Krzyzaniak to take part in NHL Exposure Combine

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Published on Monday, July 14, 2014

By: Lanny Stewart

myWestman.ca

After a junior hockey career that saw Neepawa’s Kyle Krzyzaniak spend time in the WHL and MJHL, the 22-year-old has turned his attention to officiating the game and is hoping an NHL combine he’ll be attending in August can help increase his chances of furthering his career as a referee.

Krzyzaniak, who has stopped playing competitive hockey and is currently attending the University of Manitoba, will be heading to Buffalo, Aug. 15-17 to take part in a NHL Exposure Combine, designed for up-and-coming referees. According to the official website, the combine will consist of physical on-ice and off-ice testing along with hockey games.

The former defenceman used to referee games in Neepawa several years ago and recently decided to give officiating another try in an effort to make some money while attending school.

“I realized quite quickly that I enjoyed doing it and I’m happy I’m back involved in the game in some form,” he said.

Krzyzaniak was able to work quite a bit of games this past season back in Neepawa. He officiated Tiger Hills Hockey League games among others during the Christmas break and in Winnipeg, he officiated some high school games as well as bantam and midget contests.

He says he found out about the camp while watching the NHL on TSN during the hockey season and noticed well-known hockey insider Bob McKenzie mention the combine.

“They’re trying to target guys right out of college or right out of junior. . . guys who maybe didn’t have a contract or anything like that and just wanted to pursue something else while still in the game of hockey.

“It was supposed to be a recruit-only type of deal, but I continually checked in and applications had opened up to the public,” he said.

“So I sent in the application that was online as well as a resume and kind of a lengthy email about my experience. I was just trying to advertise myself and I was fortunate enough to get selected.”

He says most of the guys selected to take part in the camp are former players like himself.

“I think they feel that some of their best men are guys who have played the game at a fairly high level and were able to adapt and learn quickly,” he added.

He says he's really taken a keen interest in officiating and is hoping this camp can help elevate his career as a hockey referee.

“It’s something that I feel beats a part-time job while attending school,” he said with a smile. “I didn’t think I’d like it when I first started doing it, but I found really, it’s the best seat in the house and it’s the next best thing to playing.”

Krzyzaniak had a 55-game stint with the Neepawa Natives in 2008-2009 and also had brief stops with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings and Spokane Chiefs during his junior career.

Krzyzaniak is the older brother of well-known female hockey player in the Westman area, Halli, who is a current member of the University of North Dakota women’s hockey program and is on Hockey Canada’s radar to make the Team Canada roster for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Krzyzaniak is entering his fourth year at U of M where he is enrolled in the faculty of science program.

In photo: Kyle Krzyzaniak with his sister Halli.

Photo submitted