The Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association can now boast the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey AssociationB次元官网网址檚 Official of the Year.

Matyas B次元官网网址淭yB次元官网网址� Martiniuk was awarded with the honour recently. Martiniuk was also the KPMHAB次元官网网址檚 top official this past season.

B次元官网网址淚 regularly work with many deserving officials and think these awards could have gone to a number of them; this was a pretty big surprise to be recognized both at Kerry Park and by VIAHA as Official of the Year,B次元官网网址� Martiniuk said this week.

B次元官网网址淚 remember the impact good officiating had on the games when I played, so I just try to give my best in every game as I owe the players and coaches the effort.B次元官网网址�

KPMHA President Shane Kendall said while there may well be other great officials, Martiniuk stands out.

B次元官网网址淗e demonstrates dedication to the officiating pathway, and has done so in many ways,B次元官网网址� Kendall explained. B次元官网网址淎s a 15-year-old, who completed his third year of officiating, he earned his Level 2 one year before he met the age requirement to do so. This past year saw him officiate games at Kerry Park for KPMHA, U17 CSSHL and he was selected for a VIAHA U21 final.B次元官网网址�

Like AHL/NHL official Graedy Hamilton, who also came through the Kerry Park organization, "he chose to stop playing to pursue officiating so he can skate as many games as possible,B次元官网网址� Kendall said, noting Martiniuk skated in roughly 50 games this year. It's not the choice most referees his age make.

B次元官网网址淗e is a very mature individual for his age, who actively seeks feedback to better himself. For a game that can give most people anxiety, stress, fear and sometimes anger, he is the opposite and rather kind, honest and able to self regulate.B次元官网网址�

Hockey players work hard in all areas of development to improve; Martiniuk does the same for officiating, Kendall said.

"He regularly covers for his officiating partners, both at their lines and getting in the zone to diffuse any hot-spots. Often working games where the players are the same age or older, he is able to take control of the game and not let it get out of hand.B次元官网网址�

WhatB次元官网网址檚 more, even after achieving a higher level of qualification, the young official still gave back to his home association by working minor hockey games both on and off the ice.

B次元官网网址淎side from games, he lead drills during our associationB次元官网网址檚 referee development sessions,B次元官网网址� Kendall noted. B次元官网网址淥ff the ice he acted as a game supervisor to assist our new and younger officials with their development, something the association has greatly benefited from and appreciate those that give back.B次元官网网址