Thursday, April 26, 2012

Chris Allman named Officiating Coordinator for NAHL, 3HL

Press Release

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that Chris Allman has been named the Officiating Coordinator for both the NAHL and the North American 3 Hockey League (3HL). Allman will begin his duties on May 1, 2012.

“We are pleased to have Chris as a member of the staff in a role that we feel is very important to the overall success of our leagues,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “As we constantly strive for an enhanced product on the ice, we feel that Chris brings the experience necessary to ensure that the officiating and our development of officials in the NAHL/3HL remains consistent and adapts with the level of play. We will continue to work with USA Hockey to develop and educate our on-ice officials and maintain a certain level of accountability to help keep our players competing in a safe environment.”

“I am honored to be selected as the Officiating Coordinator for the NAHL and 3HL, as it will allow me to educate and train a larger pool of officials with the support of my supervisory team,” said Allman. “I am also very excited to be able to help the on-ice officials provide a safe and consistent playing environment that will allow players to hone their skills as they climb the next rung in the ladder; whether it is college or professional hockey.”

Allman’s main responsibilities will include supervising, evaluating and coordinating all the officials within the NAHL/3HL. Allman is no stranger to officiating or the supervisory role at the league level. For the past four years, Allman has been the Director of Officiating for the Atlantic Metropolitan Hockey League (AMHL), a Tier III junior league. His responsibilities included educating and developing on ice officials through evaluations and observation.

“I plan on introducing the officials to more group training which will focus on performance consistency game to game,” said Allman. “Some methods that the officials will experience include; weekly review questions, power skating sessions, and off-ice coaching at higher levels. Building a strong supervisory team is a key aspect and the quality of the officials will be reflected by their supervisors (coaches) advice and guidance. Resuming and rebuilding our working relationship with USA Hockey's Officiating Development Program will be of high importance to reaching all of these goals.”

Allman has a wide array of experience on the ice as an official where for the past 10 years he has worked professionally in the AHL, ECHL, CHL and SPHL as a referee or linesman. He also has on-ice experience at both the NAHL and USHL levels. “I am looking forward to returning as an administrator where I got my start in officiating… in junior hockey,” said Allman. “Junior hockey is a spring board for players, coaches, and officials to help develop their careers. The people working in this league are very professional and without their hard work the NAHL and 3HL would not be able to provide such a dynamic opportunity for the development of players, coaches, and officials alike.

Scott Brand, who is the Officiating Development Coordinator for USA Hockey and who also has supervised the NAHL during the past 14 seasons with their officiating program, believes that Allman will be a nice fit for the league. “I am excited for the NAHL and 3HL and the officials with the selection of Chris Allman as the new officiating coordinator. He is bringing a proven track record of development and will hold the officials to a high standard. Chris is one of the hardest workers in the officiating world and is recognized as one of the best when it comes to development.,” said Brand.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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