Photo credit: Darren Francis
The BCHL announced today that referee Jamie Pavia has been hired by the ECHL.
The 26-year-old has been working in the BCHL for five years and has been officiating for six total.
“This means a lot to me,” said Pavia. This will be my first experience in pro hockey, which tells me that I’m moving in the right direction.”
During his time in the BCHL, Pavia worked in two Fred Page Cup Finals, as well as two Top Prospects Game, the 2025 All-Star Game and the 2024 Rocky Mountain Challenge.
“The BCHL has done a lot for my development,” he said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some of the best junior hockey officials in Canada as well as numerous professionals. Being able to learn from those people has helped my game dramatically.”
“On behalf of the BCHL, I would like to congratulate Jamie on this great accomplishment,” said Brad Lazarowich, Vice President of Hockey Operations and head of the league’s Officiating Department. “Jamie has been one of the top-rated referees in our league in recent years, which is why he worked our championship series the past two seasons. This hiring highlights how our program continues to give our officials every opportunity to achieve their officiating goals.”
“There is no one better to learn from than Brad [Lazarowich],” said Pavia. “I don’t know if I could have asked for more than to learn from someone with 30 years of NHL experience. Working with him consistently has taken my career to the next level.”
Pavia is the second BCHL official to move on to professional hockey after Ben Betker was hired by the National Hockey League earlier this summer.
