Mid-Hudson Hockey Officials Association, Inc.

Mid-Hudson Chapter of the

National Ice Hockey Officials Association (NIHOA)

USA Hockey Affiliated

 "Through An Official's Eyes"

 Please feel free to share this with your local teams & officials. It's a great way to keep what we do in "perspective".

Donald Jensen was struck in the head while officiating a Youth Hockey League game in Terre Haute, Indiana. He continued to work the game, but later that evening was placed in the hospital by a doctor. While being kept overnight for observation, Jensen wrote the following letter:

Dear Parent of a Youth Hockey Player.

I'm a hockey referee. I don't do it for a living, but only on Saturdays and Sundays for fun. I've played the game, coached it and watched it. But somehow, nothing takes the place of refereeing. Maybe it's because I feel that deep down I'm providing a fair chance for all the kids to play the game without disagreements and arguments.

With all the fun I've had, there is still something that bothers me about my job. Some of you folks don't understand why I'm here. Some of you feel I'm there to exert authority over your son. For that reason, you often yell at me when I make a mistake, or encourage your son to say things that hurt my feelings. How many of you really understand that I try to be perfect? I try not to make a mistake. I don't want your son to feel he got a bad deal from the referee. Yet no matter how hard I try, I can't be perfect. I tried keeping track of the number of calls I made in a game today. The total number of decisions, whether it is offsides or onsides, penalties or no penalties, goals or no goals, was over 200. I tried my best to get them all right, but I'm sure I missed some. When I figured out my percentage on paper, I could have missed ten calls today and still gotten about 95 percent of the calls right. In most occupations that percentage would be considered excellent. If I were in school, that grade would receive an A for sure.

But your demands are higher than that. Let me tell you more about my game today. There was one real close call that ended the game. A player was on a breakaway and was trying to score. The defenseman chased him down and made a good play to prevent him from taking a shot that could have won the game. Some were yelling for a penalty, I thought the defensemen made a good play. As I was getting my equipment to leave, I overheard one of the parent’s comments, its too bad the kids have to lose games because of rotten referees. That was one of the lousiest calls I've ever seen." Later, at the concession stand, a couple of kids were telling their friends, "Boy, the referee’s were lousy today. They lost the game for us." I felt just terrible when I got home. Here was a group of kids who had made a lot of mistakes and took a lot of penalties that had cost them a number of goals.

The purpose of Youth Hockey is to teach basic hockey skills to young men. It also teaches teamwork, team building, responsibility and respect. Youth Hockey teaches the children to learn to deal with adveristy when things aren't going their way, winning and losing with dignity and sportsmanship toward all. All these things are important seps in the growth of our youth and skills they use throughout life. Obviously, a team which does not play well in a given game, yet is given the opportunity to blame that loss on a referee for one call or two, is being given the chance to take all responsibility for the loss from their shoulders. A parent or adult leader who permits the younger player to blame his failures on a referee, regardless of the quality of that referee, is doing the worst kind of injustice to that youngster. Rather than learning responsibility, such an attitude is fostering an improper outlook toward the ideals of the game itself. This irresponsibility is bound to carry over to future years.

As I sit here writing this letter, I am no longer as upset as I was this afternoon, I wanted to quit officiating but fortunately, my wife reminded me of another situation that occurred last week. I was referring a game, a player, a very skilled player, pantomimed his displeasure at practically every call or no call and always on anything borderline that was not in his team's favor. One could sense that he wanted the crowd to realize that he was a fine, talented player who was doing his best to get along, but that I was a black-hearted villain who was working against him. The kid continued acting like this for two periods, while at the same time yelling at his own players, who dared to make a mistake. For two periods the coach watched this. When the kid returned to the bench in between the second and third period, the coach called him aside. In a voice loud enough that I was able to overhear, the lecture went like this: "Listen son, it is time you make a decision. You can be a referee, an actor, or a hockey player. But you can only be one at a time when you are playing for me. Right now it is your job to be a hockey player and you are basically doing a lousy job. Leave the acting to actors and the officiating to the referee’s or you won't be a hockey player on my team any longer. Now what is it going to be?"

