Langford’s Aiden Small had plenty of long days at the rink before, but nothing quite compared to four straight in Buffalo from Aug. 14 - 17.
Small was one of five Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) officials invited to the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine at the HarborCenter, a four-day event aimed at testing and developing the next wave of referees and linesmen.
He joined VIJHL referee Keagan Abbott and fellow linesmen Tyler Pang, Sasha Perron, and Matt Williams.
In all, 12 officials from the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) were part of this year’s camp, which drew participants from across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Our 1️⃣2️⃣ officials have landed at this year’s NHL Officiating Combine in Buffalo, along with VP of Hockey Ops Brad Lazarowich!
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) August 15, 2025
Good luck to everyone this week! pic.twitter.com/oYJRgXD82x
“It was a lot of fitness, it was hard,” Small said. “The whole Friday kind of just goes by in the blink of an eye. You wake up early, and before you know it, you’re back in your hotel room absolutely exhausted. But it was a very, very fun experience overall.”
Small has been a fixture around junior rinks on the Island for more than a decade.
He first pulled on stripes with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association in 2012 and has since worked hundreds of games between the BCHL and VIJHL.
For him, the chance to head to Buffalo came after conversations with BCHL officiating supervisor Brad Lazarowich, who helps put forward local officials for consideration.
Back in May, Small opened his inbox to find an email from the NHL with his invitation.
“It’s exciting opening your email inbox and seeing that NHL logo,” Small said. “Every child dreams of playing in the NHL. For me, that was never really realistic as a player, but as an official, it’s not out of the question. Seeing that logo on an email signature was very surreal.”
The combine mixed on-ice games with conditioning tests and workshops.
What stood out most to Small wasn’t just the drills, but the NHL officials he worked alongside.
“They’re all very professional, very eager to help, and just genuinely good people,” Small said. “The biggest thing I took away was the way they carry themselves. That’s something I want to model myself after.”
As for his long-term goals, Small didn't hesitate.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the NHL,” he said. “Anyone who takes officiating seriously wants to get there one day. Even if it’s the AHL or ECHL, just being on the ice with professional players would be incredible.”
For now, Small will be back on familiar ground soon enough. His next assignment comes in Lake Cowichan at the end of August, working exhibition games in the VIJHL.
