NCHC Honors Biondich with Rudolph Officiating Award

NCHC referee Nick Biondich has been named the recipient of the conference’s 2025-26 Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced Monday.

Biondich was presented with the award Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, Minnesota, as part of the NCHC’s referee camp. NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems and Director of Officiating Mike Schmitt bestowed the honor, with Biondich’s wife, Nicole, and his parents, Dan and Liz, in attendance.

The Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is given to “an individual who, through dedicated effort and service both on and off the ice, achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season and significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program.”

A 12-year veteran of the NCHC officiating staff, Biondich started as a linesman in 2014 before moving into the referee role in 2024-25. The Hermantown, Minnesota, resident has served as a mentor and instructor in USA Hockey’s officiating development program since 2007. He previously served as District 11 Supervisor of Officials in Minnesota and was recently elected Minnesota Hockey Officials North Vice President.

“Nick is a true representation of what this award is about. Nick gives back to his community in so many ways,” Schmitt said. “His work with younger officials in the Duluth area through USA Hockey has built up the officiating pool and piqued interest in being a referee or linesman. Within the NCHC, Nick is a great team member and looked upon as a leader among our senior officials. His knowledge of the NCAA rules is incredible and allowed him to be involved in the making of the updated Division I men’s hockey rule book.”

Off the ice, Biondich is a full-time firefighter in Duluth, where he was promoted to Assistant Chief this past December. He volunteered as an EMT with the Eveleth Fire Department in the early 2000s and later with the Hermantown Fire Department – where he was named Firefighter of the Year – before leaving his job as a physical therapist to join the Duluth department full-time. He organizes the annual golf tournament fundraiser for the Duluth Honor Guard, serves on the Duluth Firefighters Local 101 scholarship committee, rings bells for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, and helps train future firefighters through classes at Lake Superior College.

The award is named for Mark Rudolph, the longtime official and distinguished administrator who established USA Hockey’s National Officiating Program. The NCHC’s version was established ahead of the 2014-15 season and is not presented every year; Biondich is the first recipient since retired NHL linesperson Thor Nelson in 2024.

Past NCHC Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award winners: