Back in December we reported that Meg Hishmeh and Leah Wrazidlo would be officiating the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Meg and Leah are both members of the Atlantic District Officiating Program who live in New Jersey. Each of them has officiated several Women's Ice Hockey games in the Olympics so far.

Here is a a roundup of the news reports that mention either or both of them:

• Hockey officials heading from Kinnelon to Vancouver in the Daily Record. The article talks mainly about how each of them learned that they had been selected for the Olympic tournament and recaps their playing and officiating careers to this point.
• NAHL referee to work Winter Olympics on The World of Junior Hockey Blog. This article talks mainly about Wrazidlo, her involvement in the Olympics, and the fact that she officiated a North American Hockey League game that was part of the Paint the Rink Pink Campaign.
• Female referee blazes trail from Duluth to Olympics in the Duluth News Tribune. Leah Wrazidlo is featured in this article. She is of local interest in Duluth, MN because Leah is a native of the area and a University of Minnesota Duluth alumnus.

Continue reading "Media Reports on Meg Hishmeh and Leah Wrazidlo Officiating Ice Hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda asked that the following announcement be posted on AAHArefs:

With the help of our Internet Communications Department, the USA Hockey Officiating Department is happy to launch the new Official Status feature at www.usahockey.com. This feature will offer our 28,000 registered officials the opportunity to review their current registration status with USA Hockey.

The feature will replace the automated telephone menu-system. The telephone system will no longer be in service after Friday, February 5, 2010.

If you live in a state that used the USA Hockey Online Seminar Registration Tool this past fall you already have the necessary USAHockey.com profile to access your information. If you do not have a USAHockey.com profile, the process is very simple and will take less than five minutes to complete. To create a profile and access your information:

1. Go to www.usahockey.com and click the "Create Profile" link at the top of the page next to the search engine.
2. Follow the instructions and enter the required data-fields to set-up your profile.
3. After your profile is created and saved, click the "Official Status" link at the top of the website (where the "Create Profile" link previously was) and you will be lead to your USA Hockey Officiating Program Registration information.
4. This webpage will provide valuable information to all our officials as they complete their registration each season. The webpage is designed to display your USA Hockey Officiating Number, Registration History, Seminar Attendance Information, and Exam Results.

This webpage will provide valuable information to all our officials as they complete their registration each season. The webpage is designed to display your USA Hockey Officiating Number, Registration History, Seminar Attendance Information, and Exam Results.

Continue reading "USA Hockey Provides Web-based Way to Check Officiating Status" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Congratulations to the following Atlantic District officials who were recently named to the staff of prestigious international hockey tournaments by the IIHF:

• Meg Hishmeh- Winter Olympics Games, Vancouver
• Leah Wrazidlo- Winter Olympic Games, Vancouver
• Andrea Weissman- U18 World Championship- USA Chicago
• Kate Connolly- Qwest Olympic Tour- Madison, WI
• Dave Brown- Men’s IIHF World Championship- Germany
• Paul Carnathan- U20 IIHF World Championship- Canada

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda asked that the following interpretation from USA Hockey be posted immediately on AAHArefs.

The important new information is shown below in bold print:

The 2009 rule change to Rule 403 & 405 and its interpretation:

For a player that is assessed a non-coincident major penalty and game misconduct (or a non-coincident match penalty in the case of Rule 405), the offending team is not required to immediately place a substitute on the penalty bench and may do so prior to the expiration of the penalty. No player may enter the game except from the penalty bench with a bench minor penalty being assessed for a violation.

... will apply only to situations where players receive a Match penalty or a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct (or are injured). So if a player receives a Major plus Game Misconduct for checking from behind, he is removed from the game and his team may wait to put a substitute player in the penalty box. The substitute may enter the box at any stoppage during the Major penalty.

The substitute player may only enter the box by way of the ice and only during a stoppage. Any substitution made outside these guidelines shall be penalized for Illegal Substitution.

