Big Ten Conference picks its supervisor of hockey officials

CCHA director of officials to switch to Big Ten for its first season.

By Roman Augustoviz Star Tribune

May 15, 2012 — 6:39am

Steve Piotrowski, who lives in Troy, N.Y., has been named the coordinator of men's hockey officials for the Big Ten Conference, which will be formed in the 2013-14 season with six teams.

He has been director of officials for the CCHA for five years. The CCHA, of course, will disband after this coming season.

"[Piotrowski] brings a proven level of officiating expertise and a strong commitment to the college game," said Jennifer Heppel, associate commissioner of the Big Ten.

"I'm eager to begin developing the Big Ten's hockey officiating program," Piotrowski said in a Big Ten news release, "and embark on the challenges that will come with this new role."

He will start working for the Big Ten as soon as the 2012-13 CCHA season ends. For the CCHA, he oversees a staff of 20 referees and 60 linesmen and two supervisors. He is also secretary-rules editor of the NCAA men's hockey rules committee.

Piotrowski was an on-ice officials with the CCHA for 26 years and worked in 14 NCAA tournaments. Ferris State is his alma mater.

DU TO PLAY FIVE SINGLE GAMES

Denver has released its 2012-13 schedule. The Pioneers are in a scheduling pod with Colorado College, North Dakota and St. Cloud State, meaning the Pioneers will play each of those teams four times.

They will also play five single games, including the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game against Boston University on Dec. 29.

The Gophers, after their Frozen Four run, should be the preseason favorite in the WCHA, but DU should be ranked high, too.

The Pioneers will return 19 lettermen, including:

* captain Paul Phillips, the 6-0, 200-pound defenseman had one goal and eight assists for nine points as a junior

* junior forward Nick Shore (13-28-41), Pios third leading scorer this past season

* defenseman Joey LaLeggia, the national rookie of the year (11-27-38), fourth leading scorer

* and three goalies

DU will have more depth in the nets than any WCHA team and probably any team in the country. Because of injuries coach George Gwozdecky was forced to play three goalies last season. Here they are:

6-2 fr. Juho Olkinuora, 9-8-3, 2.18 gaa, .924, 19 starts

6-3 sophomore Sam Brittain, 8-4-0, 2.38, .932, 12 starts

6-2 junior Adam Murray, 8-2-1, 2.98, .909, 12 starts

The Pioneers made the NCAA tournament but lost in regional play. They finished 25-14-4 overall, 16-8-4 in the WCHA.

Season DU tickets start at $192, single-game tickets at $18.

2012-2013 Denver Pioneers Hockey Schedule
Date Opponent Time (MT)
October 6 British Columbia TBA
October 19 UMass-Lowell 7:37 p.m.
October 20 Air Force 7:07 p.m.
October 26 Michigan Tech * 7:37 p.m.
October 27 Michigan Tech * 7:07 p.m.
November 2 St. Cloud State * 7:37 p.m.
November 3 St. Cloud State * 7:07 p.m.
November 9 @ Minnesota State * 6:37 p.m.
November 10 @ Minnesota State * 6:07 p.m.
November 16 @ Colorado College * 7:37 p.m.
November 17 Colorado College * 7:07 p.m.
November 23 Yale 7:37 p.m.
November 24 New Hampshire 7:07 p.m.
November 30 Wisconsin * 7:37 p.m.
December 1 Wisconsin * 7:07 p.m.
December 7 @ North Dakota * 6:37 p.m.
December 8 @ North Dakota * 6:07 p.m.
December 14 @ Bemidji State * 6:37 p.m.
December 15 @ Bemidji State * 6:07 p.m.
December 29 Boston University ! 7:07 p.m.
January 4 Cornell 7:37 p.m.
January 5 Cornell 7:07 p.m.
January 11 Nebraska Omaha * 7:37 p.m.
January 12 Nebraska Omaha * 7:07 p.m.
January 18 @ St. Cloud State * 6:37 p.m.
January 19 @ St. Cloud State * 6:07 p.m.
February 1 @ Minnesota Duluth * 6:07 p.m.
February 2 @ Minnesota Duluth * 6:07 p.m.
February 8 Colorado College * 7:37 p.m.
February 9 @ Colorado College * 7:07 p.m.
February 22 North Dakota * 7:37 p.m.
February 23 North Dakota * 7:07 p.m.
March 1 @ Minnesota * 6:07 p.m.
March 2 @ Minnesota * 6:07 p.m.
March 8 Alaska Anchorage * 7:37 p.m.
March 9 Alaska Anchorage * 7:07 p.m.
March 15-17 WCHA First Round Playoffs TBA
March 21-23 Red Baron WCHA Final Five (St. Paul, Minn.) TBA
March 29-30