Medicine Hat’s Wass to officiate in Slovakia at ball hockey world championships

“It’s definitely exciting,” Wass said.

“It’s something you work toward over a number of years.”

Wass began officiating as a teenager, wanting to stay involved with hockey when he wasn’t playing as much anymore and to earn some extra money.

Since then, he has steadily advanced through local, provincial and national assignments.

In ball hockey, that progression included provincial championships, Western Challenge Cups and multiple Canadian championships before earning opportunities at the international level.

His selection for the Slovakian tournament follows several years of officiating at Canada’s highest levels, including working the gold-medal game at last year’s national championship.

Officials are identified and recommended through national programs before being considered by the ISBHF.

Wass previously represented Canada as an official at a world junior championship in Liberec, Czech Republic, three years ago. That tournament featured multiple age divisions and attracted some of the sport’s top young players from around the world.

One of the highlights of that event was officiating the under-23 gold-medal game between host Czechia and Latvia.

“It was a pretty incredible experience,” Wass said.

The upcoming tournament will feature the U16 and U18 divisions running simultaneously, bringing together teams and officials from numerous countries.

While language barriers can occasionally present challenges, Wass said English generally serves as the common language on the floor, and international officials work together to ensure communication remains effective.

“The federation does a good job of pairing officials together and making sure everyone can work as a team,” Wass said.

Away from officiating, Wass teaches at Elm Street School in Medicine Hat, where he will move from a Grade 4-5 classroom this year to teaching Grades 5 and 6 next fall.

He said his students have been excited to hear about the opportunity to officiate internationally.

“They think it’s pretty cool,” Wass said with a laugh.

Wass will be celebrating his 32nd birthday in Europe during the tournament. Recently married, he will have to celebrate his birthday via the phone with his wife.

“She’s excited, she’s happy and proud, she sees all the work and the hours spent at the rink during the winter and springtime for these moments,” Wass said.

Wass has also officiated at the university and Junior A level, for ice hockey, experiences he credits with helping build confidence and develop the skills required to perform at elite levels.

He believes officiating can provide young athletes with an opportunity to remain connected to the game long after their playing careers end.

“If you take it seriously, it can take you a lot of places,” Wass said.

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Wass watches as he officiates a Hat Ball Hockey League game between the Molotovs and the Darth Vaders at the Redcliff Rec Tangle Arena. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

Wass credits local organizations, including the Hat Ball Hockey League (HBHL) and Gas City Ball Hockey (GCBHL), for helping develop players and officials capable of getting to national and international competitions.

“Ball hockey is a pretty tight-knit community,” Wass said.

“It’s awesome what the local organizations do to help people progress.”

After the tournament concludes, Wass plans to spend some additional time exploring Europe before returning home.

The world championships are scheduled for July 1-5.

Wass won’t be alone in representing Medicine Hat at the tournament.

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Wass drops the ball while Allan takes a draw during a Hat Ball Hockey League game. Both will be in Slovakia at the world ball hockey championships. (Image Credit: Jesse Gill/CHAT News)

Carter Allan will play for the Team Canada U18 team. The 17-year-old athlete had worked his way up through the GCBHL before joining the HBHL this season with a group of young players on the Darth Vaders, competing in the adult league.

Wass has been the official and Allan, the player, dozens of times over the years on the ice and the ball hockey floor.

They will now have a chance to do the same thing, but while representing their home country, about 8,000 kilometres away from Medicine Hat.

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READ: Medicine Hat’s Allan will play for Canada at World U18 Ball Hockey Championships (Mar. 3, 2026)

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Later in July, the GCBHL and HBHL will also have a pair of players representing Team Alberta at Canadian Nationals in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Both Kayden Van Ham and Zander Weatherhead of Medicine Hat will play for the U19 team.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat’s Wass to officiate in Slovakia at ball hockey world championships

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