P.E.I. 'pioneer' makes history officiating in Maritime Junior Hockey League
CBC
Ellen Dixon knew many people were watching her as she stepped onto the ice at the start of the Summerside Western Capitals game on December 7.
She had refereed one exhibition game, but this would be her official debut in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. She's believed to be the first woman from P.E.I. to take on the role.
"In some ways it's funny because it was underwhelming. I was nervous going into it, but at the same time, it's just another game of hockey," Dixon said.
"You have to adjust to the pace. There is a different set of rules in that league that aren't applied in any other leagues that I skate in.
"But overall I was working with a really great crew that have worked that league quite a bit, so it made me feel really comfortable that I was supported by the people I was on the ice with," Dixon said.
"It wasn't a very close game, which I think was a great way to get my feet wet in that league."
Dixon, 33, started to referee as a teenager with the North River Minor Hockey Association, which includes her home community of Kingston, P.E.I.
"I was 14 when I started refereeing, and just like a lot of kids, you're looking for a way to maybe be more involved with hockey. You're looking for a way to make a couple of dollars," Dixon said.
"I was at the rink a lot anyway, and it was just something that I enjoyed."
Dixon continued to officiate during her time at UPEI, as well as when she was living in Nova Scotia, studying to become a physiotherapist.
When she returned to the Island, Hockey PEI invited her to attend a regional high-performance camp, and she started doing more elite men's hockey, such as U15 AAA and U18 AAA.
Dixon said there have been some negative reactions, especially as she moved into the higher levels of male hockey.
"I've had comments, based on my gender, that I should go back to reffing girls' hockey," Dixon said.
"That was always interesting because I feel gender doesn't have too much of a say in my ability to skate, or my ability to understand and apply a rule.
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