Submitted by Hockey Manitoba
WINNIPEG – It is with great sadness that Hockey Manitoba must announce the passing of official Neil Dilworth (Mar 2/1975 – Mar 30/2018).
Neil began his officiating career working minor hockey in APHA in his youth. With experience he advanced to working AA and AAA and High School categories of hockey. He obtained his Level IV Officiating and joined the officiating crews of the MMJHL and MJHL. He was selected to officiate in the World U17 Tournament hosted in Stonewall and Selkirk in 2002.
Later that spring Neil was accepted as a recruit to the RCMP and took a leave from officiating hockey to attend Depot. In 2002 after graduating he was posted to Northwest Territories where he represented their Branch at the 2003 Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick.
In 2007 Neil was posted to Brandon and upon his return joined the Referee Development Program mentoring young officials when time would allow. He also became actively involved with supervising/mentoring MJHL and Senior games and officials in the Westman Region. In 2012 Neil was transferred to Winnipeg and he served on the Officials Development Committee as Manager of High Performance and continued to be actively involved as a mentor and game supervisor.
Neil leaves to mourn his wife, Leah and his 2 school aged daughters, Audrey and Alyx. Neil’s dedication to the program benefited many young developing officials and he will be missed in the program.
