Regina referee gets call to officiate at World Juniors
The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for one of the best calls of Tarrington Wyonzek's officiating career.
With most of the top leagues on hiatus, Wyonzek was stuck in COVID limbo this fall when Hockey Canada came calling with an opportunity to participate in the world junior championship (Dec. 25-Jan. 5 in Edmonton).
Due to travel restrictions, the tournament will feature an all-canadian officiating crew for the first time.
Wyonzek is among 26 beneficiaries from across the country.
“This was a goal of mine ever since I got hired by the Western League,” said the 28-year-old linesman, who lives in Regina.
“It's the same for us as it is the players. It's great to have some of your hard work over the years get noticed and pay off. These are the kinds of things as officials that we work towards. I'm really looking forward to it and I'm just very grateful for the opportunity.”
After six years in the WHL, Wyonzek jumped to the pros last season, earning a one-year contract in the AHL and ECHL.
When those leagues delayed their start dates this year, Wyonzek returned to his roots, working SJHL games until the junior A loop was forced to shut down last month.
Meanwhile, the International Ice Hockey Federation is slated to hold the world juniors inside a “bubble” at Rogers Place.
That plan is proceeding even though Team Canada has been forced to shut down its selection camp in Red Deer for 14 days due to multiple COVID-19 exposures.
The virus could still get the last word on the tournament, but Wyonzek is confident in the protocols that have been established.
“The IIHF has done a lot to make sure they can make this event safe,” said Wyonzek, who is required to quarantine before and after he departs for Edmonton on Dec. 13.
“I think there are going to be some hiccups along the way. Obviously we're kind of seeing that with Team Canada right now. But I'm certain they have some pretty good plans in place as to how they're going to deal with some of these things. I don't see the tournament pausing.”
This is Wyonzek's first world juniors after working two previous international tournaments: The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the world under-18 championship.
“Obviously, at the end of the day, your main goal is to try to make the NHL,” he said.
“But, as for right now, I'm just so focused on world juniors. I don't really have my mind on anything else. The entire world will be watching. I just need to be very focused and go in and have the best possible tournament that I can and go from there.”