Next Shift Applications Now Open
The North American Hockey League (NAHL), in cooperation with the NA3HL and NAPHL is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the ‘Next Shift’ initiative for the 2024-25 season.
Established in 2022, the Next Shift initiative is a collaborative effort between the NAHL and the USA Hockey Officiating Program to recruit, develop, and advance brand new on-ice officials. The initiative was implemented to target former hockey players who have a passion for the game and incentivize them to take their next shift as an on-ice official.
Operated by the NAHL Officiating Department, which includes NAHL Director of Officiating Keith Kaval, NAHL Manager of Officiating, Kendall Hanley, and Coordinator of Officiating, Ian McCambridge, the Next Shift initiative is carefully designed to provide education, exposure and experience to new officials who are starting their officiating career and who ultimately aspire to advance into higher levels of amateur hockey, junior hockey and beyond. Through the strategic use of NAHL family of league, the goal will be to develop Next Shift officials into successful game managers at the NAPHL and NA3HL levels, with the objective of advancing them into the NAHL and beyond.
“We have seen great officiating success stories come through the NAHL. The recruitment and development process provided by the Next Shift initiative ensures we will continue to see officials who get their start in the NAHL family of leagues move on and succeed,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.
Notable NAHL Officiating Alumni include:
Shane Gustafson
IIHF, AHL, ECHL Linesman
2017 NAHL Robertson Cup, Linesman
2015 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Linesman
Logan Gruhl
IIHF, ECHL Referee
2018 NAHL Robertson Cup, Referee
2018 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Referee
2017 NAPHL Dixon Cup, Referee & Linesman
Sean MacFarlane
IIHF, DEL (GER), AHL, ECHL Referee
2014 NAHL Robertson Cup, Referee
2013 NA3HL Silver Cup, Referee
Kilian McNamara
NHL Linesman
2018 NAHL Robertson Cup, Linesman
2018 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Linesman
Austin O'Rourke
AHL, ECHL Referee
2022 NAHL Robertson Cup, Referee
2022 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Referee
2017 NAHL Robertson Cup Champion - Lone Star Brahmas (Player)
Jack Young
IIHF, AHL, ECHL Referee
2021 NAHL Roberston Cup, Referee
2021 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Referee
2019 NAHL Robertson Cup, Linesman
2019 NA3HL Fraser Cup, Linesman
Space is limited. The online application for the Next Shift initiative will close Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM. Applicants will be notified of their application results on or before June 17, 2024. If selected to participate, officials will receive additional details on the Next Shift initiative confirmation process, important dates, and other relevant information.
Applications are now being accepted to join the Next Shift initiative. For a full overview of initiative benefits, requirements, important deadlines and dates, and details on the sign-up bonus policy please visit http://www.nahl.com/officiating/next-shift/ Are you ready for your next shift?
