E.40 | Competitive Contact

Whether full body-checking or body-contact, competitive contact is a critical skill all players must develop and all USA Hockey officials must keep in check. What are the elements of clean competitive contact? Who is ultimately responsible for player safety during games? How can successful management of teams make the game more positive and safe for everyone? Watch and find out!

MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, Officiating Education Program

GUEST PANELISTS
Roger Gillo
USA Hockey ADM Manager

Heather Mannix
USA Hockey ADM Manager

E.39 | Officiating Hockey IQ

The USA Hockey Officiating Manuals, video modules and classroom seminar curriculum provide a baseline of standard mechanics and judgment for 25,000 USA Hockey officials across the country (no small task). However, Hockey IQ (i.e. understanding the game, team strategy, player roles & other elements) helps an official stay mentally aware and prepared to deal with incidents.  Watch this episode to learn more!

MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program

GUEST PANELISTS
Kelly Cooke
Referee, IIHF & NCAA

J.B. Olson
Officiating Coach, Jr. Officiating Development Program

E.38 | Altercations

Despite our effort to de-escalate and manage teams, sometimes emotions boil over and altercations occur. Whether small pushing matches or thrown punches, it's the officials' job to clean up the mess. What skills exist to keep emotions in check? How do officials separate opponents? And how are penalties used to manage situations, and sometimes "send a message"? Watch this episode to learn more.

MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, Officiating Education Program

GUEST PANELISTS
Steven Sailor
Referee, IIHF & ECHL

Billy Hancock
Linesman, IIHF & AHL

E.37 | Retention of Officials

For the last 20 years, USA Hockey has lost 50% of the officials moving from Year 1 to Year 2. However, they retain 90% of the officials who reach Year 3. What strategies can local officials associations and hockey communities use to get new officials to Year 3 more successfully? And what are realistic expectations we should have of brand new officials? Watch this episode to learn more.

MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, Officiating Education Program

GUEST PANELISTS
Paul Carnathan
State Referee-in-Chief, Georgia

Thor Nelson
State Referee-in-Chief, North Dakota

E.36 | Managing Mistakes

Whether a rookie or a veteran, mistakes are a part of the business. Some go unnoticed, and some make the official want to crawl and hide in the penalty box. Maintaining credibility with the teams comes with proper management and communication. What are things you should say? What are the things you should never say. Watch this episode to learn more about this critical game management skill!

MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program

GUEST PANELISTS
Tim Mayer
Referee, IIHF & AHL

Chelsea Rapin
Referee, IIHF & NCAA

E.35 | USA Hockey Program Update

Time for another "state of the union" episode. The USA Hockey annual Mid-Winter Meetings were held in January 2021, and all councils, committees and sections met via Zoom to discuss the successes and  challenges in our game. What are the Referee Section's biggest topics as they wrap up the 2020-21 season and prepare for next year? Watch this episode to find out!

MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, Officiating Education Program

GUEST PANELISTS
David LaBuda
National Referee-in-Chief, USA Hockey

Patrick Picicci
Referee-in-Chief, Northern Plains District