Most hockey fans enjoy the fast-paced action, scoring and body checks, but among the Knowlton family, passion for the game involves officiating.
For Shelley Knowlton, who started playing hockey at five years old, hockey is everything. Her love for the game was stronger than every hurdle put in her path. Then in 1997, after disagreeing with a referee on what she believed was a bad call, Knowlton decided to take the whistle into her own hands and become a referee.
What started out as a perceived challenge from another referee turned into a lifetime of reffing and memories. Knowlton’s passion for officiating is unmatched, but the reason for that passion has changed over the last 27 years.
“At first I loved it because it was fun to get out and skate,” said Knowlton. “Then it was cool watching the players develop every season, but then it became about progressing to work at the higher levels in St. Albert, and all over Alberta. In the end it’s the camaraderie of the crews that keep me coming back.”
For Knowlton, the camaraderie of the crew took on a special meaning on Oct. 25. In a Friday night game between the University of Alberta Pandas and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, Knowlton got to share the ice with her daughter Chiara Knowlton.
It was one of the first — if not the very first — times in U Sports history that a mother and daughter refereed a hockey game together.
“Any time I get to skate with my kids is special,” said Shelley Knowlton. “With Chiara quickly rising up the senior program rankings, we get to work high-level games together, which is rare for families to experience.”
For Chiara Knowlton it was a thrilling but scary experience.
“I was super excited but really nervous,” said Chiara. “I always seem to get the most nervous when skating with my mom.”
The 3-0 UBC victory was more than just a historic moment for the Knowltons; it was a step in a long plan set by her mother, joked Chiara.
“Skating in the game was incredible for me,” said Chiara. “My mom always joked about me being her 'succession plan,' so I’m happy that I was finally able to join her in a league I grew up watching her skate.”
Shelley and daughter Chiara didn’t have to wait long to repeat their special moment. The pair officiated another hockey game this past Saturday, potentially making ACAC history in a Lakeland Rustlers 1-0 victory over the NAIT Ooks.
The Knowltons may not be a traditional hockey family, but they are one that has performed at one of the highest levels together.