SAINT PETER, Minn. – Gustavus women's hockey alumna Melissa Doyle has been named an on-ice official for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy the International Ice Hockey Federation announced Tuesday, September 1. 

Doyle is one of two American women selected to be a referee for the event. At Gustavus, she played in 114 games from 2010-14, scoring 34 goals and dishing out 29 assists in her four seasons. Her senior season, she was also selected as All-MIAC. Throughout her career, she won three MIAC Championships, three MIAC Playoff Championships, and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. 

Augsburg alumna Sarah Buckner was also selected as a linesperson, representing the United States, as well. "Both Buckner and Doyle turned to officiating after graduating from their MIAC institutions as a way to stay on the ice and remain connected to the sport" said the MIAC release. "Doyle first began officiating MIAC games during the 2017-18 season, while Buckner joined the officiating staff the following year. In addition to working MIAC women's hockey games, both women are also on the officiating staffs of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), and have officiated at multiple IIHF Women's World Championships."

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 5-19, 2026, in Milan, Italy. Pool play for women's hockey will take place from February 5-10, with quarterfinals on February 13-14, semifinals on February 16, and the gold and bronze medal games on February 19.