If the team does not place a substitute player in the penalty box by the expiration of the Major penalty they must continue to play short-handed until the next stoppage of play. Once play has been stopped, they may place five players on the ice for the ensuing faceoff (there is NO additional penalty given at this point). If they send a player onto the ice before the next stoppage, they shall be penalized for Illegal Substitution. At this time, the icing rule is in effect even though they are still shorthanded.

This rule does not apply to any goalkeeper penalties, penalty situations that include Minor penalties (2+5+GM), or penalty situations that include Major plus Misconducts (5+10). In these situations, player substitutions must be made immediately.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda reports that The Southeast District has added a Level 4 Officiating Seminar on Saturday, Oct 31st at Prince William Arena in Dale City, Virginia (about 30 miles south of DC). For details, go to the Southeast Officiating Program Seminar Schedule Page.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For any Atlantic District official who wants to apply for Level 4 but cannot attend our Level 4 Seminar on August 30, neighboring districts will be hosting Level 4 Seminars on the following dates:

• Sunday, September 20,
  Somewhere in the New England District
  see NE District officiating seminar schedule for information
  
• Saturday, October 3
  Rockville Ice Arena
  Rockville, MD
  Sign up through USA Hockey
• Sunday, October 18 at 9:30am
  Cantiague Park Ice Arena
  Hicksville, NY
  Patrick Cooney
  516-496-7625
  contact Patrick ASAP to ensure admission
  
• Saturday, October 24
  Extreme Ice Center
  Indian Trail, NC
  (Charlotte area)
  register on southeastrefs.org Website
  
• Saturday, October 31
  Prince William Arena
  Dale City, VA
  (30 miles S of Washington, DC)
  register on southeastrefs.org Website
  
  

Tony Mariconda reminds us that you should sign an Out-of-District Seminar Attendance Form in most cases in order for your seminar attendance to be recognized by USA Hockey.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Attention potential Level 3 and Level 4 officials:

The Atlantic District will be hosting the following USA Hockey 2010 National Championships this season from April 7th to April 11th:

• Tier II Youth 14U Nationals at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ
• Tier II Youth 16U Nationals at Ice Line in West Chester, PA

Both of these Nationals will be in the new multi-state format (rather than by District as in the past), and so they have the potential to be very large Tournaments. As a result, we will need many qualified Level 3 and Level 4 officials to work at these sites.

In order to be considered as a Referee at Nationals this season, you must be a completely-registered Level 4 official by December 31, 2009. In order to be considered as a Linesman, you must be completely registered at Level 3 or Level 4 by Dec. 31, 2009. Note that successful registration at Level 3 or Level 4 is no guarantee of any National Tournament assignments.

If you have a desire to work in these Tournaments, be sure to register at the proper Level for the 2009-2010 season. If there are questions, please contact Tony Mariconda now at tonyrefx3 [at] aol.com.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the fourth consecutive year the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) will be holding an open tryout at the ESL Sports Centre in Rochester, N.Y. for individuals interested in officiating intercollegiate men’s and women’s ice hockey.

The tryout will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Candidates will go through an on-ice skating session and will complete the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Ice Hockey Rules Exam.

Individuals interested in attending the tryout must register at www.ecac.org. Questions regarding the tryout can be sent to Michael Letzeisen, ECAC Director of Sport Administration (mletzeisen@ecac.org, 508-771-5060 ext. 236).

The ECAC assigns officials for the ECAC Men’s East Ice Hockey League, ECAC Men’s West Ice Hockey League, ECAC Northeast Ice Hockey League, ECAC Women’s East Ice Hockey League, ECAC Women’s West Ice Hockey League, Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC), New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), Niagara University, Robert Morris College, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and Syracuse University.

Link To Registration Form: http://www.ecac.org/officiating/ice/Forms/09_tryout_reg_roch

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

Each year, the Milt Kaufman Award is presented to someone at each USA Hockey Officiating Instructor Training program. Milt Kaufman was the original Camp Director for this program when it first started in the mid-80’s. The criteria for this award embodies the characteristics best displayed by Milt: Leadership, Class, Character, Integrity and Friendship.