Needless to say, the kid chose to be a hockey player and went on to score the game winning goal. When the game was over the kid followed me to the locker room. Fighting his hardest to keep back the tears he apologized for his actions and thanked me for refereeing his game. He said he had learned a lesson that he would never forget.

I can't help but wonder how many more children are missing their chance to develop into hockey players and fine young men because their parents encourage them to spend time refereeing during a game.

The following morning Donald Jensen died of a brain concussion. He left behind a wife and two children.

MHHOA Meetings will be held in September 2009, November 2009, and January  2010 from 630pm-730pm at places TBD. Parents of referees less than 16 yr’s. old are required to attend the initial orientation meeting with their son or daughter. We have a limited number of meetings this year. It is important that you attend each of your specifically scheduled meetings. Attendance is mandatory as the issues discussed are of extreme importance to develop an understanding of rule interpretations and applying them consistently among officials. You may not be assigned games if you fail to attend the scheduled meetings.

All meetings will begin promptly and are expected to last no longer than 1 hour.

For USA Hockey clinic information visit the New York State Amateur Hockey Association website at WWW.NYSAHA.COM.) or the USA Hockey website at www.usahockey.com

During the seasonal meetings, checks will be handed out. Fines will be assessed for each missed meeting. You may also be subject to a loss of game assignments.

Any changes to your information (email, phone, address etc.) must be brought to the attention of the secretary immediately in order to update the roster.

 Please contact the individuals noted below for the following reasons:

MHHOA President-Any problems encountered with players, coaches, parents or rink management. Any problems with other officials.

MHHOA Scheduler/Treasurer-Any scheduling issues or problems with your pay.

MHHOA RIC-any questions on rules, file match reports 

MHHOA Secretary-Any administrative issues, i.e. match penalty forms, phone numbers, emails, address or any other changes in personal information. A copy of your referee card must be submitted by November 20, prior to your being scheduled for any games in December. All forms (W-4, LIAHL code of conduct, IC agreement)

Scheduling of Games-You are required to travel to the rinks we assign.

Saugerties Youth Hockey-Saugerties, NY                        

Mid Hudson Vikings-Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College-Poughkeepsie, NY

Millbrook Youth Hockey-Millbrook, NY                             

SUNY-New Paltz- Poughkeepsie, NY

Pawling Youth Hockey-Pawling, NY                                  

CCM-Mennen, New Jersey

Westchester Mariners, Rye/Yonkers, NY

Putnam Youth Hockey-Pawling, NY                                  

Hudson Valley Polar Bears-Newburgh, NY                             

Hudson Valley High School Hockey League

Long Island Hockey League-Brewster, NY

Long Island Edge-Pelham, NY

 Scheduling based on organization participation, Board of Directors approval including level, age, experience and qualifications.

 All scheduling goes through the scheduler do not find your own replacement (However see exception under game cancellation policy). This to keep all insurance in full force and effect. If you find your own replacement, you negate any insurance coverage and assume responsibility.

 We expect the MHHOA to be your first priority for officiating. Any other organizations you officiate will be secondary to your MHHOA schedule. You will be expected to travel to the various rinks in our service area.

Notify the scheduler immediately if the game you were scheduled has been changed when you arrive at the rink (i.e. Scheduled for mites and peewees are playing).

 GAME FEES AND RELATED INFORMATION

The fee schedule is what you will be paid for each game. Payments are based on the games verified with the Master Schedule; score sheets are not used for payment purposes. Due to the billing procedures of the MHHOA and the payment procedures of the various organizations, you should expect to be paid no less than 45 days after the end of the month you worked. (I.e. if you work at any time in November, you should not expect to be paid until January 15). Referees officiating the levels indicated below will be paid as follows:

Mite      House   $ 18.00                   Peewee/Modified             $47.00

Mite     Travel    $20.00                  Bantam/JV                      $50.00

Squirt    House    $20.00                    Midget/High School        $62.00

Squirt   Travel     $28.00                

College:

