Wednesday, June 19, 2013

NAHL, NA3HL announce camps for on-ice officials

Press Release

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are once again pleased to announce tryout camps for on-ice officials for the upcoming 2013-14 season.
The summer development camps are used to identify and prepare officials for more advanced levels of the game (Junior, NCAA, or Minor Pro). Most of the top officials in all areas of the United States have worked their way through the Summer Development Camp system.
The on-ice officials that work and officiate all NAHL and NA3HL games are assigned by USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program (ODP).  The NAHL and NA3HL provide over 1,300 combined games per season for the ODP to utilize in the development and education of officials. The ODP is a training ground for young and aspiring officials to gain valuable experience using in-game instruction and coaching as they work their way up through the ranks, eventually aspiring to work at the NCAA or Professional hockey levels. 
In addition to the NAHL and NA3HL levels, the ODP works in partnership with the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), providing nearly 1,000 games for the officiating program to utilize for development and education.
“The NAHL is a proven pathway of development as these men look to continue their career as an on-ice official,” said Chris Allman, the NAHL’s Coordinator of Officials.  “We are in a great position to be able to select the best out of the officiating pool in the United States because of our ongoing relationship with Scott Brand, who oversees the next few levels of the development chain.”

Camp dates for officials for the 2013-14 season are as follows:
Michigan Camp (Detroit, MI): July 25-28, 2013
Minnesota Camp (St. Paul, MN):  August 8-11, 2013
Wisconsin Camp (Spooner, WI): August 22-26, 2013
Camps are done on a tryout basis and those who attend the camps will have an individual interview at the conclusion of camp to offer an assessment of skill and ability as it compares to others in camp, along with potential involvement with the ODP will be for the 2013-14 season.  The camps are highly competitive and require all participants to be in good physical condition heading into the camp. 
Those who are current or former hockey players are encouraged to consider officiating.  Playing experience at higher levels is an advantage, and if applicants are former players at the junior level or higher, there is almost no experience needed to come to camp and start a new career in hockey.  There will very limited space at both camps, so please take the time to fill out the enclosed form expressing your interest. 
Have questions, send an email to Officiating Coordinator Chris Allman.


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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