A former Ontario Junior Hockey League player and on-ice official is one of 36 game officials assigned by the International Ice Hockey Federation to work the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship May 21 to June 6 in Riga, Latvia.

Linesman Dustin McCrank will join referee Olivier Gouin as the Canadian appointees.

McCrank, 36, was listed as a linesman in the AHL and ECHL ahead of the 2020-21 season.

He made his first appearance at the IIHF World Championship in Denmark in 2018.

McCrank also worked at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. He officiated in the bronze-medal game between the United States and the Czech Republic.

The Haileybury, Ont., native split the 2003-04 season between the OJHL’s Port Hope Predators and Bramalea Blues. After one season playing for the University of Guelph, he transitioned into officiating.

During his playing days, McCrank was listed at 6-foot-four, 245 pounds.

Via the parent Ontario Hockey Association, McCrank worked in the OJHL, including the 2014 Buckland Cup league championship series.

McCrank, who began officiating in the Ontario Hockey League in 2007, has worked OHL conference and league championship series and Mastercard Memorial Cups.

“It's great seeing officials like Dustin develop in the OJHL and then move on to bigger and higher profile games,” said Rob MacGregor, the OJHL’s Director of Officiating. “Officials are like players, they want to get to the next level and officiate the next big game. Dustin has moved on from the Buckland Cup to officiate in the OHL finals, the  Mastercard Memorial Cup and to World Championships. He is a world class official and we wish him the best of luck at 2021 World Championships.”

Off the ice, McCrank was a four-time U SPORTS All-Canadian in track and field and national champion in the weight throw in 2010 while competing for Guelph.

The on-ice officials were selected for the worlds based on their performances in their home leagues.

The 18 referees and 18 linesmen come from 14 different countries. For the first time, the game officials will be split into units six of six officials (three referees, three linesmen) who will stay together while officiating and practising in Riga.

“This is an approach to reflect the special circumstances with COVID-19 and a great chance to test it also for the future,” said Sergej Gontcharov, Chairman of the IIHF Officiating Committee and IIHF Council member.

“Thanks to the better coordination between the officials and keeping one line of officiating, we believe that this could raise the level of officiating, similar to what we have seen in other sports.”

Photo courtesy the Ontario Hockey League