It is my pleasure to report that the winner of this prestigious award at the recent 2009 Eastern Instructor Training camp at Lake Placid was Atlantic District Official Rob Navickas.

Congratulations to Rob on receiving this honor!

Posted by Dave Aiello at 2:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

Congratulations to Ian Walsh! On Thursday, April 16^th Ian became the first Atlantic District official to serve as the Referee in a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

(Pat Dapuzzo had previously worked as a Linesman.)

Ian was a Referee in Detroit for the Columbus Blue Jackets at Detroit Red Wings game that was Game 1 of the series in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

[ Photo of Ian Walsh courtesy of The National Hockey League ]

Additional information: Profile of Ian Walsh from The National Hockey League Officials' Association.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Luke Murray wrote:

When the World University Games kick off February 18 in Harbin, China, Atlantic District official Kate Connolly will be one of three American officials working the international event.

A Philadelphia resident, Connolly holds an IIHF license and was assigned to officiate the Four Nations Cup tournament this past November, held at the Olympic Training Facility in Lake Placid.

At that tournament, the 25-year old Connolly worked a USA-Canada tilt
highlighted by a United States win in a six-round shootout following an
overtime period.

Only three months earlier she skated several exhibition games between the
two teams during summertime friendly matches.

Connolly joins referees Tara Leighton of Fairbanks, Alaska and Laura
Johnson, of St. Louis, MO on the ice and Supervisors Stacey Livingston and
USA Hockey Director of Officiating Matt Leaf at the games from the United States.
The World University Games conclude Friday, February 27.

The Atlantic District female officials are also well-represented at the international adult women's levels this year with Kinnelon, NJ's Meghan Hishmeh traveling to Finland to work the IIHF Women's A Pool World Championships. Andrea
Weissman, also of Philadelphia will head to Austria for the IIHF's Division
I World Championships. Both Tournaments will take place in April.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USA Hockey is looking for a Coordinator for the Officiating Education Program at their headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO.

The person hired for this job will be responsible for: "Development and implementation of officiating education initiatives, supervise officials and instruct at officiating seminars, assist Director of Officiating and Manager Officiating Administration with day-to-day operations."

For more information and details about how to apply, please read the job description (in Adobe Acrobat format). Completed applications must be received by USA Hockey by March 2, 2009.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike McDevitt, the Atlantic District Officiating Program Evaluation Coordinator, has been selected to officiate the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game Presented by Guardian Wear in Reading, PA on Wednesday, January 21. Mike will be a linesman, joining referee Shane Warschaw and linesman Mike Hamilton in the three-man on-ice crew.

According to the announcement from the ECHL:

McDevitt began officiating professional hockey in 1993-94 and has worked more than 900 regular season games in the ECHL and the American Hockey League while also working the Kelly Cup Playoffs and the Calder Cup Playoffs. He was a linesman in the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-20 World Championship and the Winter World University Games in 2000. McDevitt worked as a linesman for the 1999 Three Nations Under-20 Tournament and has been a referee in the Asian Professional Hockey League since 2004. He is an instructor at USA Hockey’s officiating camps where one of his students was All-Star referee Shane Warschaw.

Congratulations to Mike, Shane, and Mike, and good luck on Wednesday.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear USA Hockey Coaches and Officials,

On behalf of USA Hockey, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your involvement with our programs and your dedication to the great game of hockey. We realize the commitment you have made contributes positively to numerous participants and this effort has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We hope that your season, thus far, has been filled with enjoyment for everyone.

As the 2008-09 season approaches the half way point, we thought it would be important to remind you to enforce the Standard of Play Initiative that was instituted by USA Hockey for the 2006-07 season. We recognize that maintaining the Standard of Play Initiative is a tough job and it is easy to relax or stray away and revert back to the way it was . . . that is human nature. It is difficult to stay the course, but we need your help and appreciate your efforts in maintaining the same level of excellence that we have had the past two years.

