Former RMU Hockey Star Set to Become First Female Linesperson in Olympic History

Kirsten Welsh has become a trailblazer for female hockey officials following her successful collegiate career at Robert Morris.

Following her graduation from Robert Morris, Welsh became the first woman to officiate a game in two different prestigious hockey leagues: the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL).

Now, Welsh is making new headlines as she was named as a linesperson for the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Congrats to Kirsten Welsh, an AHA official and former @RMUWHockey blueliner, on being named a linesperson for the 2026 Winter Olympics!

Welsh was named the CHA’s Best Defenseman in 2017-18 🏒#MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/kfXHPEbDvK

— Atlantic Hockey America (@Atlantic_Hockey) August 21, 2025

What is a linesperson in hockey?

Well, it is basically an assistant to the main referee. Welsh, along with all other linesperons are tasked with calling icing and offsides penalties while also assisting the referee by breaking up altercations and helping with goal line coverage.

Making the officiating crew for the Olympics is a special honor for any hockey official, but the nomination of Welsh is a bit more special as she became the first woman to be named as a linesperson in the history of the Olympics.

While Welsh continues to make a name for herself as an official, what she did on the ice as a member of the Robert Morris women’s hockey program was nothing short of amazing.

Over her four years (2015-2019) with the program, Welsh was named as the best defenseman College Hockey America (CHA) following the 2017-18 season and earned two All-CHA First-Team nominations (2016-17, 2017-18).

In total, Welsh played in 128 games as a blueliner for the Colonials and recorded 91 points with 34 goals and 57 assists.

As Welsh continues to push the boundaries for women officials in men’s hockey, it would not be unfathomable to see her officiating an NHL game one day.