There’s an old saying, if you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes. Since it’s inception, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference has been open to trying new things. They’ve been the lead dog.
Moreover, while some in college hockey are resistant to change and have dragged their feet on anything that will make the games better, the NCHC has been open to trying new things.
Last night, during an exhibition game between the University of North Dakota and the Under-18 Team, the NCHC mic’d up their on-ice officials. Just like the NHL officials, when the refs called a penalty, they turned on their microphones and made the call at center ice in front of the penalty box. I thought it was well received and it was interesting listening to Brad Shepherd and Sterling Egan make the call over the arena’s PA system. It’s also very transparent.
A big thanks to @UNDsports and @TheREA for working with NCHC officials to help make this happen! We will discuss with the membership on whether we can implement across all venues in the future. #NCHCHockey https://t.co/it4QhIm71S
— Josh Fenton (@Fenton_JC) December 30, 2018
According to Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, this is an experiment and will not be happening every game.
The NCHC is expected to collect feedback from the teams, officials and fans in the coming week about the experiment.
If feedback is positive, expect further discussions on the topic at the annual coach and administrator meetings in April in Florida. Those discussions would likely center on the feasibility of doing it at all eight NCHC venues, and if that’s impossible, the possibility of doing it at select arenas.
So, if you approve of the on-ice officials being mic’d up, by all means, let the NCHC know how you feel. Last night, I sent out this tweet.
Nice to see the @TheNCHC mic up the on-ice officials. Just like the NHL does, you will know what the call on the ice is. Great job @Fenton_JC and @DonAdam7
— Eric J. Burton TSD (@goon48) December 30, 2018
If you weren’t at the arena last night, you can listen to the call for yourself.
Tonight was a fun little project with @theREA. Love being at a department willing and wanting to try new things to better the in game experience. #RefMics! #TestPhases pic.twitter.com/m8LgKseF9b
— Erik Martinson (@E_Martinson1) December 30, 2018
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