What started as a part-time job at 14 years old has led to a decade’s-plus worth of memories for Kelson McRobbie.

He began officiating as a way to get more involved in the game. Already a timekeeper and too young to coach, he decided to try out refereeing and has loved it ever since.

McRobbie was selected as part of the officiating crew at the recent OHF U18 AAA Championship in Sault Ste. Marie. The Newmarket native was joined by TJ Hunter as representatives from the OMHA to work the tournament.

“It was the ultimate privilege and it’s a fantastic recognition. There’s so many officials and to have two officials selected to go, and for me to be one of them, it was an honour,” said McRobbie. “I don’t really work for the accolades but I work as hard as I can for myself and all these opportunities seem to fall in place along the way.”

He’s worked his way up the officiating ladder, growing every year in the levels and ages of games. From his first Newmarket House League Championship years ago to the OMHA Championships and the OHF U18 AAs last year, it’s been an upward trajectory for McRobbie.

McRobbie is grateful for the experience of working the OHF Championships and enjoyed the camaraderie he’s built with the other officials. 

“The opportunity to work with elite level officials from other leagues in Ontario and debate day by day the different ways they approach the game and the different minds of thought and building off of that.”

The time spent at the rink has created friends for life, according to McRobbie. He says officiating has been a great way to give back to the community.

“In the same way that you look back on your career as a player you don’t necessarily remember the games you played but you remember the friends you made, it’s the same for the officials.”

Officiating the OHF Championships serves as more motivation for McRobbie to work hard. He aspires to keep working higher levels of hockey, and is open for wherever the journey takes him.

“I have no intention of stopping.”