Melanie Bordeleau was one of 15 female officials assigned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to work at the 2014 Sochi Games.
Playing career[]
Having grown up in Gatineau, Quebec, she earned a gold medal with Team Quebec at the 1997 Canadian Under-18 nationals. This was followed by a silver medal (once again with Quebec) at the 1999 Canada Winter Games. Of note, Winter Games gold medal winning goaltender Charline Labonte, was a teammate of Bordeleau’s on the Winter Games squad. Two seasons of collegiate hockey in Montreal (with Jean-de-Brebeuf) was followed by a stint during the 2001-02 NWHL season as a defender with the now-defunct Ottawa Raiders.
Officiating career[]
In later years, Bordeleau would also serve as an official at the Canada Winter Games, one of the few women in the history of the event to have participated as both a player and an official. During the 2012-13 season, she would also make history as the first female referee for a Midget AAA match in Quebec.
Bordeleau can be seen officiating at Montreal Stars home contests. In addition, she has also served as a referee at the Clarkson Cup, the CWHL’s showcase event Of note, she has been involved in officiating at the IIHF Women’s World Championships from 2011-13. During the 2012 edition, held in Burlington, Vermont, she was the first-ever Canadian to serve as a referee in the gold medal game.
Other officiating assignments in Canada have included the [[Esso Cup] (Canadian national women’s midget hockey champion) along with the 2010 Four Nations Cup in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Other[]
Having served in Canada’s military for three years, she is an avid golfer in her spare time. Currently employed as a registered nurse, she also works with the homeless in downtown Montreal. Her work includes assisting those suffering from numerous addiction problems.