USA Hockey Magazine

40 // SEPTEMBER 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM T HERE'S A REAS ON why Paul Stewart says he's always smiling in photos. "I'm usually going to rinks and that's where my friends are," the Hall of Fame referee explained d u r i n g h i s p u n c h l i n e - p a c k e d stroll down memory lane to close the 2021 USA Hockey Advanced Officiating Symposium. B y t h e t i m e h e w a l k e d o f f t h e s t a g e a t t h e P r o v i d e n c e D o w n t o w n M a r r i o t t i n e a r l y August, Stewart had made 200 new friends who came here not only to make themselves better officials, by achieving tenured status within the USA Hockey officiating ranks, but ultimately to make the game better. O ve r t h e c o u r s e o f h i s 14 y e a r s a s t h e national referee in chief, Dave LaBuda has attended and spoken at hundreds of offi- ciating seminars. Since each session is an essential part of the USA Hockey Officiating Education Program curriculum, officials of various levels of skill and experience are required to attend. As such, the level of enthusiasm and engagement can run the gamut for those in attendance. But as he looked around the room, LaBuda noticed something a little different. These participants were here not because they had to be, they were here because they wanted to be. "By being here this week you've demon- strated your commitment to the game," LaBuda told the officials who came here from 34 states to improve their own skills and their understanding of the game. "Becoming an excellent official is not a destination but rather it's a journey. And that journey contin- ues here today." Like many things in life, the journey was delayed due to the uncertainty during a global pandemic. And while USA Hockey 's officiating pro- gram was able to stay con- nected with its members through online seminars a n d w e e k l y Z o o m c a s t s , there's nothing like being together again in person. " I t w a s a l o n g w a i t t o get to this point after the yearlong hiatus, but to be in a room surround- e d b y s o m a n y p a s - sionate officials was certainly an amazing e x p e r i e n c e ," s a i d Katie Guay, a pio- neering official with e x p e r i e n c e a t t h e highest levels of both the men's and women's game. "I'm excited to see the continued growth of this program and see more officials elevated to that tenured status," which brings with it reduced regis- tration requirements and fees. In addition to having a chance to meet new people and renew old friendships, officials were able to ask questions about the new USA Hockey playing rules that will go into effect this season. Regardless of whether each official agreed with every new rule in the book, they left here with a better understanding of the process behind the new rules and how they will impact the game. Now it's up to them to go back to their local associations and provide guidance and clarification heading into the season. "The timing could not have been any bet- ter, especially during a rule change year," said Nick Zaglifa, the supervisor of officials in Maryland for the past six seasons. PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine Archives; Harry Thompson "To be in a room surrounded by so many passionate officials was certainly an amazing experience." Well Worth The Wait After A Covid-Induced Delay, Advanced Officiating Symposium Scores Points With USA Hockey Officials /// By Harry Thompson – KAT I E GUAY

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