It pays to value the work of referees. Caroline Ouellette understood this and applied it during the two most recent women’s hockey tournaments that bear her name.
The former forward teamed up with Stephanie Campbell, supervisor-head of the women’s provincial elite officials program to introduce the girls to officiating.
“For three years, the Caroline Ouellette Celebration has been refereed entirely by women, proudly announces the quadruple Olympic champion, whose tournament brought together 91 teams in December. It’s important for girls to see that there is a future for them after playing, like coaching or refereeing.”
The event also offers female hockey players the chance to experience being coaches during the Celebration, under the supervision of mentors, many of whom work at CEGEP.
Last year, 10 players were introduced to refereeing and nine concluded the campaign as officials. This season, of the 51 referees present, nine were rookies and seven want to continue the adventure.
Referee Mégane Beaudoin during the Caroline Ouellette Celebration finals, at the Bell Center in Montreal, on December 18, 2022.
Photo Arianne Bergeron
College from the first season
One of them is Mégane Beaudoin. The 20-year-old student at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke in primary education was hooked.
“I really liked it. I ended up playing more than 40 games since December, at all levels, up to women’s college D1, underlines the former university player. I liked the teamwork.”
The one who admits to having “bawled a lot against the referees” when she was playing, had to learn to live with the reactions of coaches and parents.
“That’s what I found the most difficult, keeping my cool, not getting on my nerves.”
Free equipment
In addition to receiving basic equipment at the Celebration (helmet, visor, sweater, pants and whistle – valued at approximately $300) and training from Hockey Québec, Mégane Beaudoin was able to count on the support of mentors on the rink during his first games.
“It’s harder than it looks, but we adapt really well and it helps to have shadow on the ice for a reference. Mentors talk to us, advise us and reassure us. It’s accelerated learning.”
“They talk to them throughout the game and it allows you to learn and gain confidence, remarks Caroline Ouellette. Mentors can also intervene to ensure that the right decisions are made during the tournament, so that matches are refereed fairly.
Mentor Marie-Ève Couture advises young referee Sophie Cadotte during the Caroline Ouellette Celebration, December 18, at the Bell Centre.
Photo Arianne Bergeron
Understanding Coaches
By participating in this tournament, the coaches agree to respect the officials and we have to admit that it works.
“It is certain that the referees will make mistakes, young or old. Coaches are asked to be patient, because mistakes happen at all levels, whether at M9, university or professional. It’s part of the game, we are all human. And players and coaches will also make mistakes, so it’s normal that officials make mistakes sometimes, “said the future member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
This program, as well as the one at the Belairdirect Cup in May, allows players to live the experience of putting on a striped sweater in a safe environment.
“Parents sometimes have fears, especially for the youngest, because they are thrown into the bath, explains Stéphanie Campbell. But the fact that there is supervision is enormously reassuring for the parents, but also for the official. Even for less young referees!”
▶ Among the other initiatives of Hockey Québec, which will add a recruitment and retention coordinator to its officials department, there are the referee advisors, who accompany newcomers on the ice and guide them during games. Some regions would also like to emulate other provinces and ensure underage rookies and officials wear armbands so parents, coaches and players can identify them.