USA Hockey’s BioSteel All-American Game features the top US-born players eligible for the upcoming NHL draft. It’s also a terrific opportunity for the organization’s top officials.
Referees John Lindner and Rocco Stachowiak have been tapped to work the game, as have linesmen Bryan Gorcoff and Matt Heinen.
“These showcase events feature the up-and-coming talent within USA Hockey for not just players, but our officials as well,” said Matt Leaf, director of officiating education for USA Hockey. “These four officials have worked hard for this opportunity, and represent the success of our officiating development program.”
From USA Hockey:
Lindner (San Diego, CA) has been an official since age 11 and has previously officiated the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, as well as the 2019 Robertson Cup Championship (NAHL) and 2021 Clark Cup Final (USHL).
Stachowiak (Chicago, IL) also officiated in the 2021 Clark Cup Final, after previously working the 2015 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. The Chicago native is in his ninth season with USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program, including six years as a linesman.
Gorcoff (Columbus, OH) has been an official for 12 seasons, including working the 2018 Robertson Cup Championship and 2021 Clark Cup Final.
Heinen (Minnetonka, MN) began officiating as a college student in his final two years while attending the University of Denver in 2019, and has been selected to work both the 2019 and 2020 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, in addition to working the 2021 Clark Cup Final.
All four officials are currently working their first ECHL season and have experience officiating junior hockey in both the USHL and NAHL.
Gorcoff and Heinen also handled the lines at the 2021 NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.
The All-American Game, which will be broadcast on the NHL Network, is slated for 4:00pm Eastern Time on Monday, January 17. It will be immediately followed by coverage of the ECHL All-Star Classic.
