The Western Hockey League released exciting news that the first female lineman in history for the WHL and Canadian Hockey League will be hitting the ice on Friday.

28-year-old Alex Clarke will be on the ice Friday night for the pre-season game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Regina Pats.

Clarke is from Weyburn Saskatchewan and she has the goal of becoming a member of the WHL Officiating team for the 2021-22 season after officiating at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Calgary.

She has a large variety of international experience having been assigned to the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, 2018 4 Nations Cup, and 2018 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Other than her experience on the international stage, Clarke has skated in nearly 300 games in Saskatchewan within the past 3 seasons.

“I have been working towards this for several years now and I believe my development has reached the level required to perform in the WHL. I’m looking forward to the challenges and growth the WHL will bring to my officiating journey, and I’m excited about the potential for other female officials to enjoy similar opportunities in high-level male hockey,” Clarke tells the Western Hockey League in an interview.

WHL Senior Director, Kevin Muench says they’ve been monitoring Clarke for the past several years and have been impressed with her success in Junior A and her recent performance at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

WHL Commissioner Ron Robinson also says that Clarke has proven herself to be a great linesman and that the WHL is welcoming her with open arms.