Sask. woman makes history as first female linesperson in the WHL
Weyburn product Alex Clarke is set to make Western Hockey League history this season.
Since the WHL was founded in 1966, men have always been tasked with officiating roles. This season, Clarke will become the first female to be a linesperson in the Canadian Hockey League.
“I was hoping for that opportunity this season, so it wasn’t a shock but I was very excited that it was actually going to come my direction,” Clarke said.
Clarke found out she was being given regular WHL assignments in July. The 28-year-old began reffing hockey games in Saskatchewan in 2017.
On Sep. 24, she skated in her first pre-season WHL game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Regina Pats.
“The game is the same, the puck feels the same and I could feel the support from everybody, which was different than I normally feel as a ref on the ice,” Clarke laughed.
She pursued being a linesperson after hockey career. Clarke was the captain of the College of St. Scholastica’s NCAA Division 3 hockey program. Shortly after graduating, she was drafted by the Calgary Inferno in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, but was forced into early retirement following a knee injury. Since then, she’s been a linesperson in almost 300 games in Saskatchewan.
“You have to work up through different leagues to get there, you can’t just go from reffing female Midget AAA hockey into the WHL,” Clarke said.
During last Friday’s pre-season game, many fans came to watch and support Clarke. Her friend and co-worker Curtis O’Reilly was one of them.
“I think equality is super important. I think it’s kind of ridiculous that this has taken this long for a female to get a shot like that,” O’Reilly said.
The Warriors even announced the historical moment on the loud speaker to the crowd at Mosaic Place.
“I didn’t expect that many people to be in my corner or cheering me on,” Clarke admitted.
Regina Pats head coach Dave Struch said he called Kevin Muench, the WHL’s senior director of officiating, following the game to remark on how good Clarke was.
“There was no difference. I commend her for it, it’s pretty brave to do something like that and be a part of this world,” Struch said.
Clarke said she hasn’t met any officials or hockey personnel who have ever discouraged her. One of her roles as a linesperson is to break up fights. At 5 foot 11, getting involved doesn’t intimidate her.
“I don’t go unnoticed amongst the men. I can get in there and get between guys and they know I’m there. I have no problem getting in there,” Clarke said.
Clarke isn’t sure why she’s the first female to break down this barrier, but says she only started to notice other female officials at other levels of the game over the last five years.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s taken this long but I also give merit to the fact that we have to be on the ice involved in the play and you have to be able to keep up with the speed of the hockey,” Clarke said.
Clarke has a two-year-old daughter, Prairie. She also has a full-time job with Farm Credit Canada. She wasn’t sure she could juggle work, parenthood and being a linesperson. However, while watching Olympic Gold medalist Meaghan Mikkelson at an international competition, she noticed the Team Canada defensewoman skating with her son at the end of the game. Seeing Mikkelson balance motherhood while competing at the highest level encouraged Clarke.
“That was the ah-ha moment for me, where it’s like, women can have a family and still pursue their dreams,” Clarke said.
Now, the next generation of women has somebody to look up to.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Debate gets testy as MPs consider confidence motion in PM Trudeau
MPs debated the first non-confidence motion of the fall House of Commons sitting today, seeing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre push once again for a snap election. But with votes secured to keep them afloat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals were quick to turn the discussion into a referendum on the Conservative alternative.
EXCLUSIVE Image released of mysterious object shot down over Yukon in 2023
An image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023 has been obtained by CTVNews.ca.
Couple in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., awarded more than $500K for enduring life with hellish neighbour
We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.
Boosting Canadian seniors’ benefits would cost a 'chunk of change,' says PBO
Canada’s budget watchdog says the federal government may not meet its fiscal anchors if it acquiesces to the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand seniors benefits in exchange for keeping the minority Liberals in power.
Ontario woman seen in viral video of Porsche theft now facing more charges
An 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in a caught-on-video incident in Mississauga earlier this month is now facing auto theft charges in Toronto.
Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to change Alberta Bill of Rights
Premier Danielle Smith says she plans to reinforce the right to decide whether to receive a vaccination or other medical procedure in changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights.
Trump mixes up the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, during his speech in Georgia
Donald Trump flubbed the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, while going off script during a speech on Tuesday otherwise focused on economic policy, slamming U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for lying about 'Charlottestown.'
'I have nothing to do with this': B.C. man says he had no idea his name was linked to global fraud scheme
CTV News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation spoke with a Canadian who claims his identity was stolen and used to set up a series of companies peddling fraudulent investment schemes.
Guilbeault calls out Poilievre over 2023 fundraiser with oil and gas executives
Steven Guilbeault accused Pierre Poilievre of catering to his 'rich friends' in the oil and gas sector by pushing a policy to scrap carbon pricing.