GHRA News

Check this section throughout the season for news about our association and members’ accomplishments.

H1N1 Precautions

Effective immediately the GHRA is implementing a policy of not shaking hands with coaches and captains for all levels of hockey for both the boys and girls house league and representative programs. The on-ice officials are still required to go to the benches before the game but will not be shaking hands as a precautionary measure against the H1N1 flu.

The on-ice officials will also be enforcing the ‘gloves on’ policy for the players when they are shaking hands either before or after the game.

Please go to our bulletins page for a copy of the OMHA and OWHA directives.

Executive Committee
Guelph Hockey Referees Association

GHRA Life Member Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame

In May 2009 Guelph Hockey Referees Association Life Member Evo Parissotto was inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame for Officiating. Evo was a member of GHRA for over 50 years and worked as an on ice official each year until his death in 2005. He not only worked as a referee but for many years was a member of the Guelph Minor Hockey Association. For his tireless work with GMHA he was also given the honour of a Life Membership. His wife and family accepted the award on his behalf at the Sports Hall of Fame dinner presentation.

2009 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7

Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals was a close game in which Pittsburgh defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win the cup. In this game the Guelph Hockey Referees Association was well represented. The two referees for this game were Bill McCreary and Paul Devorski, both of whom began their officiating careers with the GHRA. Paul is the son of one of GHRA’s founding members Bill Devorski and brother of NHL linesman Greg Devorski, who also began his officiating career with the GHRA.

Both Bill and Paul are rated at the top of the NHL officials list and both started as all officials do, working minor hockey. As an association we were very proud of this accomplishment by two former members as we begin our 60th year.