Panda referee

🚨 Rule shake-up alert! 🚨
The Western Collegiate Hockey League is testing something bold… players can now legally play the puck — and even score — with a high stick. 🏒👀

Game-changer or chaos waiting to happen? 🤔
The new rule applies only to conference games. The eight members of the WCHA are Bemidji State, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Ohio State, St. Cloud State, St. Thomas, and Wisconsin.

The reasoning is promote more goals and goals involving high sticking is considered to be a high skilled hand eye coordination play.

“I am not worried that kids will be swinging around their stick like they are fencing or something,” said Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall . “It’s going to be highly skilled players. I am not too concerned about it. I think we will be able to be safe in that environment, and we will just see how it goes.” ( )

🛡️ Neck Guard Rule Simplified 🏒🐼

If a player loses their neck laceration protector during play, it is treated the same as a mouthpiece. Play will continue until the next stoppage, then the player must replace the equipment or undergo a substitution.

• First time a player isn’t wearing proper protective gear → they come off and the team gets a warning.
• Second time → that team takes a misconduct penalty.
• Goalies: the hanging throat protector (“dangler”) is not a substitute for a neck guard.

👉 Safety first. These rules keep players protected while letting the game flow!

“The QMJHL has just lost one of its best referees and, above all, a good person. Behind the scenes and in an often thankless role, Nicolas helped the QMJHL grow over the past 28 years. He was highly respected by managers, coaches and players, as well as by his colleagues. I’ll always remember him fondly. My sympathies to his loved ones.”
- Commissioner Mario Cecchini

An image for the history books. 🏒 Ovechkin sliding in celebration, Hebert 🐼 pointing to the goal — the exact moment Gretzky’s record fell. Absolute chills. 📸

Washington said NO to making it a felony to assault referees.
For the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, over 50% of refs fear for their safety, and 12% have been assaulted on the job.

We’re in a crisis — and lawmakers are still turning their backs on the people who make the game possible.

Referee shortages are getting worse. Abuse is getting worse. And still… no action.

Enough is enough. Protect officials. Pass real laws.

Felony

He shoved TWO teenage refs to the ice… and walked away without prosecution. 🤯❌🏒

Let that sink in.

In Seattle, Uriel Cortes Gonzalez, 42, of Renton stormed the ice during a youth hockey game and physically assaulted two referees — 13 and 14 years old. The attack was caught on video. It went viral. It was unprovoked.

And today? He avoids prosecution. No jail time. No criminal record. Just $1,500 restitution, 80 hours of community service, and an anger management class.

That’s the message the system is sending: violence against officials — even kids — won’t be taken seriously.

How can we expect anyone to step up and officiate when they’re not protected? When the consequences for assault are a slap on the wrist?

This isn’t just disappointing. It’s dangerous. It’s a failure to stand up for the safety of young officials who already face enough pressure.

We stand with these young referees — proud of their strength, but outraged that the justice system failed them.

📢 It’s time to take referee abuse seriously. Enough is enough.

🚨 New Panda Rally Info Sessions Added! 🐼🏒
Thinking about becoming a USA Hockey Referee? Our free summer info sessions are the perfect place to start!

📚 Learn how to:
✅ Register with USA Hockey
✅ Get game assignments
✅ Build leadership & confidence
✅ Join a mentorship program

📅 New Dates:
June 17, July 15, Aug 12, Aug 26
🕠 6:30 PM
📍 Seminole Heights Library – Room 105

Spots are limited — RSVP to [email protected] to save yours!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads—by blood, by choice, or by heart. 💙
Thank you for leading with love, showing up with strength, and teaching us to grow into better people every single day.
Your impact goes far beyond the title. Today, we celebrate you.

🎉 Wish Cup 2025: What You Missed – By the Numbers 🏒💙

From 21 states, 143 teams, and 1,493 players…
To 342 games, 16 divisions, and one panda moonwalk 👀🐼🕺

We laughed. We cried. We drank 999+ cups of coffee.
We lost 120 pucks (RIP), broke 19 sticks, and somehow—only one empty net goal by Mr. Hefty. 😅

Thanks to YOU, we raised $21,702.85 for Make-A-Wish in 2024 💙✨
But we’re not done yet…

🎽 Merch sales are still open
🏒 Our Wish Cup Ice tournament runs July 18–20
📲 Spots are still available—register today and be part of something special!

Because at the end of the day… this is what it’s all about. 💫

💬 Swipe through for the wild stats, warm hearts, and all the Wish Cup magic.

✨ Wishes do come true. ✨

At the All-Star Game of the 2025 Wish Cup, we had the honor of watching something even bigger than hockey—Colby and Mandi Collier presenting a check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help bring dreams to life for kids who need it most. 💙🌟

This tournament started with a vision: combine the love of the game with the power of giving back. And year after year, the Colliers continue to make that vision a reality—with heart, hustle, and hope.

To everyone who played, reffed, cheered, and supported: you helped make this moment possible. Together, we’re more than just a roller hockey community—we’re a movement. 🏒💫

Surround yourself with people who lift you higher.
People with more experience.
People who see the game—and the world—the way you do.

That’s what makes this photo special. Tyler, thank you for coming to the Wish Cup and being such a gracious, inspiring presence for our officials. You reminded our young refs what it means to lead with humility, consistency, and pride.

The Wish Cup isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about raising people.
Helping others grow.
Learning from one another.
Leaving the event better than when we arrived.

We believe officiating is more than calling penalties—it’s about creating value, building trust, and being part of a community that supports each other.

Here, we strive for a fair, safe, and friendly hockey environment. And we do it together—refs, coaches, and players alike.

Thanks for sharing your passion and helping us build something meaningful. 💙

No suspension for Max Domi after his hit on Aleksander Barkov. Instead, he receives a fine — the maximum allowed under the CBA. While fines are meant to serve as a warning, they often carry minimal financial impact for NHL players. The goal? To send a message without escalating to a suspension… but many fans are left wondering if that’s enough.