Elizabeth Mantha, Anthony’s Sister, To Referee At IIHF Women’s Worlds

Elizabeth Mantha, like her younger brother and Capitals forward Anthony, is also prepping for a busy year ahead on the ice.

Mantha will be one of 21 women referees at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship. The tournament takes place from Aug. 20-31 at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta.

“Hockey Canada is proud of the seven Canadian officials that have been selected… these referees and linespersons have stayed focused and game-ready as this event came together,” Dan Hanoomansingh, the manager of officiating with Hockey Canada, told hockeycanada.ca. “We know they will represent Canada with pride when they step on the ice in Calgary. They have worked tirelessly to get to this point in their careers, and to be considered among the top officials in the world is an honor.”

The Quebec native used to play in the CWHL and also played with the uOttawa Gee-Gees. She eventually wound up at the University of Montreal, winning a championship with the Carabins in 2013. Over three seasons in the CIS, she racked up seven goals and 28 points in 53 games. Mantha also played men’s hockey.

READ MORE ON WHN: Revisiting the Anthony Mantha trade

“It’s not always easy, but at the same time, it gives me a lot of experience in terms of speed, execution and physical contact,” Mantha told Hockey Quebec (translated via Google Translate).

She discovered a passion for officiating during her time in Ottawa and decided to focus more on reffing after college. She is a product of the Hockey Canada Officiating Program. Mantha became the second woman ever to earn a referee position in the AAA Quebec Midget Hockey League. The 31-year-old additionally officiated in the AAA Quebec Junior Hockey League, the CWHL and several other leagues/tournaments.

Going forward, Mantha currently has her sights set on the Olympic stage — more specifically, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Anthony noted that he can see her making history on another level as well.

“It would be unreal to see a woman in the NHL,” Anthony told NHL.com in 2018. “If it would be my sister, it would be unbelievable even more. Obviously, there are a lot of steps she needs to go through before getting there… if everything goes perfectly and everything is set up for her to be the next or first [woman] ref in the NHL, it would be really, really, really a success.”