Hub Star: Manon Lacasse
Manon Lacasse has a lot to be proud of. Not only does she volunteer with several organizations, and referees men’s and women’s ball and ice hockey, but she also was the first female referee at the CARHA Hockey World Cup that was held in Quebec City. There were so few female referees that she was actually stopped by a spectator and asked if the was refereeing the games.
Hockey officiating started 30 years ago for Lacasse. After score keeping in Vanier in the 80’s she was able to meet a female official who introduced her to refereeing men’s ball hockey. After learning how to skate backwards, she took the show to the ice but as a player.
In 2005 she joined the ranks of a CARHA Hockey official and never looked back. “I would quit my full time job to be a ref,” said Lacasse. CARHA was able to give her the chance to officiate at both the 2008 and 2012 CARHA Hockey World Cup. This year she was blown away by the crowds at both the women’s and men’s games but especially by the crowds at the Essar Centre.
Currently Lacasse works with several associations in the Ottawa area including CARHA Hockey, the RA centre, Canadian Hockey Academy, and the Minto Women’s Hockey League plus many more.