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.35 | USA Hockey Program Update
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 @ 8:00p ET
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
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!
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021
E.36 | Managing Mistakes
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin - Manager, Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Tim Mayer - Referee, IIHF & AHL
Chelsea Rapin - Referee, IIHF & NCAA
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!
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
E.37 | Retention of Officials
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf - Director, Officiating Education Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Paul Carnathan - State Referee-in-Chief, Georgia
Thor Nelson - State Referee-in-Chief, North Dakota
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.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021
E.38 | Altercations
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose - Manager, Officiating Education Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Steven Sailor - Referee, IIHF & ECHL
TBD
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.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021
ZOOMCAST ON-DEMAND
E.34 | Summer Development Camps
VIDEO COMING SOON
Each summer, the USA Hockey Officiating Program hosts a series of camps for up-and-coming development officials. Each program builds into the "Learn to Compete" and "Train to Compete" phases of Long-Term Development Officiating, where officials learn the mental and physical skills necessary for advancement into Junior, Collegiate and Professional hockey. How does an official apply? What are the programs like? Watch this episode to learn more.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, Officiating Education Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Gui Bradshaw
Referee, WCHA & USAH Local Supervisor
Charlie O'Connor
Linesman, ECHL
Melissa Szkola
Referee, IIHF
E.33 | Meet the NHL Officials
It's officially USA Hockey "Hockey Week Across America"! Which means it's time to celebrate all the success in our game. From the recent IIHF World Junior Gold Medal, to the local kids taking their first steps on the ice during "Try Hockey For Free", to local grassroots officials engaging with some of the best officials in the world. Join this episode for the opportunity to submit questions, learn from, and "Meet the NHL Officials".
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USAH Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Jake Brenk
Referee, National Hockey League
Brian Murphy
Retired Linesman, National Hockey League
Ian Walsh
Referee, National Hockey League
E.32 | USAH Playing Rule Update
During August 2020, the 2021-25 Playing Rule Change process began for USA Hockey. Over 200 rule change proposals were submitted from members of all types. This episode will discuss the rule change process, what types of proposals were submitted, and what philosophies drive the decision process for which proposals pass. Join us for an interesting look behind how the rulebook gets made!
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
David LaBuda
National Referee-in-Chief, USA Hockey
Donna Kaufman
Vice-President, USA Hockey Junior Council
E.31 | Restraining Fouls
Hooking...Holding...Tripping...these are all non-aggressive competitive fouls that gain illegal advantages and impede the flow of the game. While officials, players and coaches have successfully focused on body-contact infractions under the Declaration of Player Safety, Fair-Play and Respect, it's important to not allow retraining fouls back into the Standard-of-Play. Watch this episode to learn more!
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USAH Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Kaylen Erchul
Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Peter Schlittenhardt
Referee, IIHF & AHL
E.30 | USAH Hockey Week
Each season, USA Hockey dedicates one week to celebrate achievements, passion, community and everything that makes ice hockey in America so amazing. As a part of the celebration, the USAH Officiating Program coordinates "Meet the NHL Officials" opportunities with U.S. based NHL teams and the NHLOA. How does someone get selected for this program? What is it like in the NHL Officials' Dressing Room? Watch this episode to learn more, and hear a special announcement regarding the 2021 program.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Erika Greenen
Linesman, IIHF & NWHL
Ethan Trexler
Referee, ACHA & USA Hockey
Shannon Webster
Director Youth Hockey, Pittsburgh Penguins
E.29 | Mentoring Officials
There's no question that mentor programs help with the retention of officials, and set them up for success (see E.3 on-demand). But what makes a good mentor? What should new officials expect from a mentor? What should a mentor expect from new officials? Watch this episode to learn some best practices for on and off the ice.
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Michael Miggans
Linesman, AHL & ECHL
Jere Huson
Referee, USA Hockey
E.28 | IIHF Officiating
Each season, 20 - 30 USA Hockey officials are selected by the IIHF Officiating Committee to represent USA at the various international tournaments. The goal among the officials is work up the various levels of events with hope of an Olympic Winter Games opportunity. What is the path to get started? What are the expectations during events? Watch this episode to learn more.
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USA Hockey Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Dina Allen
Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Jake Davis
Linesman, IIHF & AHL
E.27 | USAH National Tournaments
Each spring, roughly 250 officials are selected to work the USA Hockey National Tournaments. While teams compete for a championship, the officials work hard through the week for the honor of ending their season with the championship game. How are the officials selected? What is the experience like? How can you prepare? Watch this episode to find out.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Gary Cutler
Referee-in-Chief, Western New York
Kendall Hanley
Linesman, IIHF & NCAA
Logan Gruhl
Referee, ECHL & USHL
ZOOMCAST ON-DEMAND PLAYLIST
Head to the USA Hockey YouTube Channel to watch archived ZoomCast episodes.