A Summerland referee, who has officiated games in multiple hockey leagues, was the sole linesman from the Western Hockey League chosen to participate in the Memorial Cup.

Dustin Minty has been a referee in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and a linesman in the Western Hockey League for the past 12 years.

He worked his first Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup in May and early June.

鈥淚t was an unreal experience and quite a big achievement,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely nothing like I鈥檝e experienced before. It was an honour to be selected for the Memorial Cup then the championship game was a huge way to finish the season.鈥�

The Memorial Cup is awarded annually to the championship of the Canadian Hockey League and involves competition among champions of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League.

The 2024 edition of the tournament saw the Saginaw Spirit defeat the London Knights in the finals. Both teams are in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League and the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League also participated.

Minty said this is the second year he has worked with the Western Hockey League final. He has worked with the conference finals several times.

He said experience on the ice has helped him prepare for this year鈥檚 hockey championship. 

鈥淓very hockey game that we do is going to give us help with future games,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are different situations that come up that are always going to benefit you later on.鈥�

He is hoping to be an official at this level in the future.

鈥淭he hockey is amazing,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is a full week of round-robin games and every game means something.鈥