Michelle McKenna
Michelle McKenna | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990 (age 35–36)[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Saskatchewan[3] |
| Occupation | Ice hockey referee |
Michelle McKenna (née Stapleton; born 1990) is a Canadian ice hockey referee who has officiated in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and at International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events.[4][5] She was selected to referee the women's tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[6]
Personal life and education
McKenna grew up in Moose Jaw.[7] She attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning an engineering degree in 2013, and later worked for PCL Construction in Saskatchewan.[3] She is married and has a daughter.[8]
Ice hockey officiating career
McKenna began officiating as a teenager, following her brother into refereeing.[7] She later earned a Hockey Canada Level V officiating certification (the highest domestic certification level), and was among a small number of women in Canada to hold that designation at the time.[7]
International and professional assignments
McKenna joined the IIHF pool of officials in 2017.[8] Her IIHF assignments have included the 2022 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship, including the gold-medal game, and her first senior IIHF tournament at the IIHF Women's World Championship in the Czech Republic.[5]
McKenna has officiated in the Professional Women's Hockey League and was named to the league's 2025–26 officiating roster, wearing uniform #10.[4] She was selected by the IIHF to referee the women's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[6][5][4]
References
- ^ "International referees & linesmen". International Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Michelle McKenna". Olympedia. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b "From USask to the Olympics and Paralympics". University of Saskatchewan. February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b c "PWHL announces officiating leadership department and team, rule changes for 2025–26 season". Professional Women's Hockey League. November 14, 2025. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Selecting officials to Women's Olympic Winter Games". International Ice Hockey Federation. August 17, 2025. Archived from the original on November 23, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b Coulter, Shannon (August 12, 2025). "Officials named for 2026 Olympic Winter Games". Hockey Canada. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Michelle Stapleton was late to playing hockey, but she's been ahead of the game for years". Hockey Canada. April 22, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ a b "SJHL's McKenna ready for first Olympics". Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.