Sports stats



Moose Jaw Warriors

Alumni Report: Cody Beach Moving up Officiating Ranks

October 18, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


During his playing career, Cody Beach was a headache for opposing teams and officials most nights, playing an instigator role in junior hockey and then in the professional ranks.

When Beach's playing career came to an end in 2015-16, he made the unexpected move to officiating and has been climbing the ranks ever since.

The Moose Jaw Warriors alum made in National Hockey League debut last season and will be working in the American Hockey League this season.

"Sometimes career paths don't work out and that was the case for me with playing," Beach said.

"To be honest, I was very bitter with hockey after ending my career with an injury, struggled with the love of the game for a couple of years, but I missed that atmosphere, I missed being at the rink and being a part of a team."

Beach was encouraged to take up officiating by former Western Hockey League linesman, and Moose Jaw resident, Shane Smith, who worked in the WHL during Beach's playing days. He credits Smith with pushing him towards officiating.

"I saw the excitement that he was having, how much he enjoyed it and how it kept him around the game that he loved when he was done playing," Beach said. "I had a conversation with Ross Gurney, who was my player agent at the time and he opened my eyes to this being a potential career as long as I put the same effort into things as I did as a player.

"I couldn't turn down the chance to throw on the stripes and I'm just happy it's worked out."

Beach said he had so much support as he made the transition from player to official.

"So many people helped me along the way, our local association in Moose Jaw, a couple of guys - Brad Howard and Kevin Muench - and then one of the local guys, Lyle Wilhelm, he's an absolute gem of a guy and helped me along the way through the ranks," he said.

Beach ended up being named the 2019-20 Saskatchewan Under-18 AAA Hockey League official of the year and moved onto the junior ranks in the SJHL and WHL before making the jump to professional hockey.

He said his experience as a player helped him quickly adapt to being an official.

"The one thing that I would push on younger officials that are still playing hockey and maybe thinking about putting on the stripes is I wouldn't want them to give up on the game. I would still want them to be a hockey player because that's where you learn to deal with things and you're continuing to work on your skating or communication. All that stuff then translates to officiating," Beach said.

"I find one of the biggest things in officiating is that communication side of things and being able to come from the spot that the players are in when emotions are high and realizing what's at stake each night."

Beach rose through the ranks quickly, making the jump from minor hockey to professional leagues in just a few years. He said making the transition wasn't easy.

"When you're dealing with adults, they're fighting for their lives, their careers and a paycheck, ultimately, so things are competitive," he said. "With my role as an official, I'm the guy having to be the police officer out there and sometimes hammer down on some of these guys and they look at me and they're like, 'You would have done that 20 times a game and now you're giving me a penalty,' so some communication things are tough some nights, but there's a line drawn in the sand where my role is different now."

Beach made his NHL debut on Apr. 12, 2022 during a game between the Arizona Coyotes and New Jersey Devils. He said that wasn't how he dreamed of making his NHL debut, but it felt great to do it.

"I couldn't be more happy actually now to have broken in as an official," Beach said. "I was so fortunate, my first game I got to work with a couple of guys that actually refed back in the Western League, 10-15 years ago, so it was really special."

He added that the nerves were still there.

"Every time I'm lacing my skates up in the dressing room, I get little butterflies, little nerves and if you lose that, that means you're losing the passion for the game," Beach said.

Beach played two seasons in Moose Jaw and he was a key member of the Warriors' run to the Eastern Conference final during the 2011-12 season. He posted 21 goals, 90 points and 392 penalty minutes in 98 games with the Warriors.

Beach said Moose Jaw had a big impact on him and he loved every minute of his two seasons in Warriors' red and black.

"Those were two years that I'll never forget, so many memories and so many memories that now I'm a resident of Moose Jaw," he said.

"Just reminiscing about the fans and the playoff runs we had, they brought out the best of me every night because they showed up and it was a special place to play."

This is the first Alumni Report of the season. We'll be checking in with Warriors alumni each month throughout the 2022-23 campaign to bring updates on where they are now.

Next up in November will be another member of the 2011-12 team, James Henry.

Check out the Moose Jaw Warriors Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Moose Jaw Warriors Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central