The Ref's Room Ref of the Month - December 2019
The Ref's Room Ref of the Month for December 2019 is Graedy Hamilton!
Graedy Hamilton, hailing from Duncan, BC, got his start officiating minor hockey when in 2014 at the age of 14.
Since then, he has wasted no time rapidly climbing the officiating ranks at a pace that is truly remarkable.
From those humble beginnings with the Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association, Graedy's next step was into BC Hockey's High Performance Officiating Program.
It was there that Graedy starting working Jr B games on Vancouver Island, as a linesman in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) at the young age of 16.
Graedy's ascent continued the following season, when in 2017 he was hired to work games in the BCHL at the age of 17.
Now working as a referee, he has even managed to rack up a number of Hockey Canada assignments.
Graedy was selected to referee at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta, giving him big game experience as well as exposure to scouts from the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Hamilton came back from a strong showing at the Canada Winter Games, and managed to go on a long playoff run in the BCHL last season.
At the ripe age of 18, he was tasked with refereeing deep into the 3rd round of the BCHL playoffs where he was up to the task every night.
After a summer appearance in Calgary, at Hockey Canada's Officiating Program of Excellence Summer Select Camp, Graedy was hired by the WHL as a Trainee Referee for the 2019-2020 season.
This past month Graedy was one of the referees selected by Hockey Canada to officiate at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat, Alberta & Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Typically Trainee Referees in the WHL are only given pre-season games, in an effort to prepare them for full-time status the following season.
Graedy bucked that trend as well, working his 1st regular season game in the WHL this past weekend between the Vancouver Giants & Spokane Chiefs!
This truly puts him in elite company, as one of the youngest ever referees in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)! NHL referee Francis Charron and former WHL referee Pat Smith are the only other referees we are aware of to have accomplished this feat in the past.
The sky is truly the limit for Graedy in his officiating career. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments thus far Graedy, and best of luck this season!
What Referee Gear is in his Bag?
Graedy chooses to spend his "fun coupons" on the following gear:
Helmet - CCM Res 300 Helmet
Visor - CCM Straight Pro Cut Visor
Elbow Pads - None 😲
Shin Pads - CCM SG90 Shin Pads
Whistle - Acme Thunderer Matte Black Whistle
Pants - Stevens Pro Padded Referee Pants
Skates - Bauer Supreme MX3
Shin Tights - BC Hockey Shin Tights
Padded Shirt - Bauer Protective Shirt
Under Shirt - The Ref's Room Under Armour Performance T-Shirt
Know someone that should be featured as the Ref of the Month? Send us an email to nominate a fellow official for future Ref of the Month features!
Nanny Smith
We are so proud of this young man, and everything he does. He’s very humble and thoughtful. He takes the time to help anyone he can, on or off the ice. He knows the rules of the game and sometimes it seems like he has eyes in the back of his head. Very good at scanning the ice and makes calls accordingly. Thank you for writing such a nice article. (Signed, another biased Grandma)
Nanny S
Gramma H and I are so proud of our Grandson. He learned to skate before he went to school. Grampy S would take him and his sister during parent and child time when Mom and Dad had to work. He loved it and was a fast learner. He played hockey when he was old enough and played Rep hockey when he was old enough. Wore many ‘C’s over the years. At 14 he decided to try Reffing too. Loved it right from the start. Spent many hours at the rink playing the game or Reffing it. Reffed his first official WHL game in Langley, BC in Early December at age 19. Not a trainee anymore. Very humble and hardworking young man who keeps fit and always hungry to learn more about the game. Always takes the time to talk to, or help the younger up and coming Refs. Thank you for the great article. Gramma H isn’t the only ‘biased’ Grandparent. We, Nanny and Gramp S also share that honour.
Mark Sorenson
I have witnessed Graedy rise over the past 5 years. His accomplishments have happened very quickly. He is a humble young man that is a great role model for young officials. Graedy is also willing to help younger officials and is open to answering questions. Congratulations and there is many more milestones to come.
Sandra Murphy
What a great accomplishment for him. Here in Nova Scotia we congratulate him too. Way to go Bradey !! We are all proud of you !!
Gramma H
This young man is truly remarkable…even though I’m biased!…every game is a challenge to be his best. He makes us so proud of his talent for refereeing ,and all the things he does, on and off ice… he’s truly special!…thanks for a wonderful article!