Thanks to their passion for hockey, identical twin brothers Cody and Chad Huseby have been able to spent a lot of time together. The brothers played hockey and baseball growing up in Rocky Mountain House. As teenagers they turned their passion into spending money, lacing up their skates as on-ice officials.

When the Husebys moved to Red Deer to go to college, they took their skates and their whistles with them.  They reffed, and took courses, and the assignments came. Eventually both started professional careers in Red Deer. Cody is a teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, and Chad is a banker with Servus Credit Union. They both married and have families. They both continued to ref hockey games. For the last 13 years they’ve been skating in the Western Hockey League and are regulars at Red Deer Rebels games.

Like anyone who laces up the skates, the Husebys have always thought of turning pro. Earlier this season they got their first taste, getting called up to the AHL to officiate some of the home games for the Calgary Wranglers. It looked like one day if they kept at it, they might get a shot at the NHL.

Then all of a sudden, in the matter of a few surprising hours, it happened.  In this interview Cody explains how the last day of school before the Christmas break turned into a day he and Chad will never forget.

The Husebys don’t just ref hockey, they help coach their kids too. Friends from Chad’s team in Red Deer just happened to be at the game in Red Deer.  Andrew Russell shared this video profile he took at Rogers Place last Friday night.

Family and friends gathered in various spots from Rocky Mountain House to Red Deer to watch the game Friday.  Some tuned in to see the Oilers and were surprised.  Others, on the southern side of the Alberta divide, tuned in specifically to see linemen.  This feature was captured and shared by Gavin Heintz.

Cody and Chad thoroughly enjoyed their NHL debut and are looking forward to the “next” call up.

From Andrew Russell