We would also like to take this opportunity to re-emphasize the commitment USA Hockey has made to create a safe, enjoyable and positive hockey environment for everyone. Your role in this process is vital to our success and we are asking you to review some important points that will help you continue to be successful. As part of this review, please be sure to pay special attention to the Standard of Play materials that can be found on USAHockey.com by clicking here.

For coaches, please take a few minutes to review your role in teaching hockey skills in an enjoyable and positive way. Evaluate the emphasis you have placed on your team and compare that to the USA Hockey ideals presented to you through the various coaching resources you have received. This is also a good time to review expectations as it relates to sportsmanship and fair play with both your players and the parents from your team.

For officials, now is the time to refresh your knowledge of the rules and renew your commitment to the Standard of Enforcement Initiative in doing your job on the ice, which is to simply enforce the rules of the game to the best of your ability. In doing so, pay special attention to the USA Hockey "Points of Emphasis" for the 2007-2009 seasons, which includes intimidation tactics such as the late avoidable check, contact after the whistle, stick work and Standard of Play infractions. USA Hockey's volunteer leadership is still committed to eliminating these tactics from the game and officials are expected to do the same.

Finally, both coaches and officials are asked to renew their commitment to communicating with each other and working together to create a positive hockey environment. We also ask for your diligence in playing the game within the rules established by USA Hockey. As a reminder, it is not acceptable to vary from the established rules because it may be more convenient. We are counting on you to uphold the best interests of the game, whether you personally agree with them, or not.

As always, please use any of the resources available to you to assist you. USAHockey.com is continually updated with new material. Your educational manuals and publications are also up-to-date and share the ideals and goals of USA Hockey while your local volunteer leaders, or national office staff, are only a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to assist you.

Once again, thank you for your involvement with our game. Keep up the great work and best wishes for the remainder of the season.

Respectfully,

Mark Tabrum and Matt Leaf
Directors, Coaching and Officiating Education Programs

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A bulletin from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission entitled Hockey Helmets Recalled by Reebok-CCM Due to Head and Neck Injury Hazard calls attention to problems with approximately 1,000 helmets sold between May 2008 through July 2008 at sporting goods dealers and on-line merchants throughout the United States.

According to the bulletin:

The helmet’s chinstrap can unexpectedly disengage while in use. If this happens, the helmet can fall off, posing a head and neck injury risk to consumers.... This recall involves RBK and CCM brand hockey helmets. Helmets included in this recall have a HECC sticker with date code JUN – 2013. HECC stickers and model numbers are located on the back of the helmets.

We urge you to read the CPSC bulletin if you or someone you know has a helmet that may be covered under the recall.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Atlantic District Officiating Program is pleased to report that Ryan Honig was featured in an article on USA Hockey Magazine called Nationals An Honor For Those Who Have Earned Their Stripes.

Here's the article:

Most fans go to a hockey game and follow the puck dance and dart around the ice. Ryan Honig looks at the game from an entirely different perspective.

Ryan Honig officiating in the Boys' Nationals
at Ice House in Hackensack, NJ. [ Photo:
USA Hockey Magazine ]

When you’ve dedicated half of your life to wearing the stripes, it’s bound to have an impact on how you view the world. “I haven’t gone to an NHL game in 13 years and not watched the refs,” says the 26-year-old native of Hamburg, N.J. “And if you talk to all officials, that’s how they all are. We’re just able to relate to them more.”

Players, parents and coaches participating in a USA Hockey National Championship may not be able to relate to the challenges of keeping law and order on the ice, but they have to respect the job done by those in stripes.

Like the teams they judge, only the best are called to work a national tournament.

And with so much riding on the line, only the strong survive. “They’re looking for the whole package,” says Honig, who worked his seventh USA Hockey National Championship this year at the Ice House in Hackensack, N.J.

“You need to be an excellent skater, have excellent judgment and you have to know the rules. The more high level experience you have will definitely help because you’re not going to be feeling the pressure.” While Nationals are a big deal for everyone involved, a referee can’t afford to get caught up in the excitement.

