For Broidy Rondelet, hockey has always been a significant part of his life.  

After spending his minor hockey career with North Toronto at the ‘AA’ level and competing at the Junior C level throughout university, Rondelet decided to shift his focus from playing to officiating. Now in his third year as an official, Rondelet has made significant strides, including earning the GTHL’s 2024 Hockey Canada Most Promising Official Award.  

The decision to become a referee wasn’t immediate for Rondelet. Initially, he made the jump to the bench. But his father-in-law, Michael Furgiuele, a former referee, inspired him to consider officiating.  

“I wanted to be closer to the game and be out there on the ice,” Rondelet said, adding that he wanted to try a new aspect of the game – something he hadn’t tried before. “I saw it as an opportunity to give back to the game and view hockey through a different lens.” 

Adapting to the role of an official, however, required a shift in perspective.  

“The biggest challenge was observing the game differently,” Rondelet explained. “As a player, you have more tunnel vision. As a [referee], you’re not focused on where the puck is, it’s learning to become more aware of your surroundings and the anticipation which is a big change.” 

Picking up the whistle, Rondelet remained modest with his goals — it was always about staying connected to the game. 

“Hockey has been a huge part of my life forever and one of my first loves you may say,” he shared, adding that most experience that missing piece when they stop playing. “Officiating gave me the lifestyle back – going to the rink in the evenings, getting to hang out in the dressing room, and just having that team camaraderie was really what it was about.” 

In only his second season, however, Rondelet had the opportunity to skate his first OHL Cup – an accomplishment he never thought would present itself so soon.  

“You’re with some of the best refs, with a great atmosphere and crowd, and then the best players in Ontario and the pace of the game,” Rondelet recalled. “I never thought I’d do it in my second season but the experience was unbelievable.”  

Rondelet capped off the 2023-24 season with the GTHL’s 2024 Hockey Canada Most Promising Official Award. 

“Obviously you recognize that you ref almost every night of the week, you understand the time you’re putting into it, the good and the bad games – but to be recognized by the GTHL and my peers was phenomenal,” Rondelet said. “To be recognized alongside some of the best refs… I was extremely honoured.”  

Rondelet credits much of his growth to the mentorship he received from experienced officials like Troy Whetstone and Michael Moore, with a special mention of Rob Pilmer, the GTHL’s Coordinator of Officiating, for providing opportunities in tougher games and helping with his development.  

“I really respect the way they’ve carried out their reffing careers – they show you how to stay calm, build a rapport with coaches, and how to just have fun out there,” Rondelet explained, adding that they were always just a call or text away for feedback or a conversation. “It’s about remembering it’s just a game at the end of the day – I learned that from them.”  

Looking to those considering officiating, Rondelet encourages anyone with a love for the game to give the stripes a try.  

“Just go out and try it once,” Rondelet said. “Your first shift will be your toughest shift, but once you’re out there, you’ll probably be hooked from there.” 

He also reminds spectators, players, and coaches of the complexity of the job.  

“We’re making at least 100 – if not more – decisions in a game, and most of the time, we get 95 to 99 of those decisions correct in a night,” Rondelet explained. “It’s challenging, but we’re locked in, every second, and we’re doing our best to get it right.”