Aimee Konet's Inspiring Journey as a Hockey Official and Advocate for Women in the Sport
Hockey is a game of speed, finesse, and physicality. Players race up and down the ice as they battle for every shot, hit, pass, and goal. The game is managed and controlled by team officials who are led by the referee (ref) (two referees in some leagues) and two "linesmen." Officials must manage the game by fairly interpreting and enforcing the rules as they move to keep pace with play. It's a mental and physical position that requires a high degree of toughness in both areas.
A Start in Hockey in Texas
In Montana, one hockey official is working hard to make her mark on the game and open doors for other women to pursue their dreams on the ice.
Aimee Konet grew up mainly in Houston, Texas, and came to the game later as a senior in high school. She learned about the opportunity through a local newspaper advertisement about a local league needing more players.
"I remember shopping with my Dad for my first pair of hockey skates. Luckily, he knew we needed to sharpen them before stepping on the ice. Konet became instantly hooked on the sport. "After the first game, I fell in love with the sport and haven't looked back," Konet said.
Friends in Missoula Inspired Konet to Start Officiating Hockey
A big reason Konet started officiating hockey was a simple one: She said it was to make friends and be on the ice. Her journey of donning the stripes and whistle began when she moved from Portland to Missoula during COVID-19 in October 2020. She explained that she moved to Missoula for two reasons: the rinks were open, and she had hockey friends who lived there. Her job shifting to remote helped make the transition to Montana happen.
Konet working a game between the University of Montana and Providence
(Photo: mcwhal_photos)
Shortly after moving to Missoula, she went out with some friends who helped inspire her to pursue the craft. "They" [her friends] ended up all being refs, and the entire night would not stop talking about all their officiating stories, mostly of which revolved around road trips and hanging out after the games," Konet added.
She was so inspired to get into the world of hockey officiating that she registered to become a hockey official.
"Based on their [her friends'] stories and my being new to town, I decided it would be a fun way to meet other people and have more ice time," said Konet.
A Hockey Officiating Trailblazer in Montana
Since becoming a hockey official in the fall of 2020, Konet has quickly risen through the ranks, working almost every level in Montana from 10 and under to Junior A, adult league, and American Collegiate Hockey Association games (ACHA).
As a junior and ACHA college hockey official, she has earned the respect of many coaches.
"The big thing about reffing at the junior level is the ability of a referee to keep up with the play and be in a position to make the calls, and Aimee does a great job at both those things," said Butte Irish Head Coach Brodeur.
Montana Tech Head Coach Dave Rathgeber is another coach who had some great things to say about Konet.
Konet keeping the peace in a Helena Bighorns and Gillette Wild Junior A NA3HL game
(Photo: Gary Marshall)
"She was very composed and professional when she stepped up to ref our ACHA game against the Idaho State Bengals—as the only ref in a three-official system, she did an excellent job controlling the game," he said.
Konet loves working on the state's significant events, such as college and junior hockey.
Working Junior A and College Hockey in Montana
"Each level poses its challenges and different types of fun. The North American 3 League (NA3HL)[ Junior A] and ACHA games are always a blast, especially when the crowds get into them, and it's the best hockey we have here. The players on the ice are also fun to interact with, which you can't do as much at the youth level," Konet said.
Right now, shes the only active female ref from Montana skating these [college and junior hockey] games, but a big she wanted to shout out to Jenna Janshen out of Miles City for paving the way. She made it possible for the rest of us (females) to be successful at these levels and continues to provide mentorship. For the NA3, we have also been super fortunate this season to bring in other females from out of state and had the first all-female crew earlier this season.
Regarding her work and achievements, one stands out to Konet.
Inspiring a New Generation in Montana
"My biggest success so far was an interaction with a fan between periods of the Helena-Gillete [Junior A NA3HL] game on September 29th. I was heading to use the bathroom when a fan stopped me and said that her daughter was starting to skate this season because she wanted to be a hockey player growing up," she explained. "But during this game, she decided she wanted to grow up and be a ref," exclaimed Konet. She said there is no greater success than inspiring the next generation and showing young girls they, too, belong on the ice.
The game of hockey can present challenges for an official. Konet said the mental aspect of officiating can be challenging.
Konet ready to drop the puck for a faceoff in a game between Helena and Gillette in the NA3HL
(Photo: Gary Marshall)
Officiating Hockey Can be Challenging
"Throughout the season, you have some really good games and then some really tough ones." Navigating how to handle those tough games both during and afterward is probably the hardest part of officiating," said Konet. She added, "Learning from them is just as important as moving on."
Konet Aspires to Work in the PWHL
Konet still has some goals she would like to reach. Long-term, she would love to work as an official in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), which started in 2023 and has surged in popularity. She also said it would be great to keep all of her teeth as part of her mother's wish.
