Officiating Offered Krysta Ansell an Opportunity to Remain Involved in Her Beloved Sport

Upon completing her high school education, Krysta Ansell’s journey in hockey reached a natural endpoint.

Although she participated in some recreational adult leagues, she also took on the role of scorekeeper for games at a nearby arena. 

This venture into the administrative aspect of the sport transformed her relationship with hockey permanently. Through her part-time scorekeeping position, she encountered the scheduler for officials in her area, who suggested that Ansell consider officiating. She quickly developed a passion for it. 

“I wanted to remain connected to hockey, and it presented another chance for me to grow and evolve within the hockey community,” she stated. “My playing days had come to an end, and I was content with that. Now I still have the opportunity to be involved. I enjoy everything about being on the ice, skating, and the thrill of the game itself.”

Ansell mentioned that one aspect she missed from her playing days was the fulfillment of her competitive spirit. She appreciated striving for greater achievements and missed the camaraderie and challenges of competing alongside and against other players.

Discovering the opportunities in officiating unveiled a new dimension of hockey for her, igniting a passion, Ansell remarked. She suddenly recognized a potential career trajectory that could lead to the Olympics, a possibility she had never contemplated as a player and certainly not as an official. 

“I fell in love with the role,” she expressed. “I enjoy being around the players without having to participate in the game anymore. I always like to have goals to strive for. That motivates me to continue in this field.”

Her mentors facilitated Ansell’s participation in camps and clinics, enhancing her skills as an official.

She holds a license as an international official and was part of the officiating crew for the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship Division I, Group B in Poland this past January. More recently, she officiated at the 2026 Chipotle-USA Hockey Youth Tier I 14U National Championship in Plymouth, Michigan.

Ansell aims to officiate at the Olympics one day. In the interim, she hopes to be chosen for forthcoming IIHF tournaments and continue advancing to higher divisions.

She appreciates the community within high-level officiating that encourages her and motivates her to improve. 

“I’m not sure many people understand the effort that goes into our development,” Ansell remarked. “We’re not in this for financial gain. Most of us officiating at a high level are there for the experience. At this level, it feels like a big family. We’re all vying for the same positions, but ultimately, we support one another as well.”

Ansell makes an effort to connect with girls who are still playing and share her experiences with them. It took her several years into her officiating career to fully grasp the opportunities available, so she aims to introduce younger players to the career paths they could pursue as officials.

“I like to plant that seed earlier with girls who are still active in the game and show them an alternative route to the Olympics,” she stated. “I want them to realize that even if they’re not playing, they can still be part of the sport. Exposing them to another aspect of the hockey world is incredibly impactful.”

This instinct to create opportunities and guide potential future officials reflects Ansell’s philosophy when officiating games. A principle that continues to guide her as a referee is grounding her actions in education.

She perceives her role as an official as a component of a broader network of hockey educators, serving both coaches and players. Her responsibility is to understand the rules and ensure that everyone else learns and follows them, she explained. Just as players must enhance their puck-handling or skating skills, their comprehension and awareness of the game’s rules must also be developed. 

“We’re out there teaching them the game. They learn how to play, they learn how to skate, they learn how to shoot pucks, they learn how to pass. That’s one piece of the puzzle,” she noted. “[Officials] know all the rules, we understand all the intricacies of the actual game. Therefore, I approach my role with the mindset that I need to ensure I’m educating them about the game. They might believe they know the rule, but they probably haven’t read the rulebook.”

This perspective has provided Ansell with a fresh outlook on the game she has always cherished, she remarked.

Managing a game differs from playing or coaching it. Her teaching philosophy enables her to remain calm in the face of frustrated coaches, players, or spectators. She recognizes that they share her passion for hockey, which can sometimes manifest in less constructive ways for some individuals.

She cannot be upset about that, even though she wishes that everyone from coaches to parents could officiate just one game to gain a different perspective on the sport. It might enhance their performance on or off the ice in future games. However, it could also draw them in, just as it did for Ansell. 

“I encourage everyone to give it a shot. If you love the game and seek competition, consider officiating,” she stated.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.