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.24 | USA Hockey Discipline
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf - Director, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Bruce Urban - USA Hockey Director-at-Large
Jim Dewhirst - Referee-in-Chief, Southeastern District
Discipline and accountability are the keystones to managing the behavior of players and coaches during the season. While the playing rules remove a player from a game, it's the game report and disciplinary process that makes "the message" stick. Why are game reports so critical? Where do they go? And what do disciplinary board members look for? Watch this episode to learn more!
E.25 | ADM & Officiating
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin - Manager, USA Hockey Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Joe Bonnett - USA Hockey ADM Manager
Dan Brennan - USA Hockey Coaching & Sled Programs
The USA Hockey American Development Model fundamentals set all players up for success. Whether using small-area games in practice or following age-specific skill progression, ADM guidelines turn athletes into long-term participants playing competitive hockey (regardless of the skill level). Does the official play a role in player development? And how does cross-ice hockey set the early ADM official up for success? Watch this episode to find out.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
E.26 | You Make the Call - LIVE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose - Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Jason Lortie - Referee, SPHL & ACHA
Kendall Hanley - Linesman, IIHF & NCAA
Dan Ellison - Referee-in-Chief, Pacific District
You asked......we answered! This week we do a live "You Make the Call" session where we review clips and poll the audience. Penalties, Goals, Off-sides...you name it, we got it! Join us for a fun final hour before we take our holiday break.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020
HOLIDAY BREAK
December 22 & 29, 2020
Team ZoomCast is going on break through the holidays. Best wishes to everyone for a safe and relaxing holiday season, and we'll see you again on January 5, 2021.
E.27 | USA Hockey Nationals
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 @ 8:00p ET
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose - Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
TBD
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.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EPISODE WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
ZOOMCAST ON-DEMAND
E.23 | Exploding Games
VIDEO COMING SOON
Sometimes we see them coming, and sometimes they arrive from out of nowhere. One thing is certain, every official must manage an Exploding Game from time to time. So what are the signs to look for? How can they be prevented? What tools can officials use to manage a game that jumps off the tracks? Watch this episode to learn more!
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USAH Jr Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Erin Gnagni
Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Steve McInchak
Referee, NCAA
E.22 | Instructor Training Program
The success of classroom seminars hinges on the instructor staff who receive their basic train at the Instructor Training Program. Each year USA Hockey hosts 50 - 60 officials from across the country who have the volunteer spirit of giving back in the classroom. What material is covered during this program? What is the schedule like? What does it take to earn The Black Polo? Watch this week to learn more.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Melissa Szkola
Female Officiating RIC, Michigan District
Nick Zaglifa
State Supervisor of Officials, Maryland
E.21 | USAH Officiating Program Update
Time for another USA Hockey Officiating Program update! How is membership registration going? What projects are in development? And what are the hot topics among the Referees-in-Chief?
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
David LaBuda
USA Hockey, National Referee-in-Chief
Steve Tatro
Minnesota District, Referee-in-Chief
E.20 | NCAA Officiating
Between the skill-level, the student cheers and the school bands, college hockey presents a unique working environment. With increased media exposure and scrutiny, the stakes at the Division-I level are very high. What does it take to earn a spot on a conference roster? What are the expectations of the supervisors and commissioners? And what are the rewards of working games involving teams competing for an NCAA Championship? Watch this episode to learn.
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USAH Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Jeff Fulton
Director, Hockey Referee Assigning Organization (NCAA D-III)
Alicia Hanrahan
Linesman, IIHF & NCAA
Steve Piotrowski
Coordinator of Officials, Big Ten D-I Conference
E.19 | Volunteer Opportunities
With 25,000 officials across the country, the USA Hockey Officiating Program takes a lot of effort to successfully manage. Whether scheduling classroom seminars, developing young talent, chasing down missing game reports or collaborating with local hockey associations. The hard work of many volunteers is what makes USA Hockey tick. How does someone get involved in off-ice administrative roles? What opportunities exist? Watch this episode to learn more.
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
David LaBuda
USA Hockey, National Referee-in-Chief
Kevin Donovan
Referee-in-Chief, Massachusetts District
E.18 | Icing & Off-sides
Icing and Off-sides are the fundamental calls of linesman. While the spirit and intent seems simple, there are subtle interpretations that can effect these "black and white" rules. Watch this episode to learn more about judgement and positioning, and how it takes true teamwork to "get it right"!
MODERATOR
BJ Ringrose
Manager, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Jennifer Cameron
Linesman, IIHF & NCAA
Kenneth Radolinski
Linesman, ECHL
E.17 | Mental Preparation
Keeping physically fit and gaining strength are keys to high performance, but that's only half of the job. Mental focus and stamina are just as critical to getting through an entire game. What can officials do to sharpen their mental awareness on the ice? How can officials prevent tunnel-vision? How can officials re-focus if they feel mentally-flat? Watch this episode to learn more.
MODERATOR
Matt Leaf
Director, USA Hockey Officiating Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USA Hockey Jr. Officiating Development Program
Jake Rekucki
Referee, AHL & ECHL
David Lassonde
USA Hockey NTDP Goaltending Coach
E.16 | Aggressive Infractions
Judgement and Penalty Standards are two of the hardest skills all referees must develop. Some rule infractions have a marginal impact on competition and sportsmanship, but aggressive infractions are "must call" penalties if the game is going to stay on track. What are the markers of aggressive infractions? How do we differentiate between Body-Contact and Body-Checking? What is "Hope vs. Courage"? Watch this episode to find out.
MODERATOR
Scott Zelkin
Manager, USA Hockey Jr. Officiating Development Program
GUEST PANELISTS
Mackenzie Welter
Referee, IIHF & NCAA
Ian Walsh
Referee, NHL
ZOOMCAST ON-DEMAND PLAYLIST
Head to the USA Hockey YouTube Channel to watch archived ZoomCast episodes.