Take 5 with … Megan Howes

Take 5 minutes to get to know our officials supervisors, on-ice officials, shot clock operators, and more.

Our first installment of 2025 features Megan Howes, who has made a career out of officiating!

 

Where did your officiating journey begin?

I’m from Burnaby, British Columbia, and I’ve always known I wanted to be a referee. My journey started before I was even old enough to officiate. My mom became the Referee-in-Chief of Burnaby New Westminster Ringette, despite not even knowing how to skate. The community was so welcoming that she stayed in the role for 10 years!

I was 11 when she took on that position, but I didn’t fully grasp what officiating meant or how integral it was to the sport. Over time, as I watched her get more involved, I became more aware of the officiating community and its impact. Still, I had to wait three years before I could take my first clinic.

By the time I was 13, I had two incredible sister coaches who were high-level officials. Watching them referee some of the best ringette I had ever seen solidified my passion. That same year, Burnaby hosted the 2012 Canadian Ringette Championships (CRCs), and I got to watch one of my coaches officiate at the highest level. As a club-level player, I had never seen ringette at that caliber, and I was amazed.

I knew I was a competitive player, a good teammate, and I always played with passion, but high-performance ringette wasn’t really in the cards for me. That’s when it hit me, I didn’t need to be an elite player to go to nationals. I could get there as a referee! Before I even put on the striped jersey, I had already set my sights on becoming the best official I could be.

From the moment I stepped on the ice as an official, I’ve reached milestones I never would have imagined as a player. Officiating has taken me further than I ever dreamed, and through countless memories, miles traveled, and experiences gained, I’m so grateful to be doing exactly what inspired me all those years ago.

What does your role entail?

For me, any game I officiate is an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Whether it’s an opportunity to stay active and involved, build connections, or collect a little bit of money for my time, each game is a learning experience.

What do you find most rewarding about officiating?
Officiating has given me so much: my best life skills, relationships, and opportunities all stem from it. It’s more than just staying active and involved, it’s my career! I work full-time with Hockey Canada developing officials, which means I get to support and cheer on referees every day.

I started officiating because I was surrounded by passionate people who loved it, and sharing that passion is what keeps me coming back. The competitive drive pushes me forward, but it’s the officiating community that makes it all worthwhile.

What has been your most memorable officiating experience?
This past year has been an incredible journey. After completing a four-year cycle at the Western Canadian Ringette Championships (WCRCs) and finally earning my Level 4, I wondered: what’s next?
That question led me to travel more, see more ringette, and open doors I had only dreamed of. By the end of the year, I had not only progressed enough to be eligible for nationals, but I also earned an invite to the 2024 La Relève Officiating Development Camp and the 2025 CRCs. It’s been an amazing ride, and I can’t wait for what’s next!

What advice do you have for new officials starting their careers?
Cherish the journey, the joy is in the ride. Every official starts somewhere, and everyone has moments of self-doubt. But the more you stick with it, the more rewarding it becomes. Whether your goal is to officiate local games or reach the highest levels, officiating will give you skills and experiences that go far beyond the ice.

What are you most looking forward to at the 2025 CRCs?
One of my biggest inspirations, Jaki Leckman, who I watched referee at CRCs in 2012, will be attending as an evaluator. This time, she’ll be watching me on the ice at the national level. It’s a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Thank you for joining us for this installment of Take 5! Catch all the #CRC2025 action in Ottawa, ON, March 30 – April 5, 2025 live or on the Ringette Canada YouTube channel.