M’Chigeeng First Nation teen wins Northern Ontario Hockey Association officiating award
By Sam Laskaris
M’CHIGEENG FIRST NATION – Gabe Hare has a reputation of being a rather physical hockey player.
As a result, the 15-year-old member of M’Chigeeng First Nation has been assessed more than his share of penalties throughout his hockey career.
“He knows every penalty box in every arena,” his mother, Stacey Lewis, said of the teenager who weighs in at 205 pounds and stands at 6-foot-1.
Hare, however, has also been earning rave reviews for his officiating work.
In fact, it was announced on Apr. 1 that Hare is this year’s recipient of the Keith Barton Memorial Award, annually presented to the most promising official in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA).
“I didn’t know there was an award for reffing,” said Hare, a Grade 10 student at Manitoulin Secondary School.
The 2019-20 hockey season marked the first year Hare donned a striped jersey and worked as an official.
He decided to give officiating a shot after seeing a Facebook post that the Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association was looking for officials.
Besides officiating those in the younger ranks, Hare continued his own playing career, suiting up for a Midget house league team in the association this past season. He also played for his high school team.
After completing a written test and an on-ice session, Hare was awarded his Level 1 officiating certification last fall.
He worked between three to five games per week this past season.
He started working as part of a two-person referee system at the Atom (those aged 9 and 10) house league level. Later in the season he moved up and worked some Peewee (ages 11-12) and Bantam (ages 13-14) contests.
In the Peewee and Bantam matches that had a three-person officiating crew, he worked as a linesman.
Greg Lockeyer, the referee-in-chief for the NOHA’s District 7, nominated Hare for the officiating award.
The NOHA’s District 7 includes all of Manitoulin Island as well as all communities up to and including Massey, Blind River and Elliot Lake.
The NOHA is comprised of nine districts. Each district was allowed to nominate one individual for each of the four officiating awards the association annually presents. Those on the NOHA’s referee committee then select the winner in each category.
Lockeyer said he was rather impressed with Hare’s efforts during his inaugural officiating season.
“He doesn’t look like he’s 15,” Lockeyer said. “He’s a big boy and he’s got a good presence on the ice. And he’s got a good knowledge of the game as well.”
Hare will eventually be presented with a plaque for winning the NOHA officiating award. He was also supposed to be invited to the NOHA development camp that is held annually in May in Sudbury.
That camp traditionally features elite NOHA players that are being considered to represent the association at various events. Officials are also brought in to work at the camp.
But this year’s camp has been cancelled due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hare, however, said he will be invited to participate in the 2021 NOHA development camp instead.
While he plans to continue playing hockey, Hare is also eager to continue his officiating career.
“I kind of like it better than playing,” he said. “I see a lot more of the game. And I get to see the kids develop.”
Hare is hoping to earn his Level 2 certification later this year. That would enable him to work as a referee (and not just a linesman) for Bantam outings. And he could also work as a linesman for some Midget games.