COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Hockey announced today that it will host its first-ever Advanced Officiating Symposium July 26-28, 2019, at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington, Minnesota. The first-of-its-kind symposium is open to any official who has been completely registered at Level 3 or Level 4 for each of the previous three hockey seasons and is seeking to obtain “tenured” status within the USA Hockey Officiating Program.
The 2019 Advanced Officiating Symposium will feature presentations from high-level speakers including Kevin Collins, long-time NHL linesman who was recently inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame; four-time Olympic referee Dennis LaRue, Brian Murphy, who was an NHL linesman for 29 seasons; and Joy Johnston, three-time Olympic referee and Ice Hockey United Kingdom director of officiating. General session presentations will cover a wide range of topics, including managing teams, developing a strong mental officiating game and career development.
“While USA Hockey’s Officiating Education Program continues to grow and evolve with each year, we’re excited to introduce the Advanced Officiating Symposium and the new ‘tenured’ classification,” said Matt Leaf, USA Hockey director of officiating education. “The symposium will provide a unique opportunity for officials looking to continue to develop their skills through advanced-level instruction and network with the top officials from throughout the country.”
The new “tenured official” category is designed to reward officials who demonstrate advanced competency through consistent Level 3 or Level 4 status earned by learning fundamental officiating skills and playing rules of USA Hockey. Officials applying for tenured status are required to attend an Advanced Officiating Symposium, and once earned, the tenured status will remain in effect for as long as the official continues to register with USA Hockey.
USA Hockey intends to stage its Advancing Officiating Symposium once per season.
