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NEWSDate: Sep 02, 2010 Preseason Camp Underway For SPHL Officiating Staff
By Phil Brand SPOONER, WI- The SPHL officiating staff and their supervisors descended on Spooner, Wisconsin this week to continue preparation for the 2010-11 season. Thirty-two officials who are part of the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and who are expected to work the bulk of the Southern Professional Hockey League regular season schedule commencing in October continued to build on an already busy summer schedule for most of the participants. SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs was on hand to meet the participants and provide background on league news. He also shared his expectations for the staff and areas of emphasis for the coming season. The attendees in Spooner are rated as among the best official prospects in the ODP program and have been judged capable of working in the SPHL. Daily highlights of the six day camp will be posted on the SPHL web site. All sessions were held at the Spooner Ice Arena. Wednesday September 1, 2010 Participants arrived in town around noon and met with members of the camp staff in individual interviews. Each participant was asked variations of three questions by a panel consisting of the SPHL Director of Officiating, Scott Brand, Dave LaBuda, USA Hockey Referee-in-Chief, and former NHL referee Mark Faucette and Bob Cunningham who serve as officiating supervisors in the SPHL. Cunningham is the Referee-in-Chief for the Central District for USA Hockey. The three questions elicited information about how each official self evaluated last season, how they prepared both on and off the ice for the coming season and what they expected to learn over the next six days. The interview process was also used to give positive and constructive feedback to the returning officials and help the first year participants understand the importance of the next few days. The balance of the afternoon in the afternoon session was spent on administrative activities, introductions of students/staff and a review of the 2009-10 season. Participants were also given a number of assignments on subjects such as rules, suggested rules changes and on officiating development approaches they will be making individual and group presentations on throughout the camp. Next the group engaged in an hour of off-ice warm-ups before moving into a fast paced two hour block of on-ice time used for power skating, game condition skating simulation and overall conditioning drills. These sessions were led by Faucette, Chris Allman and Chris Woodworth former SPHL linesmen who now work in the American Hockley League. The day ended at 10PM with a joint late dinner used to review and discuss the day’s activities and allow individual interaction among the attendees and staff. Click here to go back to news articles |
