CANORA -“I’ve worked some really good events, but this is definitely the tops.”
For the past decade or so, Tarrington Wyonzek has had the privilege of being an on-ice official for a number of important hockey events, but when asked during an interview last week with Canora Courier, he agreed there was something special about being chosen for the recent World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax and Moncton, and then working the final game for the gold medal.
Wyonzek of Regina is the grandson of Henry and Anne Wyonzek of Canora and Victor and Vickie Puchala of Yorkton (formerly of Rhein), and son of Pat and Karen Wyonzek..
He heard the good news in November when he got a phone call from Hockey Canada, relaying the message, “Congratulations, you’ve been selected for Worlds Juniors this year.”
Wyonzek had applied in the summer to get an IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) officiating license, makes him eligible to be selected for international events.
“I was super excited when I got the news,” said Wyonzek. “I got to work at World Juniors in Edmonton during COVID-19 restrictions, but this was really exciting to be able to work this one in front of fans.”
He said working in Edmonton as a linesman was still very special, as being on the ice with the best junior hockey players in the world was still an intensely gratifying experience. But there was something special when the fans came back for this year’s tournament.
“I worked seven games, in total; four in the round robin, the quarter-final, semifinal and the final. The tournament was very successful. Halifax and Moncton were the host cities. Almost every game was sold out whether Canada was playing or not.”
The Canadian team looked like anything but gold medal contenders at the start of the tournament after an opening game loss against Finland. But that turned out to be the host country’s only loss of the tournament, as they went on to claim the gold medal in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win against Team Czechia in Halifax.
Wyonzek said it was a special thrill to be part of that Jan. 5 contest.
“The rink in Halifax was sold out, 11,200 fans, it was awesome,” he recalled. “It had everything one would expect for a World Junior gold medal game in Canada, it was electric.”
Something that made the experience even more memorable for Wyonzek was having his dad Pat there in person
“It was incredible- it was super special to share that with him. During the pandemic restrictions he never got to see me work in the U.S at all. Having him support me like that, it meant the world.”
Something the younger Wyonzek enjoys about working at World Juniors and other tournaments is the people he meets.
“I have worked a few international tournaments. It’s nice being on the ice with some of those friends again, plus I had the chance to meet new friends and work with other on-ice officials from around the world, who had sacrificed so much for the opportunity to be there. That’s a big part of it for me.”
Whether he’s working the gold medal game at World Juniors in Halifax, or a game of 10 year-old kids on a Saturday morning in Canora or Yorkton, Wyonzek always keeps in mind that it’s very important to the players on the ice.
“You have to be dialed in and focussed, and serve the game well, do a good job for the players, so it’s played fair and safe, and the players get to show their skills.”
After being chosen for such an important international assignment, Wyonzek is optimistic that this could lead to bigger and better opportunities as an on-ice official in the future.
“I really hope so, maybe I can work the men’s world championships or the Olympics. I’m a competitive guy; I want to work the best hockey I can.”
In addition to living in Regina and having a full-time job off the ice, Wyonzek is presently officiating in three different leagues. He’s a referee in the SJHL (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League), a referee and linesman in the WHL (Western Hockey League), and a linesman in the AHL (American Hockey League).
“Doing both linesman and referee is fun, it brings in different elements such as dealing with coaches, it, keeps you on your toes.”
Wyonzek’s resume includes working the NHL Prospect Tournament, the World Under-18 Tournament, and the Memorial Cup, which brings together major junior players involving teams from the WHL, OHL (Ontario Hockey League) and QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).
Tarrington and his younger brother Tannum grew up in Yorkton, but spent quite a bit of time in Canora as well. Both worked at the Canora Golf Course during the summers until they decided to focus more intently on their officiating careers.
Each played minor hockey, and Tarrington had the memorable experience of playing for the Canora midget team which won a provincial championship.
But the Wyonzek brothers each eventually decided they likely weren’t going to make it as professional hockey players. They chose to focus on becoming on-ice officials to stay involved in the game.
