This 12 months’s Quickard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week is a very particular occasion for the Cassidy household.
Three generations of Cassidys are hockey referees – for the primary time, they get to officiate collectively.
It’s a dream come true for Kevin Cassidy.
“Tonight’s a particular night time for me clearly,” he defined.
Raised in Fergus, Ont., the elder Cassidy stated he’s performed hockey since he was 5.
Twenty-five years in, he gave up his hockey sticks and gloves for a whistle when their minor hockey league fell in need of officers.
“Someone requested me if I’d officiate. ‘Yeah positive,’ I’d give it a strive … Right here we’re 38 years later,” he stated. “I’m virtually 68 now.”
Kevin and his spouse additionally served on govt committees for a number of minor hockey groups in Ontario. After shifting to the Edmonton space in 2013, Kevin continued his involvement with the game.
His ardour for officiating carried over to youthful Cassidys.
Kevin’s son David grew to become a referee as soon as his personal taking part in days ended.
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“As soon as my taking part in profession was accomplished, it was a strategy to keep within the sport. (It) helps keep in form slightly bit and simply keep lively within the sport,” David stated.
David’s nephew, Kaleb, discovered the thought of officiating interesting, and Kaleb’s brother, Kohen, thought he’d give it a strive since three of his members of the family have been concerned.
“I’ve form of at all times wished to be a referee so once I received the possibility I went for it,” Kaleb stated.
“My grandfather was like ‘Be a part of the household enterprise – you’re going to start out refereeing.’ I’ve had an excellent first 12 months. I liked it greater than I assumed I’d,” Kohen added.
Having all 4 of the Cassidy referees officiate a sport collectively was a aim of Kevin’s, and it was a heartwarming shock for David to see his nephews keep on the household interest.
“Going from watching Kaleb and Kohen taking part in to beginning to referee and watching them transfer up the ranks within the job that they’re doing, I sit up for being on the market tonight,” David stated.
David, Kaleb and Kohen say they’ve all realized from Kevin, having picked up his officiating expertise and utilized them to their very own practices. Whereas they are saying he’s an excellent instructor, they are saying that additionally realized some habits they shouldn’t.
“There’s been a number of instances the place supervisors talked about ‘The place did you study to try this? You most likely shouldn’t.’ Properly, I used to be watching my father,” David defined.
“Undoubtedly some habits I must lose from my grandfather,” Kaleb added.
Regardless, it’s a sport the household will cherish.
“Moments like this are the issues that imply essentially the most to me. Spending time with household and doing one thing that all of us love is a superb factor,” Kohen stated.
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