Photo by Michael Caples
Last year, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association hosted a unique event to welcome and train new referees in real games with veteran officials right by their side on the ice.
The event was a success at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena in Troy, and this time around, MAHA is bringing its “Earn Your Stripes” event to Grand Rapids.
On Sept. 16, aspiring referees will take part in a USA Hockey Level 1 training course before heading out onto the ice to work real, live hockey games with veteran officials who are donating their time to train and support the next generation.
MAHA invites teams from across Michigan to participate at no charge to the participants, giving them free ice and fun competition early in the season.
“This event will give us the opportunity to pair new officials with veterans, to allow younger referees to get some game experience going into the season,” said Michigan referee-in-chief Howard (J.P.) Parmentier via the MAHA official website. “We hope to attract a few new officials to help us get our numbers back where they were, pre-pandemic.”
Thirty-two teams will have the opportunity to participate in games, which will span across Patterson Ice Center and Southside Ice Arena.
New referees – either completely new entering at Level 1 or those looking to hone their skills as they move up to Level 2 – can register for the event by contacting the Michigan RIC at midistrictric@gmail.com.
Teams looking to register can click here.
To learn more about the “Earn Your Stripes” check out the video produced last season following the inaugural event:
