CROMWELL, Conn- Ten former participants in USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program (ODP) have recently signed contracts, moved up or joined the officiating staffs of professional or collegiate hockey leagues across North America for the 2010-11 season.
The news of additional the advancements was discussed during one of USA Hockey’s Officiating clinics held this past weekend. This seminar in Cromwell CT was an intense four day session sponsored by USA Hockey and the Atlantic Junior Hockey League and the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League.
The ODP is entering its 13th season with 400 registered officials in the current program. In total about 28,500 on-ice officials are registered with USA Hockey. About 60 current and prospective ODP members got the word on the good news for some of the previous ODP participants while in Cromwell.
National Hockey League linesman and President of the NHL Officials Association Brian Murphy from Dover, New Hampshire heard about the promotions while helping instruct the Cromwell clinic. Additionally, current NHL referee Ian Walsh, former NHL linesman Kevin Collins who now works as a supervisor for the league and Mark Faucette a former NHL referee were all on hand to instruct. They were individually pleased about the news of the promotions.
Murphy reacted for the group saying “I am pleased to see ODP participants recognized. I wish something like this program had existed when I first started. The program provides tremendous opportunities for young officials.” Murphy began working in the NHL during the 1988-89 season.
Former ODP participants who most recently moved up include:
Brian Pancich who worked on a 40/40 contact last season with the National Hockey League (NHL) and accordingly worked about 40 games in the NHL and 40 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) has been signed to a full-time contact with the NHL for the 2010-11 season. Pancich, a native a native of Great Falls, MT worked his fifth straight Calder Cup finals in the AHL last season. He is a 2008-09 graduate of the ODP. He joins other three other former ODP participants Brian Pochmara, Chris Ciamaga, and David Banfield on the NHL staff.
Okemos, Michigan resident Tim Mayer also accepted a fulltime position with the American Hockey League as a referee for the 2010-11 season. Mayer, who worked in the ECHL over the past two seasons, is a recent graduate of Michigan State University. He spent three years in the ODP before moving on to the ECHL. Mayer began his professional career in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
Judson Ritter of Nazareth, PA who spent three seasons working in the ODP will move to full-time position as a linesman splitting his time between the ECHL and the AHL. This past season Ritter was selected to work in the first round of the AHL playoffs and worked the Clark Cup final series in the USHL. He began his professional career as a linesman in the SPHL.
They join seven current referees and 23 linesmen with ODP experience who are currently working in the AHL.
In addition, the ECHL has added referees Colin Kronforst, Chicago, IL and Curtis Marouelli of Edmonton, Alberta plus linesmen Alex Stagnone, Holbrook, MA and Mike Sheehan, Denver, CO to its officiating staff for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, the newly expanded Central Hockey League has added referees Boone Bruggman, Wenatchee, WA and Geoff Miller of North Hampton, NH to its staff.
In collegiate hockey Dana Penkivech, Apple Valley, MN and a recent graduate of North Dakota State University has joined the officiating cadre of the NCAA Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association as a linesman.
Scott Brand, Coordinator of the ODP Program also reacted by saying “USA Hockey and the ODP staff congratulate the most recent group of officials who have used the ODP and experience with USA Hockey member organizations and ODP partners to gain the training, experience and recognition to earn career advancement.”
The Officiating Development Program focuses on identification and development of USA Hockey registered officials who aspire to work collegiate, professional and international hockey.
Contact Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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