By Tom DiFusco, National Coordinator of Women’s Ice Hockey Officials
2015-16 Season
Hello Everyone,
Now that the 2015-16 season is completed the NCAA fells that this is a good
opportunity to inform everyone on the schedule of events for the upcoming months with
a Q/A format from my point of view.
Q- How did the season go from my perspective?
A- Overall in my opinion the season went well in Division I as well as Division –III.
There were a couple of concerns from coaches at both levels.
First concern was the delaying tactics off of face-offs. This has been a concern
that has been addressed with officials and will continue be addressed in the
2016-17 season.
Seconded concerned is the process of recruiting of officials. All league
supervisors are aware of this and are continuing to work on this in the off season.
This is on the supervisor’s agenda meeting in June.
Q- What do the next few months detail in my position?
A- From the time the Women’s Frozen Four ends in March and the league clinics
begin in September some of my responsibilities are as follows:
April 26th -29th- Preparing to meet with the Coaches of Division –I & III at the
Naples American Hockey Coaches Convention. Also will meet with the Rules
Committee and the Division –I & III Championship Committees.
June 6th-9th- Preparing to meet in Indianapolis at the NCAA Headquarters for the
annual rules committee meeting.
June 6th-9th- Meeting with the Division–I & III Championship Committees
reviewing how the Championships went and the progress we can make moving
forward in future championships.
June 23rd & 24th- Preparing to meet with all the league officials supervisors in
Indianapolis to inform them of all the new rule changes along with current rules.
July – Working on New video clips preparing for the 2016-17 seasons rules
video.
August / September- Working along with Ty Halpin, Frank Cole, Steve
Piotrowski on traveling to site location league clinics preparing Officials for the
upcoming season new and current rules.
Q- In my opinion what Officials should be working on in the off season to improve?
A- On the Arbiter web site there is a Power Point on Officiating peak performance that I
would highly recommend, Written by Artie Poitras.
Q- Are there rules proposals coming this summer?
A- Yes, Currently the Rules Committee sent out rule proposal forms. The rules
committee meets June 7-9. All proposals will be acted on and potentially added to
the 2016-17 rule book.
Q- What rule would I like to see be more consistent. Hand Pass (Current Rule 84.2).
Closing your hand on the puck.
Hand Passes in Defensive Zone. The rule was changed in the last cycle to no
longer allow hand passes in the defensive zone. In addition to a whistle, this was added
to the list of violations that do not allow the offending team to change players. Has this
been an effective rules change? Additionally, if a player closes their hand on the puck,
play is stopped, but a player change is allowed. Shouldn’t this be consistent?
Finally, Hope you all enjoy the off season!
Tom DiFusco