After officiating the two biggest games of her career so far, Prince George hockey official Danika Kroeker says the best is yet to come.
The 21-year-old has recently been named the BC Hockey official of the year for 2019-20, proving herself to be one of the top officials for BC Hockey and Hockey Canada.
“It was a good feeling, especially seeing the list of past officials who have won it,” Kroeker tells MyPGNow.
“A lot of them are the most successful officials BC has had. Getting to follow them means a lot because I look up to every single one of them.”
Kroeker, a product of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association, currently works on the ice in the BCHL, USports, and BC Hockey Zone Programs.
The award is just the latest in what has been a career year for Kroeker.
She went to the U-18 Championships in Manitoba earlier this year, where she officiated the gold medal game.
Kroeker also worked as a lineswoman for Canada vs. USA women’s hockey Rivalry Series in February.
The hockey season is currently on pause because of the pandemic, and that took some getting used to says the young official.
Off the ice, she is employed as a Correctional Officer in Prince George.
“I take a lot of the things I learn officiating with me to work. It’s a different job for sure, but I enjoy it a lot!” Kroeker said.
For her next steps, Kroeker is hoping to transition to international level games.
Congratulations to Danika Kroeker of @pgmha for her selection as the BC Hockey Official of the Year. Danika had an outstanding season Provincially, Nationally and Internationally. #morethandroppingpucks https://t.co/tbVgElXHgD pic.twitter.com/EAxALMeTKt
— BC Hockey Officials (@BCHockey_Refs) September 15, 2020