Sept. 16, 2008

OFFICIALS TRAINING CAMP PHOTO GALLERY

By Kate Ryan, CCHA Intern

Over 60 officials from eight states participated in the CCHA's annual on-ice officials training camp September 12-14 held at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills, Kensington Metro Park and the Detroit Marriott Livonia.

The weekend's agenda began with a try-out camp for 16 officials. Director of Officials Steve Piotrowski created a thorough and challenging three-day agenda for the group. The off-ice training included a four-mile run in the rain and agility  exercises run by Michigan State strength and conditioning coach Mike Vorkapich on top of an adventure race that included a three-mile run and canoe race. The challenges continued in the classroom with the NCAA testing, video exchange and discussion.

"This year's rookie camp was very competitive and the bar was a lot higher than what I expected," said rookie Cory Zuganelis.  "They really push you to the limit to see exactly how well you can perform."

The performance review continued in the classroom where officials gathered to go over video tutorials, including goal reviews and penalty standards. Piotrowski introduced the mechanics of the new two-referee, two-linesman officiating system, which will go into effect this season.

The new system is going to cause some challenges for this year's staff. Piotrowski's goal is to assemble crews that put the best officials on the ice.

"The biggest challenge is going to be to acclimate nine new referees into the system," said Piotrowski. "We have to try to create dynamics and chemistry with two referees on the ice so these guys are comfortable with each other."

This year Piotrowski wants to pair guys together who work well with each other much like a coach would do with his team.

Video replay situations served as an efficient learning tool for the officials at the camp.

"The videos have allowed us to enhance different types of things," explained Piotrowski who is also the Secretary-Rules Editor of the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Rules Committee. "We wanted to create a culture that encouraged participation and where people could talk and express their opinions."

The new officiating system and rules changes may bring many different aspects and perspectives to the game this season.

"The new rules are going to offer an enhancement to the game," said Piotrowski.  "The point of emphasis is on protecting the puck carrier by having an enhanced enforcement standard of making sure that any fouls that take away scoring opportunities from the puck carrier and allowing the speed of the game will create game sustained speed and action. I am encouraged by how things went thus far in the camp."

It was all about the new system of four officials on the ice at this year's camp.

"We want to make sure that when guys leave here, they're comfortable with the mechanics of the enforcement standard," Piotrowski said.

Twenty-six year veteran official Matt Shegos shared his thoughts on the new officiating system.

"I think the NHL has proven that four officials can ref the game and do so effectively and so I think that in the CCHA, we'll have great success with that as well," said Shegos. "The fact that two sets of eyes are viewing the game should help administer the rules of the game."

The new system of two-linesman and two-officials was a popular topic of discussion at the camp. Many of the officials are very excited about having different perspectives of the other refs on the ice. However, one major perspective comes from the media.

Dave Starman of CBS College Sports serves as a regular analyst for CCHA games on TV. Starman attended training camp for a second straight year to continue his education for the upcoming year's broadcasts.

"From my perspective as an analyst, it's important that I know what they're (the referees) thinking and what the letter the law is in terms of the calls so that if there are rule changes or different enforcements and  I'm not here, I want to be able to know what's  going on with the calls," explained Starman. "To open this camp up to guys like me is great because I've got to be on top of things."

The officials at this year's training camp worked hard on the ice, off the ice and in the classroom just like the student-athletes of this league. The rule and system changes have been thoroughly explained and are expected to have a noticeable effect during the CCHA season.

CCHA Officials must be in top-notch shape just like the student-athletes they skate along side. It's imperative that they train the same as the college players because their time on ice is a minimum of 60 minutes per game.

Piotrowski believes the CCHA's 13^th team had a successful training camp and he's looking forward to seeing his staff prove it on the ice.