From Pat Dyer, WHOA Referee-in-Chief:
We are now a few days into the 2009-10 registration and overall registrations are coming in at about the same pace as last year. As many readers will recall, WHOA was the beta test site for USA Hockey's national seminar registration program. Based on the combined efforts of WHOA and USA Hockey, ten additional states are using USA Hockey's national seminar registration program as of August 1. Even though the program has expanded, Wisconsin is not done as the beta test site. After all, Wisconsin is the only state who is using the program for the second year. In the first few days, most things have gone smoothly for those who are registering. However, one problem has come to light--a problem which, as it turns out, could only be uncovered in the second year of testing.
This problem only affects officials who were new level one officials in 2008-09 and are trying to sign up to be level two officials in 2009-10. It appears that new level one officials last year who chose not to enter their optional USA Hockey ID number in the seminar registration process are currently not being allowed to register for a level two seminar. The official is typically greeted with and error message stating that their USA Hockey ID number does not exist. I know this can be a bit perplexing since officials are in possession of a registration card with an ID number clearly stated. As of this writing, we believe this is a problem with the merging of two databases. USA Hockey staff is working diligently to resolve this problem. Officials in Wisconsin can assist with this resolution by doing the following. If you live in regions one, four or six, e-mail Pat Dyer (
ric@wihoa.org) a quick note with your name, seminar and USA Hockey ID number. Officials living in regions two, three or five should e-mail Ryan Ourada (
education@wihoa.org) the same information. Ryan and I are tracking those officials having difficulties and we will let everyone know when the issue has been resolved.
While on the subject of seminars, this is a good time to talk a little bit about what everyone can expect at this year's seminars. WHOA is strongly encouraging all officials to complete their open book exam prior to attending their seminar. It is up to the official if they want to submit their completed exam on line prior to attending the seminar. WHOA believes officials who complete their exams prior to the seminar will get the most out of their seminar. Level one officials, most of whom will be new, we develop a basic understanding of the rulebook prior to the seminar. In turn, this will most likely raise questions which can then be answered at the seminar or may be answered as a part of routine seminar teaching. Level two, three and four officials will again take closed book exams at their seminars. It goes without saying that officials who have completed their open book exam will have automatically studied to a degree for their closed book exam.
Please make sure you do as much studying as necessary in order to pass your closed book exam. In addition to preparing for the exam, we also expect
all participants to bring their rulebook, manuals (new level one officials will get a manual at the seminar), something to take notes on and something to write with. Instructors cover many situations over the course of the day which officials may encounter during the season and it is a good idea to write them down.
Staying on the subject of seminars, I would like to speak a bit about the ice session. New level one officials are required to have skates, a helmet and a whistle. It is best is the facemask is removed from a player's helmet because it makes it much easier to blow the whistle. If a new level one official has more officiating gear than the stated minimum, they must wear it.
All other officials must wear full officiating gear! Please keep in mind that the ice session is designed to be up beat and get the official's blood flowing for the upcoming season. The ice session is no longer a place for the official to take a "practice spin" for the upcoming season! Officials should hit the ice before their seminar for a skate or two to adequately prepare for the seminar. The ice session is also a valuable teaching tool. Drills presented during the ice session are designed to mimic situations officials will encounter during the games. Therefore, it is expected that all officials will give the utmost attention to the entire ice session.
Finally some overall comments on the seminars. Officials are required to attend the entire seminar. This means officials must be in their classroom at the start of the seminar so teaching can commence promptly. It also means that officials must participate in the entire ice session and that officials must stay for the entire day. Officials are not released "a little bit early" so they can go to some other event. One other very important note. Officials are responsible for their own transportation and meals. WHOA staff cannot transport officials to and from the rink. A number of seminar hosts may be providing lunch (payment is the official's responsibility) usually at the rink during the seminar. Officials are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. For a complete review of the seminar day at your specific seminar click on the black "Seminar Schedule" button on the left side of the page and then follow the posted instructions. As you look over your seminars, please remember that most seminars reach their maximum participants. Therefore, it is a good idea to sign up early. This also means that WHOA is typically unable to accomodate "walk-ups" at level one seminars. Furthermore, because of background screening requirements, WHOA,
does not accept "walk-ups" at level two, three and four seminars.
In closing, if anyone has any questions regarding officiating in Wisconsin, please feel free to e-mail me at
ric@WIHOA.org or give me a call at 218-349-0327. Let's make 2009-10 a great season!
