OFFICIATING ZOOMCASTS
USA Hockey ZoomCasts are weekly online video webinars dedicated to continuing education of officials, coaches, players and parents. Some topics will focus on officiating performance and effectively managing a hockey game. Other broader topics will focus on USA Hockey policies and initiatives relevant to all members.
Each ZoomCast will feature a host and guest panel to discus the topic of the week. After the initial presentation, the panel will take questions from the virtual audience. Guest panelists include officials from professional and collegiate levels, USA Hockey National and District administrators, Head Coaches, Officiating Coaches and more.
The participant list is limited to 100 people. However, each ZoomCast will be posted for on-demand viewing at this website (see below) after the broadcast and at the USA Hockey YouTube Channel.
UPCOMING EPISODES (schedule is subject to change)
E.63 | Playing Rule Q&A
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022
8:00pm ET
HOST
Matt Leaf - Director, Officiating Education Program
PANELISTS
TBD
The "deep dive" into the USA Hockey Playing Rules is back! Rule knowledge is a pillar fundamental of officiating, and it's critical for all officials to understand the rules and their "spirit and intent" to successfully manage the tough situations that occur on the ice. This episode will discuss some of the misconceptions and common mistakes officials make, and offer the live participants the opportunity to ask questions about situations or interpretations.
E.64 | You Make the Call
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
8:00pm ET
HOST
Billy Hancock - Coordinator, Grassroots Officiating Development
PANELISTS
Andrew Bruggeman - Referee, IIHF & AHL
Chelsea Rapin - Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Join our host and panel as they show video clips of different game situations, and poll the audience. After the poll, our panel of experienced officials unpack the teaching points in each clip. Always insightful, and always a fan favorite.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7.
E.65 | Officiating FUNdamentals
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023
8:00pm ET
HOST
Scott Zelkin - Manager, USA HockeyJr. Officiating Development Program
PANELISTS
Heather Mannix - Manager, Education and Player Development
Officiating is a business. Officiating is a profession. But that doesn't mean officiating isn't supposed to be fun. Join our host and panelist as they discuss how USA Hockey is changing the development process for young players to keep them active, engaged and smiling. And how that same philosophy can apply to officiating education and development.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21.
E.66 | USA Hockey Program Update
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023
8:00pm ET
HOST
BJ Ringrose - Manager, Officiating & Development
PANELISTS
Dan Ellison - Referee-in-Chief, Pacific District
David LaBuda - National Referee-in-Chief, USA Hockey
Ken Reinhard - Referee-in-Chief, Rocky Mountain District
Fresh from the 2023 USA Hockey Mid-Winter Meetings, this episode will share current topics of interest in the officiating program, and some hints at what is coming for 2023-24 Membership Registration.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4.
ZOOMCAST ON-DEMAND
E.62 | Health & Wellness
VIDEO COMING SOON
Remember when ice hockey was a winter sport? Remember when an "off-season" used to exist? It seems like the season extends and gets longer each year, which takes a toll on the body as we try to maintain mental balance and physical stamina. This episode will discuss the off-ice strategies all officials can employ to maintain proper health through the year...and through life.
HOST
BJ Ringrose
Manager, Officiating Education Program
PANELIST
Cameron Gentile
Evaluation Coordinator, Southeastern District
E.61 | Mentor Mission
During the USA Hockey Annual Congress in June 2022, the Referee Section voted to implement a strong recruitment program to identify local officiating mentors in their respective areas. Join this episode to learn more about the progress of this program, why it's so important, and why becoming a local mentor might be the most rewarding off-ice volunteer role an official can take on.
HOST
Matt Leaf
Director, Officiating Education Program
PANELISTS
Pat Dyer
Education Coordinator, Wisconsin Ice Hockey Officials Association
Annette Lin
Referee-in-Chief, Washington State
E.60 | You Make the Call
Officiating Zoomcasts are back for Season 3...and so is "You Make the Call"! Join our host and panel as they show video clips of different game situations, and poll the audience. After the poll, our panel of experienced officials unpack the teaching points in each clip. Always insightful, and always a fan favorite.
HOST
BJ Ringrose
Manager, Officiating Education Program
PANELISTS
Erika Greenen
Linesperson, IIHF & PHF
Kenneth Radolinski
Linesperson, AHL & ECHL
E.59 | Officiating Task Force Update
Since its launch in Fall 2021, the USA Hockey Officiating Task Force has been identifying and discussing the key factors affecting officials across the country. From retention rates, to game assignment issues, to abuse and culture, all topics are up for discussion with hope that recommended solutions can be made within the Officiating Program and greater Hockey Community in general.
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program
PANELISTS
Keith Barrett
Vice-President Youth Council, USA Hockey
Bob Mancini
Asst. Executive Director, Hockey Development
E.58 | You Make the Call
Back for one final Season 2 episode! Join our host and panel of top-level officials as they share clips, poll the audience for their rule interpretations, and then unpack the clips and discuss the playing rules. Adjust your screens and dust off your keyboard whistles as we bring OZ Season 2 to a fun conclusion.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, Officiating Education Program
PANELISTS
Dennis Larue
Referee, National Hockey League (Retired)
Mackenzie Welter
Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Nick Zaglifa
Supervisor of Officials, Maryland
E.57 | Getting Started
Getting started in officiating can be a daunting challenge. From learning the steps to earn the first USA Hockey Referee card and sweater crest, to getting equipped, to earning that first game assignment. What are the biggest challenges and common mistakes? And what should the expectations of new officials be? Join this episode to learn more!
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program
PANELISTS
Barry Zalcman
Referee-in-Chief, New England District
Annette Lin
Referee-in-Chief, Washington State
E.56 | Game Assignors
The reality of officiating is you will never keep everyone happy, and the reality of assigning games is you will never keep all officials happy. Assigning is a tough job with a lot of responsibility toward development, advancement and keeping officials involved. So what should the expectations be? Join this episode to learn some inside realities of the job and best practices of the business.
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, Officiating Education Program
PANELISTS
Krissy Langley
Referee-in-Chief, USA Hockey Female Development
Kevin Redding
State Referee-in-Chief, Connecticut
E.55 | IIHF Event Special
This episode will feature some USA Hockey's top officials sharing their experiences from the 2022 IIHF World Juniors, Olympic Winter Games and other international competition. Learn what it takes to prepare for competition, and work with officials from different countries.
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program
PANELISTS
Nicholas Briganti
Linesperson, 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships
Brian Oliver
Linesperson, Beijing 2022 IOC Winter Games
Sara Strong
Linesperson, Beijing 2022 IOC Winter Games
ON-DEMAND EPISODES