Hockey teams and associations across the surrounding areas took part in Hockey Saskatchewan’s “Thank Stripes Weekend” from January 24 to 26, showing their appreciation for the hardworking officials who kept the game running smoothly.
The initiative, organized by Hockey Saskatchewan’s Officiating Development Program, encouraged teams, players, and fans to recognize the dedication of referees and linesmen, who were often the unsung heroes of the game. With nearly 3,000 officials working across the province, their contributions were essential to ensuring fair play and sportsmanship at all levels of hockey.
Langenburg Minor Hockey Association shared: “This weekend marked Hockey Sask’s annual #thanksstripes celebration. It was an opportunity for us to say THANK YOU to all of our officials and give them recognition. LMHA gave each local official a small token to show our appreciation. Langenburg is very lucky to have as many dedicated officials (Youth and Adult) who do everything they can to make sure they call a safe and fair game. If you saw any of our officials at the rink, we hope you took a moment to thank them, buy them a coffee, or show your appreciation in any way.”
Churchbridge Minor Sports shared: “Hockey Saskatchewan ‘Thank Stripes Weekend January 24-26’—A day late, but a big thank you to the officials of Churchbridge Minor Hockey!!! One of the toughest and most underappreciated jobs out there was being a minor hockey league official. The next time you are at a rink, please take a moment to thank an official; it is very much appreciated and goes a long way in keeping people involved with officiating. Thank you to Kaitlyn Sauser for her time working with the Churchbridge Officials this season as well, also very much appreciated. Thank you to these businesses and people for donating to the officials’ gift bags: Churchbridge Credit Union, Grain Millers, Legacy Coop, Yorkton Boston Pizza, Mosaic, Kaminski Arena, Justin Kornaga, Ron Sopko, Brent Melnyk.”
Officials across the region appreciated the effort, noting that recognition went a long way in encouraging more individuals to take up officiating.
Hockey Saskatchewan also encouraged the use of the hashtag #ThanksStripes on social media, with many teams from the region sharing photos and messages of appreciation online.
The event served as a reminder of the importance of respect for officials at all levels of the game. With ongoing efforts to recruit and retain referees, initiatives like Thank Stripes Weekend played a crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive hockey community.
Local hockey organizers hoped that this tradition would continue to grow, ensuring that officials always felt respected and valued for their efforts on the ice.