“As far as an official is concerned you’re going to go out and give your best every game,” said Honig, who has worked games from Peewee to minor pro hockey. “You have to block out what’s hap- pening around but you still notice it.”

Even after miles around the rink, Honig fondly recalls his first National Championship experience. Coming in as an unknown commodity, Honig worked hard to catch the eye of the evaluators who carefully watch every game, and then took their critiques to heart.

“I ended up being a linesman for the Peewee championship, which blew my expectations away,” he said. “I went out there seeking criticism from the evaluators and kept trying to hustle all the time. I thought that was a good foot in the door. Still, there is something special about working a National Championship tournament, where local New Jersey teams are facing off against teams from as far away as Los Angeles and Anchorage.

“Just the atmosphere here is something. You get to see the hockey world come together which is pretty cool,” he said. “No matter how many of these you work, you still take pride that you’re here. It’s still a privilege to work these games but you know you can handle the situation.”

Posted by Dave Aiello at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the third consecutive year the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) will be holding open tryouts for individuals interested in officiating intercollegiate ice hockey.

Tryouts will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the ESL Sports Centre in Rochester, New York, and from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Candidates will go through an on-ice skating session and will complete the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Ice Hockey Rules Exam.

Individuals interested in attending the tryouts must register at www.ecac.org. Questions regarding the tryouts can be sent to Michael Letzeisen, ECAC Assistant Director of Ice Hockey and Rowing (mletzeisen [at] ecac.org, 508-771-5060 ext. 236).

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "Congratulations to three of our top Atlantic District officials on their selection to work Medal Round games at 2008 IIHF World Championships:"

• Megan Hishmeh worked as a Linesman in the Bronze Medal Game at the Women's World Championships in Harbin, China.
• Dave Brown worked as a Linesman in the Gold Medal Game at the U18 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
• Bob Ritchie worked as a Referee in the Gold Medal Game at the U18 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week, the NHL Officials Association Website reported that Leo Boylan is the 2007-2008 recipient of the Michael Condon Memorial Award from the American Hockey League. Leo is a Level 4 official from Chalfont, PA who has been a linesman in the AHL for 12 seasons.

According to the article:

Since 2002, the American Hockey League has presented the Mike Condon Award to an on-ice official for their outstanding service to the League.

This year the AHL selected Leo Boylan... to receive the award. AHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Mill had this to say, "We felt Leo is a more than deserving receipient. He exemplifies all of the qualities the award represents - service to the league, longevity and on ice performance." Jim Doyle, Marty Demers, Dan Murphy, Matt Dunne and Luke Galvin are the past winners of the award.

Leo had a close relationship with Mike and for him to be honored with this award it is quite special. Mike was a mentor to Leo, helping him out along the way as he rose in the officiating ranks. "For me to win this award means a lot", said Leo. "To be included in this group of officials, with all their accomplishments and to have Mike's name on the award is very humbling. Mike helped open a lot of doors for me and I am truly honored to be recognized with this...."

{Leo} will receive the award in January, before an AHL game at the {Wachovia} Spectrum....

An article on theAHL.com about league award winners for 2007-2008 says, "The Michael Condon Memorial Award was created in 2002 following the sudden passing of veteran linesman Mike Condon."

On behalf on the Atlantic District Officiating Program, congratulations to Leo on being selected for this very prestigious award.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda received the following announcement of a job opening in the Officiating Education Program Department at USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Please note that the deadline for applications for this job is November 1, 2007:

Job Description

• Job Title: Coordinator, Officiating Education Program Department: Hockey Operations –Officiating Program
• Reports To: Director, Officiating Education Program

Basic Function: Development and implementation of officiating education initiatives, supervise officials and instruct at officiating seminars, assist Director of Officiating and Coordinator of Officials registrations with day-to-day operations.

Continue reading "USA Hockey Seeking New Staff Member in Officiating Education Program Department" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "On behalf of the entire Atlantic District Officiating Program Staff, we would like to congratulate Meghan Hishmeh and Bob Ritchie. They have been selected by USA Hockey to officiate in an IIHF tournament abroad."

