Tanner Doiron hopes to one day make it to the NHL. He’s taken a big step in that direction. The linesman has been hired this season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“The reason I left (playing) hockey was I knew I wasn’t going anywhere as a player,” said Doiron. “I made so many memories, and met so many people through experiences with hockey along the way that I did not want to let it go.”
Doiron began officiating at age 12 as a way to earn extra money.
“I just grew a passion for [officiating], continued to meet people and have opportunities to travel. From there, I started doing higher levels, and enjoyed being on the ice with those kind of players.”
Now, Doiron is plying his trade in the Q.
“This has definitely been a goal of mine for a while. I’m thrilled and beyond excited to be given the opportunity. I never thought it would come this early, if at all.”
From the CBC:
At 19, the Islander is now the youngest linesman in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He’ll be on the ice Friday at the Eastlink Centre in the game between the Charlottetown Islanders and Shawinigan Cataractes.
“It’s not typical to get hired at that age but I seem to fit in OK, so we’ll see how it goes,” said Doiron, who is also a fulltime student at UPEI.
Doiron said it was one of his goals to become a major junior referee as he worked his way up through the different levels. QMJHL scouts took notice, and liked what they saw.
“I knew I was being watched, particularly last year. That was the stepping stone, they liked me and they actually sent their director of officiating down to watch me,” he said.
An invitation to training camp came in the summer with the news he’d been hired as a linesmen in the league.
“Fortunately for me, it worked out. I didn’t expect it to be this soon but I’m very thankful for it.”
When asked what he enjoys most about being an on-ice official, Doiron said it’s being on the ice with up and coming hockey players.
“I played hockey here on the Island with a lot of the guys in the league now so it’s nice to be able to see them lots. It’s nice to be able to reach the same goal they did, it’s just in a different role.”
