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RANKIN INLET - The 2007-08 season was one to remember for Hockey Canada official Max MacDonald of Rankin Inlet.

The Level 3 official took part in his first Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife this past March, performing well enough to earn the armbands for the gold medal game in the bantam division.

Level 3 official Max MacDonald, left, accepts the Hockey North Branch award for the season's Most Deserving Official from Branch RefereeinChief Darrell Greer in Rankin Inlet this past week. - photo courtesy of Debbie Greer

MacDonald also took part in his first master course conductor (MCC) seminar in Ottawa, this past month.

The MCC helps give experienced officials the skills necessary to conduct training clinics to certify other referees in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program (HCOP).

He will also be attending a leadership program in Red Deer, Alta., this coming September with his branch referee-in-chief.

While attending the MCC, MacDonald found out he was named Hockey North's Most Deserving Official for the past season.

It was his second branch award in the past four years.

MacDonald, 20, said he found the MCC to be interesting and informative.

He said he was quite impressed by the skill level of the seminar instructors.

"I learned a lot in Ottawa and it's really got me excited for the upcoming season," said MacDonald.

"I like the move towards more technology in the clinics, but you still need the technical aspects you get in the workbooks, quizzes and exams.

"It has to be 50-50 for it to be truly effective.

"It's great to show videos and presentations, but you also have to have good conversations with the younger officials and use some good old-fashioned communication."

MacDonald said he decided to start training for the administrative side of the HCOP because he saw the need for more people to be involved with Hockey Nunavut.

He said he really enjoys officiating and hopes to use what he's learned in the past four years to encourage others to join the program.

"Hockey Canada has a great officiating program and having good officials really helps our league in Rankin.

"When you really work at it, hockey officiating can get you to a lot of places and in a lot of great games and it's something I don't want to see fade away in Nunavut.

"I saw a need for more people to help with the HCOP here and decided I'd give it a try."