USA Hockey Magazine

8 // AUGUST 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM O F F T HE D R AW PHOTOS BY Getty Images; Paul Batterson/Red Line Editorial One hundred and twenty of the nation's top officials, ranging from as far away as Hawaii to Rhode Island, descended upon Columbus, Ohio, this summer for the 2023 USA Hockey Advanced Officiating Symposium. B.J. Ringrose, USA Hockey's manager of officiating and education, who helped organize the symposium with Dave LaBuda and Steve Thompson, said the symposium was less about the nuts and bolts of officiating, but rather about bigger topics within the game. "We don't spend much time talking about the fundamentals or positioning or walking through the rules," Ringrose said. "Things go a little bit bigger and a little bit broader than that." The symposium offered 18 different sessions for participants, including three led by former NHL officials. Tom Chmielewski, who has logged over 500 games at the professional level, led a seminar titled: "The Referee—The Unique Skill Set and Mindset." Andy McElman, who had a 23-year career as a linesman in the NHL, directed a discussion labeled: "Hope vs. Courage." Bryan Pancich, who worked more than 800 regular- season games and more than 50 playoff games in the NHL, conducted a session called: "The Linesman—Not as Simple as You Think!" Additionally, the conference had three panel discussions on the hockey community, officiating and coaching. Click here to learn more about USA Hockey's officiating program. M ason Payne made quite the lasting impression when he attended his first USA Hockey Level 1 Officiating Seminar seven years ago. Payne was seated in the front row furiously writing down notes and asking questions. He was also the only 9-year-old in the room. Payne was once again the youngest in the room when he attended USA Hockey's annual Advanced Officiating Symposium, and he continues to aspire to improve as both an official and a hockey player. " When I was younger, I never liked the rules and I wanted to see how far I could take things," Payne said. "As I got older, you kind of know there's a line you can't cross. "Now, I always respect the officials and I always go up and say good game. I try not to yell at them or do anything like that because I know how tough it is to make a call in the moment." Click here to learn about Mason Payne's officiating journey. USA Hockey official Kendall Hanley was named the 2023 recipient of the Jamie Huntley-Park Award at this year's Advanced Officiating Symposium. Hanley considered Huntley-Park, who passed away alongside her husband, Ryan Park, in a car crash in 2021, a role model, a colleague and a close friend. "Jamie was one of my best friends and I'm incredibly humbled and grateful, knowing what type of person she was and what she stands for—not only within our community of officials, but also within the community of hockey as well," Hanley said. "I wish we didn't have this award and we could go back and have her here. "Every day, I wake up and the first thing I see is a photo of Jamie and I next to my computer. I just sit there, and I try to be like Jamie. To have people recognize me in that light means a lot." p Click here to read more about Hanley and Huntley's Park friendship. Advanced Officiating Symposium Enlightens Officials Meet The Teenager Who First Became A USA Hockey Official At 9 Years Old OFFICIATING Hanley 'Humbled and Grateful' To Receive Jamie Huntley-Park Award Mason Payne Kendall Hanley

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