ECHL officials will be back in Traverse City for the 2023 NHL Prospect Tournament.
Referees Chad Ingalls, David Lilly, Hunter Mottinger and Brendan Schreider will work this year’s tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, alongside linespeople Zach Carson, Luke Pye, Kirsten Welsh, and Tyler Willie. It’s the 11th straight tournament officiated by ECHL stripes.
ECHL Manager of Officiating Riley Yerkovich will also be in attendance, handling assignments and scheduling, as well as assisting with any rule situations.
“The ECHL Officiating Team would like to thank the NHL, Detroit Red Wings and participating teams for hosting one of the best off-season events in hockey,” said Yerkovich via ECHL.com.
“The Traverse City Prospects Tournament allows our officials to officiate high-caliber hockey and is incredibly important to the development of our on-ice staff. Furthermore, the ECHL Officiating Team would like to thank the support staff for all teams and Centre Ice Arena. Our officials always feel welcome at the event, and it is a highlight of many of their careers.”
Six of the tournament officials worked in the ECHL last season, with Mottinger (USHL) and Pye (OHL) new to the league.
This is the third prospect tournament for Kirsten Welsh, who previously officiated the 2021 Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge and the 2022 NHL Prospects Showcase in North Carolina.
This year’s event in Traverse City features four teams – the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs – battling in a round-robin format from September 14-17.
Congratulations to the eight ECHL officials selected to work this year’s Traverse City NHL Prospect Tournament.
