Some young athletes dream of one day playing the sport they love at the professional level, surrounded in a stadium with cheering fans. This journey, however is a reality for only a select few of individuals, myself not included.

Growing up I aspired to play professional hockey for the Minnesota Wild, but as each year passed I began to realize did not have the speed or technique to play at this level. Then when I entered high school, I made the decision to stop playing but to remain involved in the game, I decided to become an official.

Taking the ice during my first game as an official three years ago may have been the most frightening moment I have experienced in sports. As I dropped the puck to begin the game, I worried whether I would be able to make the right calls under the pressure of the game. Sure enough after the first period, I had messed up a penalty, two off sides, and had an angry coach to deal with. I quickly learned that this job looked a lot easier when I was a player.

Despite my first and rather poor performance, I stuck with it and practiced my technique, attended trainings, and quickly climbed the ranks, officiating elite hockey teams in a matter of a year and a half.

A year later, I was recognized by the Minnesota Wild for my dedication to the game as a referee and I not only had the opportunity to meet the NHL Referees prior to the game but I took the ice with them at the beginning of the game while NHL greats such as Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter took the ice. This surreal moment made me realize that staying involved in hockey as an official is just as rewarding as being a player.