Michelle McKenna
Canadian ice hockey referee (born 1990)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michelle McKenna (née Stapleton; born 1990) is a Canadian ice hockey referee who has officiated in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and at International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events.[4][5] She was selected to referee the women's tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[6]
Michelle McKenna | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990 (age 35–36)[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Saskatchewan[3] |
| Occupation | Ice hockey referee |
Personal life and education
McKenna grew up in Moose Jaw.[7] She attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning an engineering degree in 2013, and later worked for PCL Construction in Saskatchewan.[3] She is married and has a daughter.[8]
Ice hockey officiating career
McKenna began officiating as a teenager, following her brother into refereeing.[7] She later earned a Hockey Canada Level V officiating certification (the highest domestic certification level), and was among a small number of women in Canada to hold that designation at the time.[7]
International and professional assignments
McKenna joined the IIHF pool of officials in 2017.[8] Her IIHF assignments have included the 2022 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship, including the gold-medal game, and her first senior IIHF tournament at the IIHF Women's World Championship in the Czech Republic.[5]
McKenna has officiated in the Professional Women's Hockey League and was named to the league's 2025–26 officiating roster, wearing uniform #10.[4] She was selected by the IIHF to referee the women's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[6][5][4]