The USHL has named the eight officials working this year’s Clark Cup Final between the Waterloo Blackhawks and the Muskegon Lumberjacks.  The championship series gets underway on Friday, May 9. 

“The Clark Cup Final represents the highest standard of excellence in junior hockey, and the officials selected to work this series have demonstrated elite performance, professionalism, and consistency throughout the season,” said USHL Director of Officials and retired NHL linesperson John Grandt. “Their selection is a direct result of their commitment to officiating and their ability to manage the game with integrity and composure. I am proud of the entire officiating staff for their dedication to continual development. I look forward to seeing these eight officials represent the best of the USHL on the league’s biggest stage.”

Referees

  • Eric Arrigo (7th USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)
  • Cam Fraser (2nd USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)
  • Grant Hendrich (3rd USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)
  • Kyle McCauley (2nd USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)

Linespersons

  • Craig Ford (2nd USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)
  • Nick Klishko (1st USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)
  • Odin Nelson (2nd USHL season, 2nd Clark Cup Final)
  • Josh Rosenbaum (2nd USHL season, 1st Clark Cup Final)

 

The officials chosen were selected based on their body of work throughout the season along with feedback from league supervisors and team coaches.

“Their professionalism, performance, and ability to manage high-stakes competition earned them this opportunity,” said Glenn Hefferan, USHL President and Commissioner. “Through our partnership with USA Hockey’s Advanced Officiating Development Program (AODP) and in collaboration with the ECHL, AHL, and NHL, we remain committed to identifying, training, and advancing officials who are prepared to succeed at the highest levels of the game. These eight officials represent the very best of that development system in action.”

All USHL officials are part of USA Hockey’s Advanced Officiating Development Program. Many also officiate in other leagues. 

Arrigo, Fraser, Ford, and Nelson all worked in the ECHL this season.  Ford, Nelson, and Rosenbaum also worked the lines in the AHL, with Rosenbaum picking up additional assignments with the NCHC.

Al Kimmel, National Hockey League Senior Director of Officiating Scouting and Development, congratulated the eight officials.

“The Clark Cup Final is a great stage for not only exceptional players but also young, aspiring American officials on their development journey to work all levels of pro, international, and college hockey,” said Kimmel. “The NHL is excited to continue our partnership with the USHL and USA Hockey in supporting these officials during their assignments in the Clark Cup Final. The NHL appreciates the invitation to be part of this exciting series and looks forward to observing all eight officials selected to work.”

The USHL has advanced more than 600 officials to professional, collegiate, and international levels of hockey, including 22 former USHL officials who went on to earn a contract to wear the stripes in the National Hockey League (active officials in bold): David Banfield, Jacob Brenk, Tom Chmielewski, Chris Ciamaga, Ryan Daisy, Harry Dumas, John Grandt, Beaudry Halkidis, Mitchell Hunt, Justin Kea, Mark Lemelin, Brian Mach, Peter MacDougall, Kilian McNamara, CJ Murray, Bryan Pancich, Brian Pochmara, Chris Rooney, Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Furman South, Ian Walsh, and Scott Zelkin.