JOHNS ISLAND, SC- Twelve former Southern Professional Hockey League and United States Hockey on-ice officials have earned promotions to higher levels of professional hockey for the upcoming 2011-12 season. They join more than 300 former previous SPHL/USHL officials who have used USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program (ODP) and the two leagues to advance in professional, international and collegiate hockey.
USA Hockey Officiating Development Coordinator Scott Brand who assigns and supervises officials for both leagues commented that “the Board of Governors of both leagues have been major boosters, supporters and partners with USA Hockey the ODP. The level of competition, crowds and administration of the leagues combine to give our cadre a real taste of major competitive junior and professional hockey.”
Additionally, Brand also announced that in addition to long-time NHL referee Mark Faucette who has served on the staff the past two years as a supervisor, two other retired NHL officials have agreed to help with staff development in both leagues. “I am pleased to announce that former NHL linesman Wayne Bonney and retired NHL referee Dan Marouelli have agreed to join the ODP supervisory staff. Their experience will be extraordinarily helpful in helping our ODP staff develop.” said Brand.
Bonney worked five Stanley Cup finals and 24 seasons in the NHL while Marouelli officiated over 1500 regular season games and almost 200 post season NHL contests.
The following ODP participants will move up next season.
Referees:
Tom Chmielewski- Colorado Springs, CO,-ECHL Don Jablonski- Cheektowaga, NY- ECHL Andy Thackaberry- Canton, MI-ECHL Peter Tarnaris- Long Grove, IL-CHL Zack Blazic-Philadelphia, PA-CHL Linesmen Jake Brenk-St Louis Park, MN-ECHL Steve Walsh- Tampa, FL-ECHL Joe Demizio- Niagara Falls, NY- ECHL Kyle DeMaggio-Rochester Hills, MI- CHL
John McAfee-Denver, CO-CHL Brett Martin- Omaha-NE, ECHL Shaun Morgan- St. Louis, MO-CHL
Most of these officials worked two or more seasons in the USHL the only Tier One Junior Hockey League in the US. They then got their first taste of professional hockey in the SPHL for several seasons. Next they caught the attention of the ECHL and Central Hockey League officiating staffs when they were recommended as ready for promotion. Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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