• Meghan will be working as a Linesman in the Women's World Championships at Winnipeg and Selkirk, Canada, April 3 -10, 2007.
• Bob will be working as a Referee in the World Junior Championships at Leksand and Mora, Sweden, Dec. 26, 2006 - Jan. 5, 2007.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The USA Hockey Officiating Program is now accepting applications for officiating eligibility for the 2006-07 season. Applicants can simply go to the USA Hockey Online Registration site at http://www.usahockeyregistration.com/, and follow the prompts to the section for ice officials to register.

The open book rules exam will also be offered online this season. Upon receipt of an application, officials will be forwarded information on completing the open book exam requirement online.

All officiating applicants are reminded that they must attend a USA Hockey officiating seminar for the level they are applying for each season. New officials may want to be sure they can attend their Seminar first and then register with USA Hockey. For a complete schedule of our seminars for the 2006-07 season, please go to the Atlantic District Officiating Program Seminar Schedule. Please note that these Seminars often fill up quickly.

Returning officials are reminded that their 2005-06 card and crest expires on November 30, 2006.

Thanks for your interest in officiating and best wishes for a successful season!

Posted by Dave Aiello at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The ECAC Ice Hockey Staff will be holding two tryouts for any officials that are interested in officiating Division III Men's and Women's Ice Hockey.

Please note that the tryouts are for NEW OFFICIALS ONLY. If you are currently an ECAC Ice Hockey Official you do not need to attend.

We ask that you forward the information below to anyone that you know of that has an interest in officiating.

Tryouts will have two sessions, an exam (knowledge of the game and of NCAA Ice Hockey Rules) and an on-ice evaluation.

• First Date:
• When - Saturday, August 5
• Where - Horgan Arena, Auburn, Mass.
• Time - 12:00-2:30 p.m.
• Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m.
• Second Date:
• When - Sunday, August 13
• Where - ESL Sports Centre, Rochester, N.Y.
• Time - 12:00-2:00 p.m.
• Check-in begins at 10 a.m.

Interested candidates will need to register on the ECAC web site.

• http://www.ecac.org/officiating/hockeymen.asp or
• http://www.ecac.org/officiating/hockeywomen.asp

If you have questions or any of the interested candidates you know have questions please contact Michael Letzeisen at 508-771-5060 ext. 236 or by e-mail mletzeisen@ecac.org. In addition you may contact any of the ECAC Ice Hockey Staff.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Atlantic District Referee-in-Chief Tony Mariconda reports that USA Hockey has adopted new standards of play and rules emphases for the 2006-07 season. Here are the new standards:

USA Hockey 2006-07 New Standards of Play and Rules Emphasis

Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for all participants. The mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this new initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive advantage.

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body checking or body contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position (non-checking classifications) to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.

The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:

• The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.


• The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress.


• The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress.


• Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.


• Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

Continue reading "USA Hockey Issues New Standards of Play and Rules Emphasis for 2006-07 Season" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Congratulations to the six Atlantic District officials who were selected to work in the Chicago Showcase tournament last week. All six officials were appointed to work Medal Round games!

Samantha Dorney worked as a Linesman in the Girls' semifinals. Danielle Bugge and Kate Connolly worked as the Linesmen in the Girls' Finals. Marty Kilcourse and Mike Schubert worked as Linesmen in the Boys' Semifinals. Bill Maurer worked as the Referee in the Boys' Finals.

In addition, Kate Connolly won the Chet Stewart Outstanding Female Official Award at the Showcase.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over in The USA Hockey Officiating Zone, Matt Leaf reviews what happened at the Annual Congress that affects the Officiating Program. Much of his article talks about an on-line registration and testing initiative that is being pushed by the District Referees-in-Chief. They are hoping to have a national registration process in place for the 2003-2004 season.

There is also some information about a deadline change for rule change proposals, a slight increase in the national registration fee, and the winner of The Chet Stewart Award.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)