2025 IIHF Championship Program: Officiating Assignments

It's that time of the year when the anxiety level of our internationally accredited officials starts to increase. Not because they are involved in an intense game, but because they are waiting with anticipation on whether they have been lucky enough to be selected as a Game Official for the IIHF Championship Program.

Every season, the IIHF analyses the list of nominated on-ice game officials by reviewing national recommendations and past performance at IIHF events to map out their future potential. Game officials are then matched to an appropriate IIHF event and provided the opportunity to showcase their talents and show why they belong to the elite international community.

 This season's officials have been selected to officiate at the following IIHF Events:

• Bethany Bowshall (IHSA): Linesperson at IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s Asia and Oceania Championship, in Beijing, China, from 30.10.2024 to 03.11.2024.
• Casper Russelhuber (IHV): Referee at IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division III, Group A, in Istanbul, Turkey, from 27.01.2025 to 02.02.2025.
• David Gal (IHSA): Referee at IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division III, Group A, in Metepec, Mexico, from 02.03.2025 to 08.03.2025.
• Sarah Kinninment (IHQ): Linesperson at IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division II, Group B, in Dunedin, New Zealand, from 14.04.2025 to 20.04.2025.
• Davida Paul (IHNSW): Referee at IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division II, Group B, in Dunedin, New Zealand, from 14.04.2025 to 20.04.2025.
• Hamish Young (IHV): Linesperson at IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II, Group B, in Dunedin, New Zealand, from 27.04.2025 to 03.05.2025.
• Jake O’Brien (IHSA): Linesperson at IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II, Group A, in Melbourne, Australia, from 27.04.2025 to 03.05.2025.
• Russell Dow (IHV): Linesperson at IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II, Group A, in Melbourne, Australia, from 27.04.2025 to 03.05.2025.

 In addition to the above on-ice officials, off-ice assignments include:

• Kent Unwin (IHNSW)
• Officiating Coach at IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division III, Group B, in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28.02.2025 to 06.03.2025.
• Officiating Coach at IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II, Group B, in Dunedin, New Zealand, from 27.04.2025 to 03.05.2025.

Hockey is a close-knit community, and excitement now turns to contacting colleagues far and wide to celebrate each other's success. Some will even be lucky enough to see colleagues again and share stories since the last time they met in person, and hopefully display how they have each grown as officials over the years. The IIHF Championship Program truly demonstrates the notion of officiating as being a family.

Over the years, the IIHF have been a strong supporter of the IHA Officiating Program, and we are grateful for their continued support in providing pathways for our officials to shine. Details of all IIHF accredited IHA representatives as well as a list of all previous IIHF assignments can be found on the Officials Resources page here: For Officials - Ice Hockey Australia (iha.org.au)