Aspiring Officials Happy For Camp Invite

Two guys in stripes took big steps this past weekend in their dreams of someday making it to the big leagues.

Ryder VanDeSype and Jacob Michelson were two of 96 who attended the Western Hockey League (WHL) High Performance Officiating Exposure Camp in Calgary. The invitational Camp was to help identify and improve officiating in minor hockey with a view of developing officials for the WHL.

“It felt very special. I had the opportunity to showcase my skills to WHL scouts and all of that,” VanDeSype said.

For VanDeSype the invitation to the camp is a big step to someday officiate in the WHL but hopefully move on to the NHL.

The 16 year old Central Collegiate grade 10 student loves hockey. He initially played hockey but was soon attracted to officiating.

It was an attraction he couldn’t resist.

MOOSE JAW PARTICIPANTS - (L - R) RYDER VANDESYPE AND JACOB MICHELSON

“I started young playing hockey. I saw all of these refs and wanted to be like them one day. So I quit hockey.”

At 16 VanDeSype has been officiating senior men’s, U18 prep and U17 AAA.

But the dream and goal is to officiate at the WHL level and from there the much coveted NHL.

He is well aware of the demands of achieving his dreams go on to state if he makes the ranks of the WHL he’ll need another job to survive.

The advice he received at the camp is invaluable.

“I was told to keep on working and that I’m still young. I was told to keep on working and I’ll get a spot,” he said.

While VanDeSype is a dedicated official 20 year old Jacob Michelson is an active player as well as official.

He is just finishing up playing with the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) where he had a career best 12 goals and 26 assists year in 2025 - 2026.

Before junior hockey he was part of the Prairie Hockey Academy.

This fall he is off Red Deer Polytechnic to play hockey.

Michelson said being invited was a step towards his dream.

He dreams not only playing in the NHL but also someday officiating jt.

“When I first saw I was accepted I was really excited. It’s the path towards the next level,” he said, adding “I want to ref in the NHL one day.”

Michelson got involved in officiating when he was 11 years old as a “side gig to earn extra cash.”

Today it’s a life goal and not just about cash.

He went in to the camp not knowing what to expect but he was impressed with the camp.

“They were very professional, positive and nurturing…they really took time to explain…they told us the work ethic to reach our goals.”

Michelson would even win the strongest skater award for all camp attendees.

“During notes and asking questions I felt it made me a better ref coming out of it.”