“The Right Way”

Moncton’s own Ross Welner might not be at the top of the all time list for games officiated in the QMJHL, but that certainly doesn’t mean the quiet passionate ref hasn’t left an indelible mark on the Q officiating fraternity.

Welner is lacing them for one last time in the QMJHL on Sunday when the Victoriaville Tigres take on the Moncton Wildcats.

Welner has never been a flashy ref or ever craved the spotlight when he threw on the stripes and bands.

Simply put when it came to the game, his role within it and tenure in the CHL Welner did it the right way and there’s definitely something to be said about that.

Ross Welner has worn more than the orange bands on his sleeve he wore his heart.

It takes a special kind of courage and confidence to wear the stripes, but especially when you throw on the bands. The power and responsibility of the orange bands are often times too much to handle for some especially if their not comfortable within their own skin.

That power and control never over took Welner if anything it grounded him even more.

Welner approached every game (minor hockey or major junior hockey) with the same sense of pride, honour, dignity, poise and passion. He may not have been flashy or arrogant, but he wasn’t a push over either. Welner exudes a quiet confidence and professionalism that only few possess.

Welner’s knowledge of the rules, the game and ability to gauge the temperature of it is incredibly noteworthy and something all young officials should aspire to possess. In every facet of the game Ross Welner did it his way, which was the right way.

Welner and his twin brother Jesse put on the stripes at a young age. Wearing the stripes becomes a way of life, a calling, but it’s not without its ups and downs especially early on. When young people put on the stripes they unfortunately become a target. Those experiences always galvanize and shape officials, but they provide a critical foundation in which to build.

Welner’s foundation is one of respect, honesty and integrity. From Moncton to Saskatchewan, on to Red Deer, Welner’s chosen profession in Corrections also provided an opportunity to live out a dream to officiate at the highest level possible and continue to cut his teeth as an official in the wild wild west, the WHL.

One can only imagine how difficult it must have been to be the “new guy” some 3,500 Km’s away from home. The lessons learned in the rinks back home paid dividends in Welner’s first foray in the WHL.

After three seasons in the WHL, Welner made the trek back home and continued to apply his craft in the QMJHL.

After 12 years travelling the roads and skating on the ice in the QMJHL, it’s time for Welner to step away.

“I was humbled when Ross asked me to be on the ice with him for his last QMJHL hockey game,” said veteran Q linesmen Jay Doiron.

“Ross has always been a great friend to me and a very strong support system. He was always there to share a compassionate thought, compliment, and just say things at the right time; whether it be work related, or hockey related.”

“I’m gonna miss sharing the ice with him, and the hours spent together travelling from rink to rink. Ross made the tough decision to step away from the rink, and I wish him the very best with his family and job,” Doiron said.

“Ross referees the game the same way he conducts himself in life, with charisma, effort, integrity and passion,” said QMJHL linesman Matt Hicks.

“Ross cares deeply about the game and always works hard to make sure the game is played fairly and safely,” added Hicks.

“He’s an awesome guy in the dressing room and in the car. You won’t find a human on planet earth that dislikes Ross Welner.”

“Ross was probably one of the first guys that I really worked with as a mentor,” said former QMJHL official Mike MacDonnell.

“To this day we have become really good friends. Ross to me is just all around a great person. He always treats people with respect and always takes ownership of his actions.”

“On the ice he was always respectful of everyone and I always looked forward to the road trips with him. There was never an ego with Ross, no politics, let’s just do the best job we can as a team out there, that’s how he approached things out there,” MacDonnell said.

“At every level we worked it was always have fun and respect the guys didn’t matter who he worked or what level. Let’s just have fun and work hard.”

“I would like to take this opportunity and just like to say congratulations to Ross on a great career. Wish I could be on the ice with him, but I’ll will be in the stands and waiting at the door when he comes off the ice.”

“Ross is the ultimate teammate and friend. His passion for people, friends, family and the game is hard to match,” said fellow QMJHL ref Jeff Hopkins.

“Ross moved into an apartment with me and Ryan Murphy when he was 18 when I took a job in Moncton and he was going to college. He was a young official learning the game at the time, while Murphy and I were working in the Q. He was like a little brother to us. Becoming a sponge to learn from us, asking questions, talking over scenarios, just looking to get better. So when he was hired I could not be more proud of him,” Hopkins said.

“Ross has become a great official through his years in the Q and WHL. He has passion and pride when he is on the ice has been evident through his career.”

“What sets Ross apart from others is his passion for people. He is loved by all his teammates for his charisma, selflessness and just being a good person. He is always the first to reach out when you get a big assignment, reach a goal, or need some encouragement or compassion. Just is his nature, when I was selected for the Memorial Cup Final, I think Ross Welner was more excited than even I could be. He is just that type of guy,” said Hopkins.

“He has become a great friend to me and I am honoured to be asked to work his final game with him. Seeing him come from an 18 year old kid, to see what he has become as a husband and dad and to make the decision to walk away for his career and family, it fills me with pride.”

“Ross will be missed on the ice, but his impact on the people he has come across in his career will be long lasting and will continue in the friendships he has made,” said Hopkins proudly.

“I scouted Ross through Don Koharski’s Camp and was invited by the Q to an MHL pre-season jamboree in Summerside,” said Larry “Magic” Christian QMJHL Supervisor of Officials.

“Ross and Matt Hicks worked together and I had asked Ross to work on a few things and he was hired a year later.”

“Ross like many other officials I have seen or scouted always wanted to improve and Ross was no different,” Christian added.

“He was always very keen to learn how to improve and was a sponge in the room after the games, and always open to constructive criticism.”

“It was rewarding to see him improve over the years not just in the QMJHL but AUS and MHL,” Christian added.

“This position is trying at times and rewarding at times I admire the factor that Ross has his properties in order, he has a young family and a new job that are demanding as is officiating. Family always comes first.”

“For me and I’m sure the entire supervision staff Ross will always be part of the very special QMJHL officiating family even in retirement and beyond,” said Christian.

Comparisons in the game of hockey are often times unfair, especially when it comes to officials or players alike. Scouts make comparisons all of the time, to help justify or confirm their thoughts and projections on certain players.

Many players that possess quiet talent or the honest players out there sometimes get overlooked, are unappreciated or undervalued. Only their teammates and coaches know and recognize their true value and impact. Ross Welner was the epitome of “quiet talent” and an “honest player” when it came to wearing the stripes. Every time Ross Welner laced them up you knew what you were going to get……everything he had.

Ross Welner did it the right way.