lines in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “When I got the call, it was a surreal moment.” But it didn’t take Doiron long to provide an answer.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it,’” he added.
Paul Matte, who is in his first season as manager of officiating for Hockey P.E.I., said it “means a lot” for the provincial association to have an official appointed to work an international tournament of this calibre.
“The credit is to Tanner and the work he is putting in,” continued Matte. “He’s basically had his nose to the grindstone working hard and taking (officiating) really seriously.
“The results are coming out with his appointment to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and his quick progression through the amateur ranks here on P.E.I., and his selection to this assignment is huge. It’s an IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) assignment, so it will obviously lead to further assignments, I have no doubt.”
Program of Excellence
Doiron, a Level 3 official who has been selected by Hockey P.E.I. to attend a Level 4 clinic in late November, recently attended the Officials Program of Excellence (POE) camp in Dartmouth, N.S.
“Once you get into that program, you are eligible for four years after the program to get Hockey Canada assignments,” noted Doiron, who will travel to Saint John on Thursday.
When asked what he is expecting, Doiron said he is going in with his eyes and ears open.
“I’m just going to go with an open mind like I did at POE, and try to learn lots from Hockey Canada,” said Doiron, who began his officiating career while playing with the Summerside Area Minor Hockey Association. “My goal is to get as many assignments as I can at the top level.”
Matte feels Doiron’s quick progression up the ranks can inspire other aspiring young officials.
“Last year, we had about 28 people working junior hockey on P.E.I., and this year we have upwards of 50,” said Matte. “We are taking on a lot of younger, new recruits and making sure they are given the proper opportunities to develop.
“Tanner, getting all these assignments and his promotion to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, is an example that if you work hard you can really progress quickly at a young age.”
Did You Know
A look at Hockey P.E.I. official Tanner Doiron:
Age: 19.
Parents: Lisa and Garth Doiron.
Brother: Zach, who turns 21 in December.
Home: Schurman’s Point, just outside Summerside.
High School: Graduate of Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside.
University: UPEI business (second year).
Officiating: Works as a linesman in Atlantic University Sport Men’s Hockey Conference, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) and Island Junior Hockey League. Referees in Atlantic University Sport Women’s Hockey Conference, New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League, P.E.I. Major Bantam AAA Hockey League and P.E.I. Midget AAA Hockey League.
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Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
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