The USHL’s Top Prospects Game offers a great opportunity to bring together some of the league’s most talented players in advance of the upcoming NHL draft.  The event is not only a showcase for the players, but also for the officials selected to work the game.

This year’s officiating crew for the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, held January 10, 2017 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – home of the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede:

Referees

Sean MacFarlane #17  (Spokane, WA)

Jonathon Sitarski #18 (St. Clair Shores, MI)

Linesmen

Kyle Richetelle #97 (Hamden, CT)

Tony Aronson #67 (Cambridge, MN)

 

“The development path from junior hockey to college hockey to the NHL continues to be validated each and every year,” said Bob Fallen, USHL President and Commissioner. “The USHL has produced 30 or more NHL Draft picks in four consecutive years, something only two other junior leagues in the world can say. The USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a celebration for all of the youth organizations and the players they helped develop. Most of these players will go on to have very successful college hockey careers, and a select few will continue that success in the NHL.”

“More eyes than ever will be on the USHL and Sioux Falls, SD as a record crowd eclipsing 8,000 fans is expected to attend, in addition to scouts from every NHL member club. The elite players selected to play in this game have an extraordinary opportunity to put an exclamation point on what the League and hockey in the United States have become in recent years.”

That also applies to the officials.

The USHL, working closely with USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program, has advanced more than 300 officials to professional, collegiate, and international levels of hockey.

Fourteen former USHL on-ice officials have earned a contract to work in the National Hockey League: David Banfield, Tom Chmielewski, Chris Ciamaga, Ryan Daisy, Harry Dumas, John Grandt, Mark Lemelin, Brian Mach, Bryan Pancich, Brian Pochmara, Chris Rooney, Furman South, Ian Walsh, and Scott Zelkin.   (Active NHL officials in bold)

For more on the 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, including rosters, coaches, and tickets, visit the USHL’s Top Prospects Game Hub