The Ontario Hockey League announced on Thursday that Kirsten Welsh will become the first female linesperson to participate in a game.
The #OHL is proud to congratulate Kirsten Welsh, who will become the first woman linesperson in League history tonight in Mississauga.
DETAILS: https://t.co/X0cxtju32q pic.twitter.com/Dfsc6Ysu1G— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) September 30, 2021
Welsh will be a linesperson when the Mississauga Steelheads square off against the Guelph Storm during a pre-season game on Thursday.
“This is an incredible opportunity and I can’t really put into words what it feels like to be working in the Ontario Hockey League,” said Welsh. “Being an advocate and having this opportunity, I just feel so lucky."
Welsh brings a plethora of officiating experience to this role from NCAA III and NAPHL in Pennsylvania. She was one of four women to officiate in the NHL for the first time during the Buffalo Sabres’ pre-season prospects tournament.
Welsh, 24, was born in Blackstock, Ont. She was the captain of the Robert Morris University women's hockey team from 2015-19, where she recorded 91 points over 128 regular-season games.
Welsh will also work Friday's OHL pre-season game between the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires and will get regular assignments during the upcoming OHL regular season.
