CHARLOTTE, NC – Professional athletes have to know the rules of the sports they play in order to perform. Some profess to having a better knowledge than the men who officiate the contests they participate in, especially when said referees call them for infractions.
These days, however, organizations like USA Hockey and leagues like the Southern Professional Hockey League are giving former players a chance to prove just how much they know.
Four former professional players currently help staff the roster of officials in the SPHL. Chris Armstrong, Jake Brenk, Jason Schulz and Matthew Tyree are all working games as on-ice officials in the seven-year old circuit and other professional leagues this season.
They were recruited into USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program as part of a major effort sponsored by the National Hockey League and supported by USA Hockey to provide former professional players with another career path that allows them to remain associated with the game. The NHL has long sought to entice former players to don the stripes of officiating sweaters and the SPHL provides an excellent starting point for these former pros.
SPHL President Jim Combs, himself a former on-ice official in the American Hockey League, is a major supporter of providing such opportunities.
“I understand the former professional players bring another perspective to the game and our officiating staff. We are glad to be part of the initiative,” Combs said. “Even though former pro players start officiating later than other on-ice officials, the former pros are able to learn quickly and they bring a unique knowledge of the pro player’s mindset.”
The ODP has approximately 450 officials who are part of the program. About 70 of the officials are in the program on a full-time basis, including the four former professional players working in the SPHL. The program identifies promising referees and linesmen for development in a model similar to that used for players. It is not uncommon for the ODP staff to identify a 15 or 16 year old official working youth hockey and monitor and work with them over a number of years. What has been less common is the recruitment of former professional players into the program until the recent initiative was launched.
ODP Coordinator Scott Brand, who assigns SPHL officials and coordinates the program for USA Hockey said that there are several advantages to turning former players into game officials.
“I already know when USA Hockey gets a call or tip about a former player that they can skate,” he said. “They are also a little older than the average ODP recruit so we get a level of maturity that works well with professional hockey players.”
Former SPHL player and Albuquerque, NM native Jason Schulz was recruited into the ODP this year. Schulz, who is working as a linesman, spent parts of two seasons with the Columbus Cottonmouths after playing in the Central Hockey League. He recently worked a game in Columbus and is scheduled to be there again this month.
Jake Brenk is a large, affable linesman who seems to just love being around hockey. The former Minnesota State University-Mankato collegiate player went on to play professionally in the Netherlands, the ECHL, the CHL and with Dortmund in Germany. The 6’2″, 200-pound former forward recently received his first assignments in the ECHL as he has made rapid progress withing the developmental program.
“I love working as a linesman. It allows me to stay around the game and working in the SPHL has been a great first step for me,” Brenk said.
Matthew Tyree, another former professional player, hails from Spooner, Wisconsin. He played his college hockey at Division 1 Minnesota State University-Mankato and based on the number of You Tube clips of his pugilistic prowess, he may know a thing or two about how to break up fights.
He played his pro hockey in the Eastern Professional Hockey League and the ECHL and began officiating following helping the Jersey Rockhoppers win the EPHL championship in 2008. His stature (6’1″, 210 lbs) and maturity serves him well as he carries out his lineman duties. His progression has also been quick as he has worked SPHL and CHL games in his second season in the ODP.
Tyree had the opportunity to work at one of the NHL’s rookie player development camps last September and said it was a great experience.
“The NHL preseason rookie camp was a great opportunity and gave me the kind of exposure needed to grow and advance as an official,” he said.
Chris Armstrong is making the difficult transition from player to referee and is in his first season in the ODP assigned to the SPHL. Armstrong has an extensive professional career. His resume includes playing seven games in the NHL, over 500 games in the AHL, 150 plus games in the International Hockey League and spending several seasons in the German Elite League over 15 professional seasons.
People within the NHL family suggested he go into officiating. They also contacted Brand and Combs about giving Armstrong an opportunity to work SPHL games.
Although the jump from player to referee is a difficult one, the former defenseman said he has enjoyed the challenge.
“Wearing the armbands has been a real change for me but one that has been extraordinarily exciting,” he said.
Combs sees the use of former professionals as a win-win situation for both his league and the sport on the professional level.
“I see this as another way to have the SPHL participate in the larger community of hockey,” he said. “Working with the NHL and other minor pro leagues is a chance for us to build and increase our working relationships across many levels.”
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