Advancement Combine
Learn the Pathway. Showcase Your Readiness.

About the Program

The NAHL Officiating Advancement Combine (NOAC), operated by the NAHL Officiating Department (NOD), is an educational and identification event designed for officials seeking to advance within the USA Hockey Advanced Officiating Development Program (AODP) pathway.

As a proud member of the AODP, the NAHL family of leagues—including the NAPHL, NA3HL, and NAHL—serves as an important step within USA Hockey's officiating development ladder. As the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II and Tier III junior hockey pathway in the United States, these leagues provide aspiring officials with exposure to high-level junior hockey while supporting their continued growth through education, mentorship, coaching, and meaningful developmental experiences.

Together, the AODP and the NOD have a proven track record of advancing officials to collegiate, professional, international, and additional USA Hockey opportunities. Through a structured advancement model, officials are provided opportunities to develop their skills, gain experience at progressively higher levels, and continue advancing throughout the officiating pathway.

The NOAC is designed to help officials better understand that pathway while providing the NOD an opportunity to evaluate an official's readiness for future development opportunities. Through a combination of classroom instruction and an on-ice skating evaluation, participants will gain valuable insight into the standards, expectations, and opportunities associated with officiating junior hockey and beyond.

Why Attend?

Understand the Pathway

Learn how the AODP and the NAHL family of leagues work together to create advancement opportunities for officials pursuing higher levels of hockey

Explore Opportunities

Gain insight into officiating opportunities within the NAHL family of leagues and how they fit within the USA Hockey officiating development pathway

Learn From Experienced Leaders

Interact with NOD leadership while gaining valuable perspective on the habits, standards, and professionalism required for advancement

Showcase Your Readiness

Participate in an on-ice skating evaluation designed to assess your readiness for consideration for future opportunities within the NAHL family of leagues and other AODP member programs, including the USHL

Take the Next Step — Free of Charge

Leave with a clearer understanding of the expectations, standards, and pathway to advance within the NAHL family of leagues and AODP. There is no cost to participate

USA Hockey Seminar Credit

Officials registered for the 2026–27 season as USA Hockey Level 3 or Level 4 officials may use participation in the combine to satisfy their USA Hockey seminar requirement for the 2026–27 season

2026 Advancement Combine Dates

• Billings, MT
  Sunday, August 2, 2026
  Signal Peak Energy Arena
  9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Salt Lake City, UT
  Friday, August 7, 2026
  Utah Mammoth Ice Center
  5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
• Denver, CO
  Sunday, August 9, 2026
  South Suburban Sports Complex
  10:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Questions? Please contact Kendall Hanley, NAHL Manager, Officiating.

Eligibility

• Open to USA Hockey registered officials who are 18 years of age or older
• Applicants should possess strong skating ability and a commitment to continued development
• Space is limited. Applications will be reviewed by the NOD and participants who are selected to attend will receive additional information on the camp registration and payment process
• Participation does not guarantee selection, assignment, or placement within any league or program

Travel, Accommodation & Meals

• Participants are responsible for all travel arrangements to and from the NOAC, as well as transportation between all event venues (e.g., hotel and rink) throughout the combine
• Participants traveling from outside the local area are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own accommodations
• Meals will not be provided during the combine. Participants are responsible for coordinating their own meals and should plan accordingly

Application Process & Timeline

• The deadline to apply is July 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
• Applicants will be notified of their application results on or before July 24, 2026
• If selected to participate, you will receive additional details on the registration process. There is no cost to participate
• Apply Here