Marist- 3 man system $100-$75-$75

New Paltz- 3 man system $100-$70-$70

CCM - 3 man system $125-$90-$90

Men Senior League-Newburgh $55.00. Saugerties $67

If you work alone pay is 1+1/2 above rates only if you notify the scheduler

If games are canceled without notification youmust notify the scheduler you will be paid as follows:

First game canceled-full pay

Last game of any set-1/2 pay (your going home early)

Middle game of any set-1/2 pay (you are there anyway)

You may keep copies of all score sheets to verify you worked the game (in case there is ever a question). Payments are based on a master schedule not on score sheets.

If you are notified of a game cancellation, you are responsible to call your partner and notify them (you will be notified who your partner is if a game is cancelled). We will do our best to notify you of any game cancellations. On occasion, games are cancelled and we are not notified. Weather related cancellations--If in doubt of weather related cancellation, please call 845-868-7769. If games are canceled because of weather, a message will be left on the message machine as soon as possible. If no message on the machine assume your game is still scheduled.

1099’s will be prepared. (Due February). Those families in which two or more members have been paid in one check should notify the scheduler of how much each member was due. A 1099 will reflect each members pay.

A Corporation tax return is due by March 31. The tax return of the MHHOA a not for profit organization, is a matter of public record and will be on file with the state attorney generals office. 

Membership to the MHHOA is not granted simply by passing the USA Hockey referee exam. You must demonstrate responsibility, professionalism, a positive attitude and dedication to the sport of ice hockey. You will be evaluated and provided with constructive suggestions to improve your game as an official.

GAME CANCELLATION POLICY AND RELATED INFORMATION

If you must cancel your assignment-All cancellations must be called into 845-868-7769 only. Include your name, location of game (rink), date and time of game(s) you wish to cancel. The date and time you called is entered on the answering machine to avoid any confusion. If you are canceling less than 5 days prior to your assignment, you must find a suitable replacement. You must call in the name of your replacement immediately (if you call in the name after the game has begun, you are subject to disciplinary action). The scheduler must be notified and approve replacements in order to keep the insurance in effect as well as determine the appropriateness of an official for a game. All cancellations, substitutions or switching games are subject to $2.00 cancellation fee, no exceptions.

In order to get replacement officials in a timely fashion, it is imperative that the scheduler be informed of your need to cancel as soon as possible. The players, coaches, spectators and the organizations we provide services expect two officials at each game. Canceling games in a timely fashion will help ensure that there are two officials at each game. Anyone, regardless of age, or reason not meeting his or her obligations and responsibilities will be subject to certain disciplinary action. It cannot be overstated that once you accept game assignments, you will be held responsible for meeting your obligations. We ask that the MHHOA be given priority over all other organizations that you may officiate with.

EMAIL WILL BE USED TO NOTIFY YOU OF CANCELED GAMES, ADDITIONAL GAMES AVAILABLE AND FOR GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION-CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY!!

The following is not all-inclusive but fines and suspensions will apply:

Any no-show at a scheduled game is subject to suspension and monetary fine.  Canceling your assigned game for any reason (including sickness) from 24 to 72 hours prior to game time. 

 Unexcused absence from Chapter meetings. Reports not mailed to appropriate parties.  GAME SCORESHEETS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY, NAME PRINTED AND SIGNED (see LIAHL procedures for properly completing scoresheets).

NIHOA and ACHA games can only be replaced with NIHOA certified officials.

If you accept a Long Island League game it is your responsibility. You will not be allowed to find a replacement for yourself. If you must cancel it must go through the scheduler directly with no less than 5 days notice. Payment for all Long Island League games will be mailed to you by the LI league.

INJURY REPORTS AND MATCH PENALTY REPORTS

For all USA Hockey NYS Match penalty reports, please forward a copy to the NYS Ref in Chief, Jim Jernigan and the MHHOA President.

