Ask any official what’s the secret to their success and they’ll typically list the same four or five attributes: fluid skating skills, a firm grasp of the rules, good judgement, keen eyesight, unshakeable confidence and the ability to stay calm when things heat up on the ice. 

As a veteran official of more than 22 years, Matt Wyld possesses all those traits, which have served him well in his quest to become a full-time college official. But in his new role as the referee-in-chief for New York’s North Section, the Albany native would add one more trait to his toolbox – time management skills. 

In addition to working a full-time job with a national railway company and pursuing the goal of advancing his officiating career, Wyld is also helping the next generation of officials make their mark in the game. 

It’s a balancing act that will undoubtedly test his ability to juggle many aspects of his busy life, but Wyld said he’s up to the task. 

“I’m coming in late to the party. I’ve only been on in this spot for three or four weeks now at this point, so I have a lot of catching up to do,” he said. “It’s definitely going to take some time to get used to things and some skill to manage my time properly.” 

With all he has going on in his life right now, it would have been understandable for Wyld to take a pass on the RIC job. But given his commitment to the game and the organization that has done so much for him over the course of his career, he knew that it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. 

“It wasn’t necessarily what I was looking to do right now. I had no issues with doing it maybe later in life when I wasn’t skating as much,” he admitted. “At the same time, you can’t always predict when an opportunity’s going to come up to do something like this. The opportunity was there so I took it.” 

There was also a sense of duty to give back to the game that has done so much for him. Wyld started playing hockey in the Albany area when he was 8 years old and played through college. He started officiating when he was 15 and quickly caught the attention of Mike DeFuria, the RIC in the North Section at the time. 

DeFuria saw something in the young official and took him under his wing, instilling in him the confidence to pursue a career in stripes. 

“He saw my talent and my skill and from day one he said, ‘You’re going to be a great referee,’” Wyld recalled. “I was young, and I didn’t really know what he was talking about.” 

It was DeFuria who got him into the USA Hockey officiating development program that gave Wyld an opportunity to travel the country working junior hockey games. 

In addition, Wyld would work numerous New York state tournaments as well as USA Hockey National Championships, often earning a coveted role of working championship games. 

“Whether it was luck or skill, I don’t know,” he said. “I’d like to think I worked hard, and I’ve definitely been rewarded for the hard work I’ve put in.” 

In his new role, Wyld will shift gears and become part of the crew that evaluates and mentors the next generation of officials working state tournament games. 

Even as he takes on a new role in the game, Wyld is not ready to hang up his whistle. He continues to work Div. I college hockey games with the Eastern College Athletic Conference, spending his weekends from October to March traveling up and down the Eastern Seaboard, from St. Lawrence to New Haven. He also works as a linesman for ECHL games in Glens Falls when he can. 

While he continues to focus on advancing his career on the ice, Wyld is excited about taking on the new challenge of helping the next generation of officials find their own way in the game. 

“I got to where I am because of USA Hockey and the RICs and instructors I had when I was growing up,” he said. “That’s why I couldn’t let this opportunity go. I want to step up and help in any way I can to help these officials reach their goals. 

“It’s a good feeling to see that these people are getting better and progressing and it’s something that’s good for the game of hockey. I guess this is my way of giving back to the grassroots where I started and how I got to where I am.”