Liam O’Dette has been on the ice for as long as he can remember.

Beginning his hockey career at the age of six, O’Dette spent his minor hockey days playing ‘AAA’for the Markham Waxers, and competed at the Junior A level for the Stouffville Spirit and Markham Royals.  

Moving on to university, O’Dette continued his career in Junior B and Junior C, but was forced to move on requiring the second shoulder surgery of his career. Following university, he began looking for ways to get back into the game.  

“I first coached for a couple years, but didn’t feel the same connection to the game as I felt as a player,” explained O’Dette. “That was when the idea of officiating came to mind.”  

O’Dette reached out to the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) to learn more about what the path to becoming an official would look like. He jumped right in, beginning his officiating career in the 2024-25 season.  

While his years of hockey experience helped O’Dette make the leap into officiating, he credits his time in a different sport with helping him get his start on the ice. 

“Prior to starting hockey, I spent two years in figure skating,” said O’Dette. “Which gave me the skating roots that I continued to develop as my hockey career progressed.” 

Despite his lack of experience, O’Dette quickly climbed the officiating ranks, and was selected as a linesperson for the 2025 OHL Cup.  

“This was a goal of mine from the start of the season,” said O’Dette, who was also selected to line the tournament’s Quarterfinal game. “To see my hustle and hard work rewarded was assurance that my work was being noticed.” 

On top of his OHL Cup selection, O’Dette’s hard work and dedication were also recognized after the season when he was selected as the GTHL’s Most Promising Official of the 2024-25 campaign.  

While O’Dette’s first season as an official was an excellent one, he still acknowledges that there were challenges involved in making the jump from playing to officiating.  

“As a player, you are focused on the puck and kind of have horse blinders on when you are on the ice,” said O’Dette. “As an official, you are constantly scanning and are aware of everything that is taking place on the ice – from players, coaches, [and] even spectators. Working on awareness, keeping sight lines along with positioning are what has helped me […] put myself in the best position to have a fair and consistent game.” 

Knowing that mistakes and challenges are inevitable for a new official, O’Dette encourages others to go out and give it a try.  

“The advice I would give to new officials is to just take the jump and get involved,” O’Dette said, adding that everyone will have good and bad games early in their career. “No one is perfect, but you will be supported by the league, fellow officials, and supervisors to grow into the best official you can be.”  

O’Dette also reminds players, coaches, and spectators to recognize that while no official is perfect, they are still entitled to respect.  

“The biggest message I would give to players, coaches, and spectators is that yes, we as referees make mistakes,” O’Dette explained. “We are human, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to verbally harass officials.”   

Through the ups and downs, successes and challenges, after his first season donning the stripes, O’Dette is appreciative of what officiating has given him.  

“As an official, we are at the heart of the game,” O’Dette said. “We have the best seat in the house to be a part of the game and be able to provide a fair and safe game. I do it because I love the game of hockey.” 

“It’s my way of giving back to the game that gave me so much.” 

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