The Catamount Tribune is a monthly avenue for UVM student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and fans to tell unique stories in their own words. The fourth edition of the Catamount Tribune reveals the international officiating career of former women's hockey captain Chelsea Rapin '12. Interested in sharing your story for the Catamount Tribune? Please click here or visit go.uvm.edu/tribune.

I grew up in "Hockeytown", the home of the Detroit Red Wings. Hockey was a staple in my upbringing. I often traveled to Canada to play in tournaments on the weekends, which always accompanied a trip to the local Tim Hortons for a post game doughnut (only if I scored of course!). My dream was to play college hockey and then try out for the Olympic team.
 
In the Fall of 2008, I started my freshman year at the University of Vermont. I fell in love with this small town from the moment I arrived. I played four years for the Catamounts while earning my undergraduate degree in Exercise and Movement Science. Once I had played my last competitive Division I hockey game at the Gut, I remember thinking to myself, "now what?" Instead of going to a workout with the team, what was I going to do? I knew another two years of school remained for my Doctorate, but I needed a new hobby.
   
I picked up refereeing youth ice hockey as a way for a little extra cash during my senior year. It was something that I would do on Sundays and evenings when I didn't have hockey. So I decided to continue with this as a little hobby after my competitive hockey career ended (since I knew the Olympic tryouts were no longer an option).
 
Refereeing was far different than playing in many ways. When I played, the goal for me was to be in the game, be a part of the action. Refereeing is the complete opposite. Referees don't want to be in the game. They don't want to get hit by a puck or a player. Their goal is not to be a part of the game unless they have to, calling an icing or an offside, or even a penalty if need be. So you can only imagine how my first few games went, but I quickly learned not to get hit by the puck and get out of the way!
 
Soon enough, I ended up getting noticed by some officials and was recruited to go to regional camp. This was a camp for female referees to learn more about officiating and to improve their skills. It was great to meet other female officials from not only around the country but internationally as well.
 
In May of 2014, I finally graduated from the University of Vermont with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I decided to stay around the great city of Burlington and continue to referee ice hockey. I worked my way up through the rankings and went on to elite camp. Here, female referees are in the mix for becoming international licensed officials. Later that Fall, I found out that I had received my international officiating license.  
 
A year later, I received my first international assignment. I was going to Mexico City to referee an Olympic Qualification round. I learned a lot that week, met some great female officials, and got to experience the great Mexican culture while visiting several different tourist attractions. In Mexico, I saw the potential for further development as a referee and wanted to continue to progress.
 
That Fall, I decided to start officiating college hockey. I started with Women's Division III ice hockey. During my playing career, I can remember my nervous excitement for every game. This feeling seemed to translate to refereeing. After my first season working college hockey, I was lucky enough to be invited to officiate the Women's Division III Frozen Four in my home state of Michigan. As a player, this was something I wanted to be a part of and was honored to experience it as an official. 
 
I had reached my goal of earning an international assignment and working at a Frozen Four, so I made a new goal. I wanted to be a involved with an International World Championship. I figured I would have to wait a couple of years, but this Spring I received an email asking if I was available in April to go to South Korea to officiate the World Championships for Division IIA. After a quick moment of "is this really happening?" I said yes! Before I knew it, April was here and I was getting on a plane to South Korea.

After a nearly 14-hour flight and a three-hour car ride, I arrived in the city of Gangneung, where ice hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics will take place. I got to referee several different countries that week, including Korea (South) and DPR Korea (North). During this tournament, there was a celebration for International Day of Sport for Development and Peace through the International Olympic Committee. On this day, Korea and DPR Korea played each other. I received another great opportunity and was honored to referee this game. There were close to 5,800 people in the stands, but what I will remember the most is both of the teams staying on the ice to take pictures together, setting politics aside.
 
Growing up, my dream was to try out for the Olympic team. Unfortunately, those days have passed and that dream is gone. But this recent international assignment has created a new dream: representing the United States as an official in another world championship tournament or potentially the Olympics.
 
Making a difference in the sport of hockey from a different perspective. That is my new dream.