Cianna Murray (BSKI’17, BEd’18)

One to Watch Award

This award recognizes a young alumnus/alumna who is making significant personal and professional contributions in society, resulting in a demonstrable betterment of their community, and setting an example for fellow and future alumni to follow.

 

Cianna Murray (BSKI’17, BEd’18) is an accomplished international ice hockey referee whose career has been defined by excellence, leadership, and a lasting impact on the growth of the game. Beginning her officiating journey at just 12 years old, Murray has since become one of Canada’s top officials, representing the country at multiple Olympic Winter Games and IIHF Women’s World Championships.

Murray grew up in Cudworth, Sask., and earned two degrees at the University of Saskatchewan (USask): A Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2017and a Bachelor of Education in 2018. Currently teaching Grade 7 in rural Saskatchewan, Murray is committed to education and to community, bringing her passion and dedication from the rink into her work as a teacher in the classroom. Beyond her elite officiating career, she has dedicated time to mentoring young officials, particularly girls and women, through clinics, camps, and one-on-one guidance, helping to create inclusive pathways in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her volunteerism also extends to local hockey programs and schools in Saskatchewan, where she shares her experiences and inspires young people to pursue their dreams.

Murray is reaching her own dreams by consistently breaking barriers in the sport, becoming one of the first women to referee in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and the second female official in the Western Hockey League (WHL), while also earning assignments in elite professional leagues such as the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Murray represented Canada at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in women’s hockey, including being selected as the head official for the gold medal game, and has officiated five consecutive IIHF Women’s World Championships (2021–2025), including the gold medal game in 2024. She has also worked at other prestigious international events, such as the Winter Youth Olympic Games and the Rivalry Series between Canada and the U.S.

A leader within the officiating community, Murray’s work with young officials in the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association to improve the diversity and integrity of hockey is a noteworthy accomplishment. She has embraced being an ambassador for the Hockey Saskatchewan Officiating Development Program (ODP) and she is always willing to take interviews, answer questions, or provide support in any way she can.

In her various roles, Murray is described as a constant professional who can adapt between the different versions of the playing rules she needs to know based on the multiple leagues she officiates, and she has been lauded for the respect she shows to all participants. In 2025, she became the first female referee in Centennial Cup history, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the sport. Through her professionalism, resilience, and commitment to giving back, Murray is well positioned to continue to elevate the standard of officiating while serving as a powerful role model and advocate for the advancement of women in hockey.