Calgary, Alta.- Four Western Hockey League officials have been named to the officiating roster for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced Tuesday.
Mike Campbell (Surrey, B.C.) and Cianna Lieffers (Cudworth, Sask.) are among the five Canadian referees being sent to the games, while Alex Clarke (Drake, Sask.) and Tarrington Wyonzek (Yorkton, Sask.) will serve as linespersons for matches in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Meet the 🔟 officials from the Hockey Canada Officiating Program who have been selected for #MilanoCortina2026. 🦓
Voici les 🔟 membres du Programme des officiels de Hockey Canada qui ont été sélectionnés pour les Jeux olympiques d’hiver de 2026. 🦓
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 12, 2025
“Being selected to represent Canada at the Olympics is the highest achievement possible for an official in the Hockey Canada system,” WHL Senior Director of Officiating Kevin Muench said. “This is recognition of years of dedication, commitment and performance at a high level of excellence.”
This marks the second trip to the Olympics for Campbell, who previously reffed games in Beijing in 2022, in addition to appearances at the IIHF World Championship, IIHF World Junior Championship and Memorial Cup.
Clarke, the first woman to work lines and referee a WHL game, also made it to Beijing in 2022, along with fellow Saskie, Lieffers.
The duo have also hit the ice as officials for the AHL, PWHL and IIHF Women’s World Championship (including the 2024 gold-medal game).
Wyonzek is set to make his Olympic debut after working prestigious events like the IIHF World Championship, 2018 Memorial Cup and IIHF World Junior Championship (highlighted by the 2023 gold-medal match in Halifax).
It’s been a long journey for the officials, who began the evaluation process for the Olympics back in 2023 as part of the IIHF’s Road to Milano.
Referees and linespeople were scrutinized throughout domestic regular season competition, national events, and multiple IIHF tournaments before the IIHF made the final call.
“Officiating at the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of an amateur official’s career,” Hockey Canada Officiating Manager Dan Hanoomansingh said. “These officials have been working tirelessly towards this goal for the last four years, and it is a credit to their determination and skill that they have made it a reality.”
Officials for the men’s Olympic tournament will descend on Buffalo, N.Y., for an August preparation camp, while the women’s officials will hold their preparation camp in Europe this December.
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