The Ontario Hockey League has honored referee Pat Myers as the 2025 recipient of the Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials.
Established in 2013, ‘The Bodie’ is presented annually to “the OHL official who demonstrates a passion and dedication to officiating and the game of hockey, who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, professionalism, and is respected by OHL member teams, players, and fellow officials.”
Myers, a 13-year veteran official in the OHL, worked under Bodendistel when he joined the league.
“I am extremely honoured to have been chosen by my fellow officials for ‘The Bodie’ award,” Myers said via statement from the OHL. “I started in 2011-12 with the OHL and was fortunate to have Ken Bodendistel supervise and mentor me during my first couple seasons before he passed away in November of 2013. The guidance that he was able to provide me early on helped my development as an official. I know that he had a big impact on officiating over his 40-year career and I am lucky to have been around for a small part of that. I’m proud to be selected for the award in his name because I know Ken had a passion for officiating and was a true professional that you could always turn to for advice. I am humbled that my fellow officials see some of those same characteristics in me.”
Myers is having a great few weeks. In addition to receiving The Bodie, he’s also worked his first OHL’s Championship Series, handling Game 3 between the London Knights and Oshawa Generals alongside ref Chad Ingalls and linesmen Nick Arcan and Spencer Knox. He returned for Game 5 with Ingalls, Knox, and Justin Noble.
“Pat is not only very deserving of this award, but his peers selected him because he’s the perfect candidate,” said OHL Director of Officiating Conrad Haché. “He’s a humble and highly respected individual who quietly goes about his work, often unnoticed.”
“When you look at the meaning behind the award, Pat is a perfect fit—he has quietly earned the respect of OHL teams, players, and fellow officials through his professionalism and character. It’s also especially meaningful, given Pat’s 13-year career. Bodie was familiar with Pat, and I know he would be proud and happy to see him receive this award.”
From the OHL:
Established in 2013, “The Bodie” is presented annually in recognition of former OHL Senior Officiating Manager Ken Bodendistel, who served 40 years in the league beginning as a Supervisor in 1974-75. Bodendistel passed away in November, 2013, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer. This year marked the 12th year “The Bodie” has been presented with recent recipients including Dustin McCrank, Drew Jackson and Mike Hamilton.
Myers will be formally presented with the The Bodie Award at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony held in June at The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
