In article <[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] writes:
>OK, so where do NHL officials come from? Do they work up through the
>minor pros, like baseball umpires? Are any current NHL officials
>former college officials? Are linesmen and refs separated at birth
>and never migrate between tasks?
 
Kenny Z is probably much more qualified to answer this than I am, but since
he's explained a bit of it to me, I'll do the best to give you an answer.  I'm
sure Kenny will correct an mistakes. :-)
 
Most referees start out in their teens reffing some sort of youth level of
hockey or they actually play hockey themselves, or sometimes both.  From there
they decide they really want to be refs or linesmen and go to, usually, Kevin
Collins' officiating camp during the summer.   This is an intense four day
program that emphasizes skating drills, positioning, signalling, etc.  At this
camp each person is evaluated in all of these specific areas.  The people who
do these evaluations (here is where I'm not entirely sure of how things work)
are affiliated with either the AHL or NHL.  If they see someone who they feel
is good enough, the invite them to come to a tryout camp.  From there it's
basically politics and luck.
 
Most referees go to Kevin Collins' camp several times before they're ever
invited and of course some never are invited.  Most of these guys pay their
dues working in the AHL or other minor leagues (IHL, CHL, etc.) before they
move up.  One of the biggest criteria for becoming an NHL ref is physical
size/stature.  Mike Emmanatian, who is an excellent skater and official, will
never make it to the NHL because he is to short (about 5'6").  Anyway, this is
the basic way of getting into the NHL.
 
The NCAA is a bit different, but not too much.  As I said before, most guys
have already been officiating for quite a while before entering the AHL/NHL.
Therefore, they are members of some officiating/hockey organization, usually
USA Hockey (AHAUS, for Amateur Hockey Association of the US).  One of these
organizations is the National Ice Hockey Officials Association (NIHOA).  It is
from this organization that NC$$ refs spring.  To join NIHOA requires a
tryout and then the organization usually helps their members by sending them to
a camp specifically for NC$$ officials.
 
As for refs and linesmen, they are usually distinguished.  Refs usually are
former linesmen who have moved up by virtue of their performance (something
many here would not call a virtue :-)).  Of course, this year things are a bit
different since the number of refs needed at each game doubled.  That is why
there are now "senior refs" and "junior refs" at each game.  In the NHL it's
also the same.  Refs and linesmen are seperate and usually don't migrate
between jobs.
 
So, to summarize, refs do work up the ranks like baseball umpires, etc.  Since
hockey officials must be able to skate (hmmm, I knew that Mike Noeth was
missing an important element to his officiating) they have to start young.
And since skating is also an arduous task, they cannot be too old.  Anyway,
I hope this helps.  If you have further questions, I'm sure Kenny will be
more than happy to oblige.  (And Kenny, I hope I didn't screw this up too
badly).
 
>Hey, I've an enquiring mind.
>
>Greg
>Somerville, MA
>Let's Go Red! Ground Air Force!
>
Daniel Orchard-Hays
RPI  '95