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North Bay woman wins NOHA Most Deserving Official Award

'Topash has always shown a desire to succeed and sets a good example for younger officials'
20200415 topash official award
Photo courtesy NOHA.

Longtime referee Deb Topash has been recognized by the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) with the Most Deserving Official Award. 

The NOHA made the announcement Wednesday. Traditionally, award winners are recognized at the NOHA Annual General Meeting, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all award winners will be acknowledged via the NOHA and its social media platforms. 

"I am truly humbled for this recognition," she stated via social media about the award.  

"Thank you to the NOHA and OWHA for all the opportunities that I have been given, I am beyond grateful!" 

Deb Topash began officiating in 2010 and the NOHA says she has always shown a desire to succeed and sets a good example for younger officials.

The North Bay resident began assigning officials to games in Powassan, Astorville, Mattawa, and North Bay in 2015/2016. In 2016, Deb was appointed as a Supervisor and attended the NOHA Supervision Seminar in 2017.

"Deb always does her best to coordinate and assign officials needing supervision. She works with other assignors to get all games in the area covered and even skates last-minute assignments due to book-offs or officials unable to skate games for a variety of reasons. The NOHA would like to congratulate Deb Topash on being named the 2019-2020 Most Deserving Official," the NOHA release stated. 

The winner of the Most Deserving Official Award is rated on their own officiating skills, has played a key role in the Officiating Program in the district, and would be sorely missed if they were no longer involved in officiating hockey.