This Sask. referee will be heading to the winter Olympics in 2026

A Yorkton-born referee will be representing Canada at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Fruzsina De Cloedt has the story.

A Yorkton-born referee will be representing Canada at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.

The evening of Sept. 11 saw the Prince Albert Raiders face off against the Regina Pats at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton. Just before 6 p.m., the speakers turned on, blasting music throughout the venue. Slowly, people started filling up the seats – but the bleachers were still mostly empty.

This game was special, not just because of the two teams, but because it was officiated by Yorkton’s very own Tarrington Wyonzek. He is one of four referees to represent Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

“Born and raised in Yorkton and this is where my officiating career began,” Wyonzek said, pointing at the ice behind him. “It was here in this rink and at the Kinsmen down the road.”

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A lot has happened since starting his career at the age of ten. Wyonzek slowly worked himself up the ranks, and a few years ago, he was hired by the Western Hockey League (WHL). The same league that brought him in for a preseason game in his hometown.

“Through [WHL], I’ve had some opportunities to work Memorial Cup championships, and different international tournaments, including U18 World Championships, the U20 World Juniors, and as well as the World Men’s Championships.”

His next stop is the Olympics.

“I’ll be the only official on the male side from Saskatchewan,” he told CTV News before the game. “There are three other females from Saskatchewan that’ll be representing Canada at the Olympics as well.”

Small-town success stories like Tarrington’s are inspiring other young officials in the community.

Logan Halarewich, a Melville-born referee says he’s heard about Wyonzek, and he hopes to achieve similar heights.

“I used to play hockey, and then I wanted to take the next step, because I just wanted to see the other side of things,” Halarewich said. “And so, I became a ref and I’ve never looked back since.”

Another aspiring Olympic referee, Jaxon Bjola, agreed.

“I’ll try my best to do what I can to get up to what league I can. Like he did, going through the Olympics,” Bjola explained. “He just worked his way up there with some hard work. So, I’m going to try my best.”

Bjola isn’t just talking the talk, he’s walking the walk. Or rather, skating it.

He told CTV News that he had started with minor hockey and worked his way up into the hitting leagues, and now he’s officiating senior hockey as a linesman.

Wyonzek, knowing that he would soon do a meet and greet with young local officials, recalled some memories from his youth.

“I played hockey until I was 17 years old, and I realized I wasn’t very good at it,” he said with a smile. “So officiating was just another way to stay involved in the game. I love hockey. I love being at the rink. I love being on the ice.”

The young referees CTV News spoke to are certainly grateful that Wyonzek decided to stay in the hockey.

“I’ve looked up to him and I’m trying to take my perseverance to another level as well,” Bjola added.