Dear Editor: Jasper is lucky to have a location that people, including hockey teams, are willing to flock to for the scenery and the mountain experience. 

Each winter, our arena hosts numerous hockey tournaments because we have available ice time on the weekends. It’s a luxury that teams from many other communities—especially those from larger municipalities and cities—don’t have. 

Each tournament brings dollars to our local businesses. This is especially important during shoulder seasons, like November, but the economic boost is welcomed throughout the winter. 

However, that business is currently in jeopardy, because we have a shortage of referees to serve these visiting teams. If they can’t come, that equates to hundreds of empty hotel rooms and several hundred restaurant meals that Jasper businesses miss out on.  

While ice time is available, referees are not. This past weekend (Nov 1/2), we had only two games with local teams and because of a variety of reasons, we were not able to provide a full complement of referees. The next three weekends, we have eight-game, nine-game and 12-game tournaments—plus the regular games for our local teams.  We will struggle to provide sufficient referees.  

We do have some referees in town, but not all of them are available to officiate up to four games a day! Some are coaches or parents and cannot referee games where their children are playing. Many of our young officials also play the game, and their team may be out of town for a weekend tournament. Others travel on occasion and are not available.  

Refereeing is a rewarding experience. One official who started last year said: “I can speak from experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed refereeing and linesman duties way more than I thought I would.” 

Opportunity knocks

I would encourage all adults in the community that are able to lace on a pair of skates and who have some understanding of the game, to register for the Jasper Referee Clinic on December 5, 2025. 

For further information check the link above or contact myself, our local Referee-In-Chief, at 780-852-4611.  

Teams may cease to come to Jasper for tournaments in the future, as it is cost prohibitive for teams to bring officials from Edmonton to cover games in Jasper.

That would be a blow to our local economy, and by extension, our community.  

Fred Kreiner,
Jasper

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