Knoxville Ice Bears

Official Development

date: 08/26/2009

USA Hockey Officiating Development Program Sends

Pancich Directly to NHL and others to Pro Hockey

The USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and the United States Hockey League announced today that Bryan Pancich a native of Great Falls, MT has been hired by the National Hockey League as a linesman for the 2009-10 season. Pancich was signed to a 40/40 contract which will see him working games in the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League until a full-time linesmen position becomes available at the NHL level.  He also becomes the first official signed directly from the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and the United States Hockey League by the NHL. The 26 year old Pancich began working with the ODP at age of 17 years first working games in his home town of Billings, MT in the America West Hockey League. Later he  relocated to the Midwest and over the course of nine seasons in the program had a number of significant assignments including working multiple USHL All-Star Games, USHL Championship Rounds, the American Hockey League playoffs and five Calder Cup Finals appearances from 2005-2009.

 

Scott Brand, USA Hockey’s ODP coordinator said “This is more good news for our program, Bryan is an excellent official, an outstanding representative of our program and just as importantly a great person. Pancich joins current NHL officials David Banfield, Chris Ciamaga and Brian Pochmara who participated in the ODP, as well as former USHL officials Ian Walsh, Chris Rooney and Brian Mach. who are also part of the NHL officiating staff. 

 

Pancich reacted to his NHL hiring, "This opportunity would have never been possible without the support of USA Hockey and Scott Brand with the U.S. Junior Development Officiating Program.  I am grateful for the mentors who have guided me through the officiating ranks. "Working games in the AWHL in Montana 9 years ago I never dreamt this was possible. Though as I progressed through the USHL and into the AHL, I set my dream goal. This has been a culmination of hard work, patience, persistence, and perseverance." 
 
"I'm truly humbled by the opportunity to work in the National Hockey League."

 

“We are excited to have played a part in Bryan’s upward climb to the NHL,” commented SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs on Pancich, who also worked several games in the SPHL last year.

 

The ODP and USHL are also extremely excited to announce that a record 11 officials have accepted full-time positions with several professional hockey leagues.  Tim Mayer (Okemos, MI); JM McNultyNick Krebsbach (Minot, ND); and Jim Scarpace (Detroit, MI) have all accepted positions with the ECHL, an “AA” pro league with member teams across North America. In addition Dan Dreger (Denver, CO); Justin Greene (Plymouth, MA); Ryan Hersey (San Diego, CA); Jon Shaw (Boulder, CO); John Grandt (Denver, CO); and Bill McGoldrick (Hyannis, MA) will be joining the “AA” level Central Hockey League which has teams in the South Central and Southwest United States. (Huntington Beach, CA);

 

“The fact that these former SPHL officials have been recognized for their potential and are now moving up through the officiating ranks reflects well on our partnership with USA Hockey and Scott Brand in particular,” added Commissioner Combs.

 

“We are thrilled for the officials and know they will make a solid impact on the leagues they are working for. This was a great season for our staff and demonstrates the quality of our officials and the ODP. Without question, a large part of the credit is due to the support of USA Hockey and the various leagues (owners, players, coaches and some fans!) who understand that their role and our program is also about providing opportunities for developing and advancing officials in addition to their focus on the development of  coaches,  players and off ice administrators. The ODP is blessed to have such a great support system added Brand.”

 

Last year over 30 other ODP participants had the chance to work professional or Division I College hockey games as part of their overall development. Other opportunities for promotions still exist for next season as Division One College conferences will be holding their officiating camps in September and a number of ODP officials will be attending those camps.   

 

The USA Hockey ODP is beginning its 12th season and was the brain child of former USA Hockey VP of Junior Hockey Dave Tyler; former USHL President Gino Gasparini; former AWHL chairman Eric Bonanno and current USA Hockey Officiating Director Matt Leaf. Scott Brand, a former junior player, junior and professional referee, Vice President and General Manager of the Waterloo Black Hawks (92-96) and Dubuque Fighting Saints (96-98) has coordinated the ODP since it’s inception. The program has produced over 250 officials for the professional and college level after just 11 seasons.

 

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