WHL Welcomes First Female Linesperson

After working towards her goal for several years, Alex Clarke became the first female linesperson in WHL and Canadian Hockey League history when she took to the ice for the WHL Pre-Season game between the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors.

Clarke, a native of Weyburn, Sask., is set to become a member of the WHL Officiating team for the 2021-22 season after officiating at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Calgary, Alta.

For the past several years, the WHL has been monitoring Alex’s development and progression as an official. Not only was she highly successful in Junior A, but her recent performance at the IIHF Women’s World Championship was highlighted by her assignment to the Bronze Medal game. 

The 28-year-old has extensive international experience, having been assigned to the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Division 1, Group B), 2018 4 Nations Cup, and 2018 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Division II, Group B).

Clarke has also skated close to 300 games in Saskatchewan since the 2017-18 season, including in the:

• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League;
• Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA League;
• U SPORTS Women’s Hockey;
• Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA League;
• Prairie Junior Hockey League.

Clarke also played four years at College of St. Scholastica (NCAA – Division III) in Duluth, Minn., captaining her team during her final season (2014-15). Through 107 career regular season games, Clarke tallied 63 points (12G-51A) as a defender.

Following her college career, Clarke was drafted by the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) but due to a knee injury, retired. Since retiring in 2015, Clarke has been officiating as a member of Hockey Saskatchewan.