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RANKIN INLET - Hockey officials from across the Kivalliq region gathered for an annual certification clinic in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The clinic was the largest held in the Kivalliq, with 22 officials attending the three-day event.

The clinic was sponsored by the Hockey North Branch and facilitated by Branch referee-in-chief and Level 4 official Darrell Greer.

Six of the seven Kivalliq communities had at least two officials attend the training session, with only Chesterfield Inlet not represented.

Officials who travelled from outside of Rankin were helped financially by Sport Nunavut.

The clinic featured an introductory session the first evening, followed by a full eight hours of classroom instruction the next day.

It wrapped up with a 90-minute on-ice session the final day before the officials returned to their communities.

Earning Level 1 status were Brian Tattuinee of Rankin Inlet, Johnny Parker, Nehemiah Kabloona and Charles Oosuaq of Baker Lake, Kelly Owlijoot and Douglas Ollie of Arviat, Tommy Igviksak, Jonathan Ekwalak, Lazarus Teenar, Sandi Hickes and Joefrey Okalik of Whale Cove, Jon Ell Tinashlu and Sam Sanertanut of Repulse Bay, and Nick Nakoolak, Joseph Nakoolak and Tommy Jar of Coral Harbour.

Baker's Kent dePeuter and Rankin's David Clark and Justin Merritt obtained their Level 2, while Rankin's Donald Clark and new Hockey Nunavut Zone referee-in-chief Max MacDonald retained Level 3 status.

Many of the first-time officials cited a need for hockey referees in their community as the reason for their participation.

Owlijoot said the Arviat Senior Men's Hockey League got off to a good start this past year, and he wanted to help keep the league strong.

"It's always good to understand the rules better anyway, said Owlijoot.

"But the main reason I came was so I can ref in the Arviat senior league this year and see if I like it or not."

DePeuter earned his Level 1 certificate at a clinic in Baker this past year.

He was the first in his community to sign up for the regional clinic in Rankin this year.

"I really learned a lot at last year's clinic," said dePeuter.

"I officiated every chance I had last year and really enjoyed the experience.

"So, I wanted to get my Level 2 and continue on to see how far I can take this."