Drew Jackson Named 2022-23 Recipient of 'The Bodie' Character Award for Officials
Published on May 18, 2023 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
Toronto, Ont. - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that 15-year OHL officiating veteran Drew Jackson is the 2022-23 recipient of the Ken Bodendistel Character Award for Officials as voted by his peers.
Hailing from Caledon, Ont., Jackson worked his first 11 OHL seasons as a linesman before donning the bands as a referee for the past four.
"Ken Bodendistel was an exceptional officiating manager, a great supporter of officials and a true professional, who I was fortunate enough to have skated during his last game as a supervisor on October 5, 2013 in London," said Jackson.
"I want to thank the Ontario Hockey League, Conrad Hache, the Officiating Management Team and my fellow officiating team members for selecting me as the Bodie Award winner. To be honoured by your peers is incredibly gratifying and I am so thankful to my colleagues across the OHL officiating staff for this recognition. It is a pleasure to skate each night in the best amateur league in the world, being a small part of the future development of all players, coaches, executives and fellow officials.
"Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Lindsey; my son, Noah; in addition to family and friends for their endless support and encouragement during each and every game."
Jackson's career highlights have included three different OHL Championship Series assignments as a linesman as well as a pair of Canada-Russia Series appearances, working one as a linesman in Sudbury in 2017 along with another as a referee in Kitchener in 2019.
"Drew is a consummate team player and a perfect recipient for the Bodie Award," said Conrad Hache, the OHL's Director of Officiating. "Drew is the type of individual that has nothing negative to say about anyone and is liked and well-respected by his fellow officials and those involved in the game."
Jackson is currently in his 16th year of employment at Nestle Canada Inc., working as a Key Account Sales Manager.
Established in 2013, "The Bodie" is presented annually to the OHL official who demonstrates a passion and dedication to officiating and the game of hockey, who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice, professionalism, and is respected by OHL member teams, players, and fellow officials. The award is named in recognition of former OHL Senior Officiating Manager, Ken Bodendistel, who served 40 years in the league beginning as a Supervisor in 1974-75. Bodendistel passed away in November, 2013, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer. This year marked the 10th year "The Bodie" has been presented with past recipients including Mike Hamilton, Jason Faist, Geoff Rutherford, Kevin Hastings, Joe Celestin, Mike Cairns, Steve Corlyon, Sean Reid and Scott Oakman.
Jackson will be formally presented with the The Bodie Award at the OHL's Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 18, 2023
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