Faucette Committed to USHL Officiating Development

Press Release

The United States Hockey League is at the forefront of player development, annually sending many of its alumni to college hockey programs across the USA, into the NHL Entry Draft, and eventually into professional hockey at all levels. While development of players is the number one priority for the League, the USHL has also been successful in the development and advancement of off-ice administrators, general managers, and coaches.

The League also has a successful track record in development of on-ice officials. Most recently, Brian Pancich, who worked in the USHL several years, joined the NHL staff this season as a linesman. Fourteen seasons ago, the USHL made a joint commitment with USA Hockey for the development of on-ice officials. The USHL was the first to provide slots for the new Officials Development Program (ODP), which focuses on the development of on-ice officials for eventual work in international, collegiate, and professional hockey.

In addition to the plethora of college and pro hockey scouts in attendance on any given game night in the USHL, another small group of people under the direction of USHL's Director of Hockey Operations Scott Brand are also in arenas. These individuals are in and out of the official's dressing rooms evaluating, coaching, and listening to young officials who are also looking for career advancement.

One such supervisor is frequently recognized by the college and pro scouts as he moves around the venue of his game assignment. Most likely, it is because Mark Faucette was an official during many of the games these scouts participated in as players at the minor professional or NHL levels.

Faucette, who has already lived the life that many of the younger officials are dreaming about, spent 17 years in the NHL. Thus, when he enters the locker room as part of his supervisory duties, he brings instant credibility and creates a little awe in the young men and women he coaches. He is representative of the cross-section of supervisors who bring extensive professional, international, and amateur hockey officiating experience to a newer generation of aspiring officials.

The former referee is one of the few US-born officials who have worked in the NHL, and his work at that level also brings credibility in his discussions with the coaches, general managers, and game officials as he deals with the inevitable questions and issues that arise in the competitive world of USHL hockey.

Faucette was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and played both high school and Division II college hockey in the area. He began officiating at the age of 20, drawing on the influence of his father who worked as a linesman in the American Hockey League, including assignments to the Calder Cup Finals.

"Dad also worked as an NCAA referee, earning two assignments to the NCAA finals. He was my inspiration when it came to officiating," said Faucette. Despite his NHL success, he may not be the most sought after member of his family for advice by others. Faucette has a younger brother who works as part of the production staff of television reality show American Idol.

Faucette was first noticed by the NHL when he attended an officiating school conducted by Kevin Collins, a long-time NHL linesman. Collins was instrumental in Faucette beginning his pro career as a linesman in the AHL.

The next move for Faucette was the transition from linesman to a NHL referee trainee. This brought assignments in the Canadian junior leagues before moving up to work in the International Hockey League, the Central Hockey League, the ECHL, and the AHL.

In 1985, he was hired full-time by the NHL as a referee and before his career ended, he had officiated 912 regular season games as well as numerous playoff assignments, including the NHL Conference Finals. Faucette also skated as a referee at the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo and the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. He was assigned to officiate the 1996 NHL All-Star Game in Boston and the International Ice Hockey Federation's first World Cup of Hockey that same year.

Faucette has a number of memories from his NHL days. "My first assignment in the NHL ended in a line brawl as Buffalo and Detroit erupted in a melee. In my first playoff game, I saw Wayne Gretzky score an overtime winning goal, and I worked the first-ever four-man officiating crew in the NHL at Madison Square Garden."

The former NHL referee now resides in Florida and works in the hockey off-season for Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays. His first work off the ice as a supervisor began in 2006 for the ECHL before being hired by USA Hockey in the summer of 2009 for his current role.

"I am proud of our staff's work with the young men and women in our program," said Faucette of his efforts with the ODP. In addition to supervising young officials in the ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League, the USHL and five other junior leagues across the USA, he is used as an on-ice instructor at officiating camps sponsored by USA Hockey and the various leagues that utilize officials from the ODP.

Faucette realizes the role of supervisor involves more than just game criticism. "I understand that the youngsters in stripes are very fragile at this stage of their development and need to be taught and educated - not just criticized. This is the hardest time of their career as they are seeking an identity, looking for acceptance, traveling alone for long periods of time, and being away from loved ones for months at a time. All of this on top of having to master the rules and execute their best in what may be a hostile environment."

The veteran referee has been in their position and is looking to pass along the knowledge that was afforded to him during his on-ice career. "I am very grateful to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly for investing their time in my career, as well as for the time spent by members of the NHLOA Alumni and its present members. Now it is my turn to give to the next generation."

Faucette is hopeful that through his work with the ODP he can help foster two of his personal goals. He sees the advent of the four-man officiating crew, which was introduced in the USHL this season, as necessary in today's faster game and is hopeful for a wider adoption of the system. He likes the teamwork created when two referees are on the ice so they work in unison to have a better overall view of the game.

Secondly, while he has a commitment to all of his charges, he is hopeful more US-born officials can break into the NHL and higher levels of pro hockey. "The USHL is loaded with both talented players and officials who bring it all out every night. This is a great proving ground for up-and-coming officials as the intensity and great crowds emulate collegiate and pro levels. It can be overwhelming for some at this level or it can be a launching pad for officials who have their sights on bigger goals."

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)