Referee Steve Papp Honoured with WHL Milestone Award

Prior to last night's game between the Kelowna Rockets and the Prince George Cougars, Western Hockey League (WHL) referee Steve Papp was honoured with the WHL Milestone Award.

This award is presented to WHL referees once they have officiated a total of 650 games in the league.  This is a well deserved honour due to the enormous travel requirements, and personal sacrifice required to work as a referee in the WHL.

Papp is currently in the 16th season, 14th as a referee, of a WHL officiating career that began in 2004.

One of the top referees in Canada for many years, Papp has numerous accomplishments to his name.

His WHL officiating career includes 10 trips to the WHL Conference Championships, and 6 trips to the WHL Championship Series.

If that isn't enough, he also made back-to-back appearances at the Memorial Cup in 2017 (Windsor) and 2018 (Regina).

Steve has also had success on the international stage with several International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) officiating assignments.

In 2013, Papp was selected to referee the IIHF World Under-18 Championships in Sochi, Russia. 

With Canada playing in the Gold Medal Game, Steve was selected to work the Bronze Medal Game alongside Rene Hradil (Czech Republic) and linesmen Fraser McIntyre (USA) and Matt Traub (Canada)

In 2014, Papp had the honour of refereeing at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Malmo, Sweden. 

In Malmo, he received the nod to work the Gold Medal Game alongside Daniel Stricker (Switzerland) and linesmen Fraser McIntyre (USA) and Peter Sefcik (Slovakia).

On top of all his accomplishments at the Major Junior and International level, the Kelowna, BC native has also spent time working pro hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Congratulations Steve on receiving the WHL Milestone Award, and on all of your accomplishments in your officiating career thus far!