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NORTH EAST NEWS

2014-2015 SEASON IS APPROACHING FAST!

Some news about the upcoming season.

Hello everyone,

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and we will be getting out feet into our skates and back to the ice for another year of officiating. I would like to welcome all of our returning officials, as
well as our new officials to the new season that is upon us.
We do have some changes that are taking affect this upcoming season, first is the Hockey University, it is a course for new officials to take before attending a clinic. Please use the Hockey
Alberta website (hockeyalberta.ca) and follow the officials tab, it has the link to go to the Hockey University page. Second is clinic fees, there is a small increase in the cost of a clinic when you
register, but also a small increase in the administration fee and insurance. All of these items will be covered in the clinic you attend.

Our clinic season is approaching, with the first being held in Lloydminster August 23rd, the remaining clinics will be on our website, (nezrc.ca) as well as the Hockey Alberta website shortly, so
please check for those and register early. Please note that you need to complete the Hockey University before registering for a clinic for all new officials. Thank you to our staff of instructors who take time away from their personal lives to go up and down Alberta highways teaching officials in all areas of this zone.

We do have a couple of very big events coming to the zone in the next 2 years.

First is the Keystone Cup, which is the Western Canadian Jr B. Championship that will be held in Cold Lake in spring 2015. And second is the RBC (Royal Bank Cup) national Jr A. Championship, which will be held in Lloydminster in spring 2016. Both great events, and great hockey to go and see.

For those that need to attend, our Level 4-5 camp, it will be held September 13th in Vermilion. It is a 1 day class, and we encourage Level 3's to attend that are working in the senior and junior leagues
as well. Would like to congratulate Kurt Caron who has been approved for his Level 5, which was approved by the provincial executive this past June, and to all of the other officials who were approved for upgrades at the AGM this past April.

Well Done!

Congratulations also goes to Chad Marchand (Wainwright) and Steve Caron (Bonnyville) who attended the Provincial Development Camp this past July. Both did a great a great job and took some valuable tools home with them. Well done to both!

I would like to thank a couple of members who are no longer on the executive. Jason Almond (Treasurer) and Dwayne Lundquist (Past Chair), thank you for your dedication and effort for all that
you have done in the zone. Dwayne was also given the distinction of becoming a Life Member to Hockey Alberta Referee Council. One of the greatest honours an official can receive, congrats Dwayne! And to welcome 2 new members, Clayton Brown and Kurt Caron. Both are young and enthusiastic and will be great additions to the executive.

Thank you to the current executive, in advance, I believe that we have a very well rounded group of hard working people who are there for the best interests of the membership and for that I thank you and look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

With being the new chairman, I know that there will be a discovery period and a steep learning curve. With the members of the executive that we have, we will continue moving forward in supporting all of the officials in the zone in any capacity that we can, and in promoting the world of officiating to our members to make it a safe and fun environment every time we step onto the ice. Thanks everyone, this is the first of many updates that will be coming out, so please keep looking out for them, as well as checking our website (nezrc.ca) for many more highlights and much much more.

Enjoy the rest of summer and see you at the rink!!

Mark Woytkiw
NEZ Chairman