The Olympics in Vancouver will be a global spectacle viewed on television by billions worldwide.
But avid hockey fan and perpetual volunteer, Wes Jamieson, will be close enough to see condensation on the glass as 12 nations battle for Olympic hockey supremacy.
Wes Jamieson quickly presses the button to turn on the red light for the Calgary Hitmen's first goal of the game.
Jamieson, an ICT instructor at SAIT, is set to pack his bags and venture westward as an off-ice official in one of the most anticipated hockey events of the century.
“It’s a thrill,” Jamieson said. “I’m not young anymore, but it will add to a lifetime of highlights.”
Jamieson’s vast experience as an off-ice official can be traced back 15 years, when he started as a member of the off-ice crew for the inaugural game of the Calgary Hitmen franchise.
Pat Franks, an instructor of plumbing at SAIT, will also traverse to the coast as an off-ice official. Both will partake in the Olympic dream as time keepers and statistic trackers.
Franks and Jamieson applied for the positions on their own accord.
Franks says it will be a bit easier knowing his SAIT colleague will be along for the ride of a lifetime.
“Each and every day brings the Olympics closer and I get a little bit more excited,” Franks said.
Deb de Looze, a member of the Hitmen Ice Crew, said she jokes with Jamieson on a consistent basis.
“He knows a lot of jokes and is easy to get along with,” she said.
Jamieson has activated the button behind the goal countless times without hesitation, causing the bright red light to flash for all to see.
Once, years ago, in a Hitmen playoff game against the Kootenay Ice, Jamieson remembered inadvertently turning the goal light on. In an instant a Kootenay Ice flag hit him in the back of the head.
Security shuffled towards the projectile thrower and escorted him out.
“He even asked for his flag back,” Jamieson said. “Sometimes the hardest part of the job is not turning on the light.”
Each off-ice crew is made up of 10 members who rotate responsibilities, which include timekeeping, goal judging and statistic keeping.
Jamieson, a native of Lamont, Alta., has also volunteered for the Mac’s Midget tournament, girls’ under 14 world tournaments, the World Police and Fire Games, Trojans’ games, University of Calgary Dino’s games, and is on the backup list for both the women’s and men’s national team games.
As a devoted follower of Canada’s game, Jamieson’s passion for the sport is unrivalled.
He has called Calgary home for 40 years. Three crews will travel to Vancouver and each crew is in charge of officiating two games per day, totalling 20 games throughout the tournament.
Unfortunately one crew will miss out on the chance to officiate the gold medal games.
Jamieson can barely contain his excitement when thinking about the prospect of being involved in such an epic event. The odds, at least, are on his side.
Jamieson said being situated behind the goal offers a unique perspective and shows you how quick the games are. It makes you appreciate all facets of the game.
“I have the best seat in the arena,” he said. “It’s hard not to feel somewhat involved.”
Incredibly, all off-ice officials pay their own way to the Winter Games. Only meals and uniforms will be supplied.
Money, however, has never had any bearing on his decisions. It is an opportunity most people look at with envy and dream about. The event also gives Jamieson a chance to catch up with his cousin, whom he has not spent considerable time with in years.
He has seen a lot of superior hockey in his days as an off-ice official, but nothing could possibly rouse more emotion than this grand occasion.
“It has been a good ride,” Jamieson said.
With the help of 18,000 screaming fans at General Motors Place, the ‘ride’ will surely reach its peak.