NYS Ref in Chief:

District Referee-In-Chief

Volunteer (Heads District Officiating Program)

Mike Shapey      516-933-3463

97 Virginia Ave.

Plainview, NY 11803

MSCPAONICE@aol.com

Jim Jernigan www.,jernigolf@aol.com

Anytime the Police or an Ambulance is called regardless if someone is arrested or is taken away in the ambulance, you MUST CONTACT the regional supervisor Patrick Cooney PjcHockeyRefs@hotmail.com  (516) 496-7625, Jim Jernigan www.jernigolf@aol.com and cc MHHOA RIC, Mark Woinicki the Hudson Valley Training and Evaluation Supervisor at zebraxbar@yahoo.com. A detailed report will be required.  All injury reports must be forwarded to the MHHOA secretary for filing.

It is imperative that the reports be neat and specific as to what occurred. A detailed explanation of what you observed as well as the rule reference must be included in each report

Match Reports are to be appropriately and timely filed. One copy of each report is enclosed. Make Copies for future use.  Be as detailed as possible when submitting reports. Explain in detail exactly what happened and whether police or ambulance was called.

Any game ejection in theHudson Valley High School League (varsity or junior varsity games) requires within 24 hours, a detailed game report specific to what transpired. The report must be filed with the Hudson Valley High School League in all Hudson Valley High School and Junior Varsity games in which a game misconduct or match penalty was assessed. Keep a copy of the score sheet for your reference. It is imperative that the reports be neat and specific as to what occurred. A detailed explanation of what you observed as well as the rule reference must be included in each report.

Submit report to: Lou Lombardo at llombardo@icetimesportscomplex.com and Russell Katz at russellkatz@aol.com

Code of Conduct

As prescribed by the association charter, the Disciplinary Committee will meet during the off-season in the summer months to discuss and define the disciplinary policy and the code of conduct for officials for the upcoming season.  These policies shall be distributed annually at the organizational meeting held in September.

The Code of Conduct for Officials was developed to explain what is expected of a member of our association.

 You will be expected to:

·         Officiate all games you are scheduled.

·         Promptly cancel any game assignments where you have a scheduling conflict where you will not be able to officiate any game you know you will not be able to officiate

·         Attend all mandatory chapter meetings

·         Call your partner 24 hours prior to game assignment to verify who you are doing the game with

·         Arrive to rink for each game assignment a recommended 30 minutes prior to start of the game.

·         Dress professionally in proper referee attire as defined by USA Hockey (clean stripes and black pants, black helmet secured w/chinstrap, black skates w/white laces taped to boot, etc.)

·         Conduct yourself with a professional attitude of a certified USA Hockey Official before, during, and after any game.

As a responsible member of our association, you will  NOT:

·         Use alcohol or illicit drugs before or during any game assignments or chapter events

·         Physically or verbally abusing of any player/coach/parent/spectator as an official before, during, or after any game

·         While participating in a game as a player, coach or spectator, showing disrespectful or inappropriate behavior, including physical or verbal abuse, towards an official before, during, or after any game

·         Use chapter information (ie.roster, letterhead, fee schedules) in a manner not approved by the Board of Directors.

·         Distributing chapter materials including chapter rosters and phone lists, game assignment schedules, fee/fine/meeting schedules, or the association charter to anyone outside of the association.

·         Acting in a violent or disruptive manner at chapter meetings or chapter events 

        Intentionally accepting and officiating game assignments in which a direct family relative (son, daughter, brother, sister, etc.) is a member of either team involved in the game.  Situations do arise when an official is needed to cover a game.  In this case it is left up to the discretion of the official as to whether or not he feels he can officiate the game without bias.

When such situations arise, the Disciplinary Committee will meet on an “as needed” basis to determine whether or not the actions of official involved require disciplinary action.

Any official placed before the Disciplinary Committee for any violation can file a written grievance within 14 days of the incident to state his case.  In the event the Disciplinary Committee feels an official’s conduct warrants expulsion from the association, the committee will recommend to the active chapter that such action be taken.  Any member may be expelled from the chapter.