Referee Jean Hebert returned to his hometown of Bouctouche for Hockeyville 2022.
He made the most of his visit to New Brunswick, helping run an officiating clinic, taking in practice with his family, and visiting the plaque of his late grandfather hanging in the local Hall of Fame.
Hebert wasn’t the only official working the game with local ties. Linesman Jesse Marquis is also from Bouctouche.
“It’s always been home for me,” said Marquis. “I have a lot of great memories at the J.K. Irving Arena. From playing high school hockey to officiating a lot of minor hockey, working the Allan Cup, and working my final QMJHL preseason game before going pro in September 2017.”
More on the Hockeyville officials from the NHL:
Bouctouche natives Jean Hebert and Jesse Marquis will officiate in their home rink, J.K. Irving Centre. Marquis worked numerous minor hockey games here, the Allan Cup awarded to the national senior amateur men’s hockey champions in Canada and his final game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He returns to New Brunswick every offseason. Hebert played minor hockey here and became connected to Elsipogtog First Nation by teammates and coaches. He has helped raise more than $100,000 for local minor hockey and non-contact ringette associations through his golf tournament that has provided equipment and subsidized player costs.
“It’s fun to see and I’m happy everybody’s having a great time,” Hebert said. A lot of people here, it’s their only chance they’ll have to watch the NHL caliber player play hockey. To see all that live, for those kids that have a chance to see that really is a chance of a lifetime.”
Hebert and Marquis were joined on the ice by referee Ghislain Hebert (Bathurst, NB, about 160 kilometers north of Bouctouche) – no relation to his fellow referee – and linesman Steve Barton (Vankleek Hill, ON).
Ottawa defeated Montreal 3-2 in overtime on a goal from Drake Batherson.
