ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Just like most players, many hockey officials have a goal of moving up to the National Hockey League. This past week, a rarity, an official born and primarily raised in New Mexico became part of the National Hockey League officiating staff. What may be rarer is the fact that Mark Lemelin who has spent the last three seasons officiating in the American Hockey League learned to skate in Saudi Arabia. He lived there as a youngster while his dad was employed in the country. Lemelin will initially c ontinue his development in the AHL and if all goes well will begin to work in the NHL sometime in the future. He is a referee. Lemelin, age 30, father is from Quebec and mother is English, played most of his amateur hockey in New Mexico. About the age of 15, he switched to officiating and was eventually nominated to attend a USA Hockey Regional Officiating camp. While there, he was scouted by Scott Brand USA Hockey Coordinator for the organization’s Officiating Development Program. Brand offered him a chance to move to the mid-west and work in the United States Hockey League, the lone Tier-One Junior Hockey League in the U.S. Three successful seasons in the USHL earned him a promotion to the Central Hockey League, where he worked for Wayne Bonney who then headed the CHL’s officiating staff. Bonney is a retired NHL linesman. His next move was to the American Hockey League where he has worked full-time for the past two seasons. Lemelin was quick to thank a number of people who have helped him in his progression. “In addition to my current AHL supervisors I cannot say enough about the USHL and the opportunity the league and Scott Brand gave me as a young aspiring official.” He went on, thanking the CHL and Bonney, “for also providing him with coaching, training and an opportunity that led to my eventual assignments in the AHL.” The AHL, which many experts recognize as the second best professional hockey league in the world in terms of the level of competition, is a major stepping-stone to the NHL for players and officials. “Every one of my advancements are attributable to the leagues that have given me a chance to work their games, the various officiating staff supervisors and as importantly my on ice partners who have been so gracious in helping with my development,” said Lemelin. “My friends, the officiating community, my girlfriend and of course my parents are ecstatic for me.” No doubt, his father, a life-long Montreal Canadian fan looks forward to seeing his son skate on Bell Centre ice someday. Once Lemelin skates in his first NHL game, he will become one of nine former USHL officials who have worked or are working in the in the National Hockey League. While in the USHL he was a member of the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program now in its fourteenth season. The program focuses on identification and development of USA Hockey registered officials who aspire to work collegiate, professional, and international hockey. More than 325 officials have graduated from the program to work in collegiate, professional, and international hockey. Contact phil.brand@prohockeynews.com
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