Thousands of our young USA Hockey youth referees age 14-17 quit being officials each year due to verbal abuse from coaches, spectators, players & others. 

If we do not protect our young refs & keep them safe we will continue to lose great young refs as they just get going. If we do not do something to protect them.

Now is the time to act. Recently, Canada began a program to protect its young new refs age 17 and younger. They were a bright green armband. This lets everyone in the rink know that they are new young refs, learning out there just like our sons & daughters. In addition to that. They put up educational posters and sent out statements online educating the public as to what the green armbands signified.

Many times when passions run high at hockey games adult coaches and spectator parents yell, scream, threaten, chastise, argue, belittle, speak condesendingly & verbally abuse young refs. I say ENOUGH! We have to do a better job of protecting these kids.

We have to change this & protect these young refs as they are learning to become officials. Especially in their first few years on ice when they make make a mistake or get a call wrong. 

As a level 4 USA hockey coach myself I am concerned about the emotional & mental health, welfare & safety of our young officials & am asking for you to add your voice to this petition so I can try to move the needle and get USA hockey to make this change prior to next season. We don't need them quitting officiating due to these abuses.

Let's do what's right. Let's protect our kids on ice. Please sign this petition so we can hopefully send in voice a message to USA hockey that the time is now to mandate green armbands for refs age 17 and under & to send out educational posters along with online education across the country to every USA hockey organization educating folks on what the new green arm bands mean. We should not lose even one young official due to verbal abuse. When folks see the arm bands they should immediately know to take it easy, that the kid is out there learning just like their sons & daughters.

Kids before wins....

USA hockey Coach James Colby

West Seneca NY