Tuesday, January 6, 2009

2009 CHL All-Star Game On-Ice Officials Announced


The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the men that will keep order during the 2009 CHL All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday, January 14th at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The referee for the game will be Mark Lemelin and he will be joined by linesmen Jordan Crowell and Pat Smith.

“These officials have worked very hard over recent years and have earned the chance to work in the All-Star Game,” said Wayne Bonney, CHL Officiating Supervisor. “I remember very fondly the 14 NHL All-Star Games I was fortunate enough to participate in and I am confident that participating in this game for these three gentlemen will create similar great memories.”

Lemelin, 27, is in his third season in the CHL and also works in the American Hockey League (AHL) occasionally. Last season, the Albuquerque, New Mexico native worked the President’s Cup Finals. Before joining the CHL, Lemelin worked full time in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and was rewarded with the appointment of the 2006 USHL Finals and 2006 USHL All-Star Game.

Crowell, 26, is in his second season in the CHL after going through the Junior Officiating Development Program from 2005-07. The Overland Park, Kansas native worked game’s three and four of the President’s Cup Finals last season.

Smith, 26, is in his second season in the CHL after working four seasons in the Ottawa District Hockey Association. Last season, the Bainsville, Ontario native worked the President’s Cup Finals and also worked the lines during Game Seven of the Northern Conference Finals and Game Seven of the Southern Conference Finals.

Typical all-star games seem to lack the need for officials with very few stoppages and almost no penalties. This year’s contest could be different as the format of the game has changed to feature the host Colorado Eagles battling a team of CHL All-Stars.

The 2009 CHL All-Star Game will be available on Altitude Sports and Entertainment and on-line via the CHL Network (some broadcast restrictions apply).

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