Beyond the Whistle: Christopher Charles
by
Ethan Page
Beyond the Whistle development Officials
Like most Canadians, hockey has always been a passion for Christopher Charles – despite taking an unconventional path to the game.
Growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Charles was first introduced to the sport through his father. One evening, he walked into his parents’ room and found his dad watching hockey on TV.
“I asked him what it was, he said it was hockey. I joined him, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked,” Charles shared.
His father took him to Winnipeg Jets games, including matchups against the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the most memorable one, the Detroit Red Wings.
“My Dad and I were sitting right on the glass. A Jets player hit Steve Yzerman into the boards right in front of me and I jumped,” Charles recalled. “My Dad had a good laugh, and the Jets won 4-2.”
Despite his deep love for the game, Charles never played hockey growing up. Instead, his childhood was filled with a variety of other sports, including Kung Fu, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
“It was only after university that I bought my first pair of skates at 24,” Charles said. “That night I went to the local outdoor rink to skate and loved it. I ended up buying a wood stick, some mittens, and started playing shinny with my new friends.”
Charles’ hockey journey took an unexpected turn when, in his career as an actor, he landed an audition for a role that required him to be a hockey player. He purchased full gear on a credit card, however, when he didn’t get the role, the equipment sat unused.
“I had all this gear sitting around doing nothing,” Charles explained. “I then went to an adult beginner hockey group, skated a few times a week and joined a team, playing my first organized game of hockey at 27 years old. 10 years later, I’m still hooked!”
Looking for a new perspective on the game he loved, Charles searched for avenues to experience hockey in a different light. A quick Google search led Charles to find the GTHL’s Officials Fast-Track Program. The program provides those with hockey experience to accelerate their development in the officiating realm.
“When it came to refereeing, I was looking for another way to impact the game, have some fun and to be involved in a different way,” Charles explained. “[Finding the GTHL’s] Fast Track program allowed me to [officiate] some impactful games right from the beginning.”
The transition from player to referee, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Coming into officiating without a traditional playing background gave Charles a unique perspective — one that worked both as a strength and a challenge.
“A lot of the gamesmanship things that players do, I simply won’t tolerate,” Charles said. “And when it comes to abuse from fans and coaches, I have thick skin. But I’ve had to study the rulebook and constantly ask senior officials questions to refine my understanding of the game from a referee’s standpoint.”
To enhance his knowledge, Charles joined online referee forums, read manuals before games, and remained open to feedback from experienced officials. He acknowledges that constructive criticism helps, though he filters out the negativity that lacks relevance.
One of his biggest lessons in respect to officiating came as a player, on his way to the penalty box, says Charles.
“Instead of arguing, I’d just ask, ‘Hey ref, what did you see there?’ I’d sometimes get a few sentences back, and it really changed how I viewed the game.”
As a Black official, Charles explains that Black representation in hockey is also deeply important. “When I see Black parents and coaches at the rink, it makes me smile and feel a little less alone,” he said. “We all love the game, and while hockey has a long way to go in becoming more inclusive, representation matters.”
Charles credits his growth to the mentorship of Rob Brown and Zach Miske, along with many others who have encouraged him along the way.
