Jeffrey Partnow asked if "... anybody has any insight into the factors used (and their relative weights) by the various leagues in rating officials? Do all leagues use a similar formula? (i.e., would the #1 rated ref in the CCHA still be #1 if judged by ECAC standards?). Is there any way for the fans to divine the league's ratings?" Sounds suspiciously like rhetorical questions to me! Hope springs eternal in this human breast even though this time, I fear for naught. But, while I wait with bated breath for a response from some knowledgeable official from any of the conferences or the NC$$ that there are indeed enforced standards, I would add yet another rhetorical question: Are there any standards for evaluating referees (selected and hired, I believe, by the host institution) for non-conference games? (If no NC$$ official cares to respond, perhaps Army fans who attended the 1995 and 1997 games with Air Force at Colorado Springs could give us a clue?) F.W. Sharrock HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.