JOHNS ISLAND, SC – Kevin Collins, Chris Ciamaga, Mark Faucette, Ian Walsh and Scott Zelkin are part of a small but tight fraternity of men with experience as on-ice officials in the National Hockey League. All of these current or former officials are playing instrumental roles in helping aspiring young officials who are attempting to someday join this elite category as an NHL official.
When the puck drops across the USA on a Friday or Saturday evening in the many junior leagues that serve to develop players between the ages of 16 and 20, the cadre of on ice officials are also engaged in their own development. Like many of the players, these young officials also aspire to be involved in higher level collegiate, international and or professional hockey.
USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program now in the 12th year of existence and has been getting increased involvement from former professional hockey on-ice officials who are acting as seminar instructors in pre season training camps, providing supervision during the season and importantly helping USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program staff evaluate the approximately 400 officials who are a part of the program as well as indentifying potential future ODP participants.
Mark Faucette, who spent 17 years as a referee in the NHL exemplifies the commitment of the former and current NHL officials. He spends almost every weekend and many weekdays on the road watching hockey games. The Springfield, Mass native who works as a supervisor in the ECHL also covers young officials assigned to games in the Southern Professional Hockey League, the United States Hockey League, the North American Hockey League, the Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League and the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League. In the role of supervisor he is available before during and after the games to mentor the young officials, evaluate them and help them develop.
Collins, Walsh and Zelkin who like Faucette have been active in working as supervisors and have served as on-ice instructors at the various off season officiating seminars targeting ODP participants held across the USA. Most recently, another NHL official Bryan Pancich, an ODP graduate who signed his first NHL contract this season, was used extensively this summer as an on ice instructor. The active NHL officials frequently use an off day in a city to help scout ODP participants.
Supervisors evaluate officials on a variety of items such as skating ability, positioning, judgment, communications and application of rules. Additionally they act as advisor and counselor when the inevitable rough spots occur during the season. However, they along with other supervisors must eventually help the ODP staff decide who they will recommend for promotion to the next level and who may not progress.
Given the thousands of aspiring officials in North America being candid with a young official who may not have all of the tools needed for the NHL or other higher levels of hockey is important. The aspiring officials are trying to get through a very narrow funnel. Sometimes they may have all the tools and ability but timing may not work in their favor. For example, this year the NHL hired one linesman and one referee. Thus, giving clear feedback on progress or lack of it is an important part of the role of supervisor.
The NHL Officiating staff is also helping. Charlie Banfield, who works for the NHL office as part of the officiating supervisory staff, has regularly scouted ODP officials. For example, Banfield has been present at the last two USHL Fall Classics in Sioux City, IA. The Fall Classic brings all USHL teams into Sioux City for a three day round robin type tournament. It serves as a showcase for players in front of hundreds of college and pro hockey scouts. Banfield is there in a similar capacity for the NHL looking at the officials who work these games. Banfield frequently drops in on potential candidates throughout the year as he fulfills his other NHL duties.
“The willingness of these current and former NHL officials to work with our program is a major help to our young officials,” USA Hockey ODP Coordinator Scott Brand said. “It has been a real shot in the arm to have guys who have made it to the NHL take the time to help those who aspire to the same career. USA Hockey is also thankful for the support of the NHL for the program.”
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
Note: Scott Brand is the son of writer Phil Brand
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