Katie Guay
Referee | ECAC Hockey
It was an Oct. 9, 2015, game between Union and Sacred Heart, both schools’ first game of the regular season, and one that ended in a 1-1 draw. It was a pretty uneventful game from afar, but one that bore a greater significance than a final scoreline. It broke a glass ceiling.
The game was when Katie Guay (Westfield, Mass.) became the first female referee in Division 1 men’s collegiate hockey. Guay, a former forward at Brown University and assistant coach at Nobles, simply viewed officiating as a way to stay in the game, and the men’s ranks weren’t even her original goal.
An ECAC ref, she had her eyes originally set on international women’s tournaments and the women’s Frozen Four, though she now has the 2018 Winter Olympics in her crosshairs.
"It’s an avenue that isn’t often taken by former players, but I hope it continues to grow because we all know the rules," Guay said. "As a ref, you’re in the game, you’re part of the game, the adrenaline is flowing. You’re out there hopefully not impacting it too much."
In her growth, Guay credited referee legend Paul Stewart but stressed that having a female ref on the men’s hockey side isn’t revolutionary. She just considers herself among the lucky few who have made the jump, a move that has allowed her to visit nearly 15 countries.
So for girls looking to stay in the game after college, Guay, with a glass ceiling broken stateside, has a simple message.
"The opportunities are endless," Guay said. "I’ve been able to see the world through officiating and meet incredible people from across the globe. It’s an incredible way to stay on the ice, a great opportunity to set new goals and have the chance to maybe obtain my goals of wearing the stripes at the highest level." — JONATHAN SIGAL
Dr. Robert Cantu
Co-founder | Concussion Legacy Foundation
A Boston-area physician and author of the book "Concussions and Our Kids," Cantu is co-founder and medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and has been at the forefront of CTE research in hockey and other sports.
Kenny Rausch
Director, youth ice hockey | USA Hockey
A Danbury, Conn., native and BU alum, he’s coached at his alma mater, Niagara, plus Babson and UMass-Lowell. Director of youth hockey for USA Hockey since 2009, he overseeing youth programs, championships and devo camps, including the U.S. National Under-17 Team.
Bob Rotondo
GM | Boston Shamrocks
Rotondo is a jack-of-all-trades in the region’s hockey scene, but his roles as general manager of the Boston Shamrocks and founder of the Northeast Women’s Hockey League have made him a longtime pioneer for the women’s game. He also serves as a goaltending instructor and manages Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, Mass., where the Boston Bruins held practice sessions for nearly three decades before the new Warrior Ice Arena opened last year.
