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)