By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

making history

WHL welcomes Alex Clarke as league’s first female linesperson

Sep 25, 2021 | 10:42 AM

The Western Hockey League welcomed its first female linesperson in history on Friday.

Alex Clarke, a native of Weyburn, SK, took to the ice in a pre-season games between the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors.

Clarke previously officiated at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Calgary.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to join the WHL as a linesperson,” Clarke said before her first game. “I have been working towards this for several years now and I believe my development has reached the level required to perform in the WHL. I’m looking forward to the challenges and growth the WHL will bring to my officiating journey, and I’m excited about the potential for other female officials to enjoy similar opportunities in high-level male hockey.”

The WHL also notes Clarke’s experience and success in the AJHL.

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The 28-year-old also officiated at the 2020 and 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Div. 1 and Group B), the 2018 Four Nations Cup, and the 2018 U18 Women’s World Championship (Div. II and Group B).

She has skated in nearly 300 games in Saskatchewan since the 2017-2018 season, and previously played four years at College of St. Scholastica (NCAA-Div. III) in Duluth, MN, captaining her team and notching 12 goals and 51 assists in 107 games.

She was then drafted by the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL but had to retire due to a knee injury.

“On behalf of the WHL and all our member Clubs, we wish to extend a warm welcome to Alex Clarke as she joins our WHL Officiating program,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Alex has proven herself to be a world-class linesperson and we look forward to her continuing her development as an official in the WHL.”