BC HOCKEY AWARDS: OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD - MITCHELL GIBBS
By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO
Mitchell Gibbs is on a strong trajectory.
The 24-year-old on-ice official, who regularly works as a linesperson in the Western Hockey League (WHL), is hoping to one day take his talents to the top – the National Hockey League (NHL).
His work has not gone unnoticed as the product of the Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association has – within the last year - officiated at the 2025 IIHF World Men's U18 Division 1 Group B event in Lithuania; 2025 USports Men's University Cup; 2025 Ray Stonehouse Cup, the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Championship series; 2025 and 2024 Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL) Championship series; 2024 BC Hockey Officiating Program of Excellence (OPoE) Instructor; and the 2024 Youth Olympic Games, in Gangneung, Korea.
For that, Gibbs is named the winner of BC Hockey’s Official of the Year Award.
“Seeing the previous winners of the award is what stood out to me the most,” Gibbs, who just returned home from the 2025 Memorial Cup, said of receiving the honour. “The accolades they’ve earned.
“They’re all people that I look up to as well and model some of the things in my career after, too. It’s an honour, in that light, and I’m very fortunate because there are tons of other people who are just as deserving, so I’m humbled.”
Gibbs, who has also worked events such as the Cyclone Taylor Cup and the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, is a graduate of the BC Hockey’s Summer Officiating School in 2016 and graduate of Hockey Canada's Officiating Program of Excellence (OPoE).
He continues to progress within the Hockey Canada Officiating Pathway, excelling amongst his peers and representing the officiating program with an elite level of professionalism and performance.
“More international competitions, but the NHL is the big goal for me,” he replied when asked of his future goals. “I’m trying to get as close to that as I can, but I’d love to do more international tournaments - World Juniors, World Championships and the Olympics. That would be the other goals for myself. The 2030 (Olympics) is what’s circled in my calendar -something to work toward.”
Starting at the age of 13, Gibbs made a steady progression through Coquitlam Minor Hockey before working Junior A games at ages 17 and 18.
“For me, what I try and focus on is putting in the work – training, nutrition, focusing on rules knowledge. The more effort and work you put into something the better the results,” he said. “That’s my philosophy.
“If you’re going to take days off, make excuses for yourself, you’re not going to help yourself out, but if you can eliminate all the doubt and put in all the extra work behind the scenes, that will be a key factor in your success.”
He’s worked his way through BC Hockey and Hockey Canada regional camps, where staff track your progression. He’s had a lot of people to thank along the way, including Kirk Wood (BC Hockey’s High Performance Officiating Coach).
“There have been so many people, but Kirk Wood was one of the one who identified me early on and had trust in me. But so many more have helped me out for sure,” said Gibbs, who now heads into his off-season where he will continue his personal training until the pre-season returns.
“The off-season is a time where you can put more focus and emphasis on off-ice training, which is something I always try and do in the summer. It’ll be nice to dial that in and help my body get to be where it needs to be for the next season,” he said.