Kyle Scrivens has officiated a lot of hockey games over his distinguished 23-MJHL career.
On Oct. 26, he worked his final one when he took to the ice for a Manitoba Junior Hockey League game between the Steinbach Pistons and the Selkirk Steelers at the Recreation Complex.
That game was very special for Scrivens and his family, which includes three younger kids, as he was deservingly honoured before the game.
His wife Jennifer was extremely supportive as Scrivens was travelling across Canada to officiate games over the years.
“Without her being so easy going with it, it would have made it a lot harder,” he said. “Even now, she said ‘You don’t have to quit, you can still do it.’ Without her support it would have been really hard to do.”
Scrivens got an early start in his officiating career.
“I started at 16 as a linesman mostly in Selkirk and Sagkeeng, they had a (MJHL) team at that point so there was a little bit of travel up there and a few (games) here and there in the city,” said Scrivens earlier this month. “Reffing 20 year olds as a 16 year old lining, there were some big kids that came back from the Western Hockey League and stuff. As a 16 year old trying to control 20 year olds, it’s a different animal when they’re hitting the gym. They’re men, basically, and I’m still a kid.”
In 2010, he worked the RBC Cup in Dauphin. After that he strictly worked as a referee. The 38 year old Scrivens got his start officiating his brother’s games when he was around nine or 10 years old and then he got more involved as an official when he was 12 and later received some opportunities to work in Winnipeg.
Scrivens was made to be a hockey official.
“I was good at it and when you’re good at stuff, you want to keep doing it,” Scrivens said. “Just being able to compete, not with the players, but testing your skill and that sort of stuff and the camaraderie of the guys.”
It’s a pretty special time when you get to hang out with your fellow officials either before or after a game.
“The three guys that I worked my last game with, the one linesman I reffed with for 20 years. It’s not just the hockey and life’s changed now, I have three kids, but I will miss the room and seeing the boys and having a drink or two after the game, stuff like that,” Scrivens laughed.
Being a hockey official isn’t a glamorous – or even popular job – but a lot of people have a tremendous amount of respect for Scrivens and his major contribution to the game of hockey.
“Kyle has been around for a long time and I’ve had the pleasure of growing into the officiating ranks with him,” said MJHL Director of Officiating, Patrick Gagnon on the MJHL website. “Kyle’s dedication to officiating is what we should all strive for as he’s proven how far it can take you. He will certainly be missed as an on-ice official, but we’re looking forward to having him be part of our development team.”
Over 23 years, Scrivens officiated numerous notable events and games including the following:
2001-2023 | MJHL
2010 | RBC Cup (Lines)
2011 | Under 17 Challenge Bronze Medal Game
2011-2020 | Western Hockey League (WHL)
2012 | Level 6
2014 | Western Canada Cup
2015 | RBC Cup
2017 | World Jr. A Challenge
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