Q&A With Scott Brand

Last season around this time, I did a Q&A with the USHL's Director of Officials, Scott Brand. I decided to ask Scott if he'd be willing to do it again, and he was more than happy to answer a few questions for the blog.

Thanks to Scott Brand for taking some time to answer a few questions!


1. Which referees have moved on from the USHL?
Referees: Chris Pitsocia-ECHL, Brett Sheva-ECHL, Kevin Curtis-CHL, Andrew Wilk-ECHL.
Linesmen: Ryan Daisy-ECHL, Brian Oliver-ECHL, Zac Thornton-ECHL, and Morgan-ECHL.

2. Are there any new rule changes that the league will put into play for this season?
No new rules.

3. Along the lines of the last question, what was behind the decision to allow the U18 kids in the league to wear visors this year?
It has been something we have looked at for 25+ years. We believe with more players wearing visors, it will result in less major injuries and more respect among the players. It's a pilot program and we have been given the opportunity to look at the data at the end of the season, and I know the NCAA is very interested in our findings.

4. What are your thoughts on fighting in the junior ranks and the USHL in particular, and is there a movement to ban it? If so do you think that will make the game more dangerous due to stick work and dirty hits?
The 2nd part of the question will not need to be addressed, but if we did, YES it would be more dangerous. First and foremost, THANK YOU for asking about a so called "move" to ban fighting. I think 1-2 so called "in the know" hockey experts or fans hear part of something or see something and never get the facts. THE UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE IS NOT LOOKING TO BAN FIGHTING. Please everyone re-read the last sentence. Now we are addressing it and talking about fights-YES. We must keep the players safe is first and foremost, they can keep their helmets on, or at least start with the helmet on and still fight when they are wearing a visor. Newer hockey players in general don't know-why, who, how, and even when to fight. A true hockey fan understands we must end what I call the "facebook" fight, they make our sport look like professional wrestling and damage our sport. Two players square off for no reason-just stupid. A goaltender gets bumped hard, or an elbow is thrown or liberties are taken, I think we all understand a fight may occur, and most of us see it as a way of policing the game. I can's say fighting is part of the game, but........

5. Will you be doing any games this season with the 2 ref system? If so, how many?
Yes - 10% of home games, so 6 of 32 games will be done in the 4 man system.

6. Are you concerned that the rule saying once guys take off their helmet they have to go immediately? Will kids be forced to fight before feeling each other out and does the ref have some leeway to use his discretion before calling a penalty?
Well that's really not the rule, the rule is a player can not deliberately remove their helmet to fight. If the helmet comes off in the natural act of fighting (punched off), no additional penalties will be assessed. The officiating discretion would come in when the official is unsure if the removal was deliberate. It's like the elbow pad rule, you can't deliberately remove the elbow pad, but if it comes off during the fight as a result of the fight, no additional penalties are assessed. If players do deliberately remove their helmets prior to engaging in the act of the fight- we have instructed our linesmen to step in, again the safety of the player is at stake.

7. Lastly, there have been multiple rumors of USHL expansion in the east, most notably Buffalo. Will there be USHL hockey in Buffalo in the next few years?
There are rumors of the USHL expanding everywhere and I hear them too. I am sorry but I am really not in the know, the league office would be a much better place to start. I think any business/hockey person would realize, yes more teams in the east to fill in the Youngstown/Indiana teams (division) would cut down on travel. I can't speak to any specific cities, I hear the same things, there are a lot of window shoppers. First and foremost we need an arena, I don't know of any arenas that are being built, lots on the drawing table, but none where the shovel is in the ground.

Interview with Scott Brand

I decided to step back into the blogging scene and I am starting back with a few interviews. The first interview I will be doing is with the USHL Director of Officiating, Scott Brand.

Which referees have promoted following last season?
Tom Chmielewski, Don Jablonski, Andy Thackaberry, Jake Brenk, Joe Demizio, Steve Walsh and Brett Martin have all accepted full-time positions with the ECHL. Zac Blazic, Peter Tarnaris, Kyle DeMaggion, John McAfee and Shaun Morgan have all joined the CHL.

Describe what a USHL referee must do in order to be a referee in this league.
Conquer a lower level junior league like the NAHL or AJHL, or finish in the top 3 at the USA Hockey National Camp. Then come to our 6 day training camp held over Labor Day weekend. They are physically tested and lots of mental preparation, plus rule exams.

Will there be any new rules enforced this season and have there been any discussions on whether or not to change any rules?
Biggest Rule change is player can no longer deliberately remove their helmet prior to a fight, so no more dancing around and going to center ice. Less "staging of a fight." Shoot outs will only be 3 players deep now then sudden death shooter if they are tied after 3- same as the NHL. We added the penalty "head contact" for a player who targets another head with his arm, shoulder or elbow. We have also put tougher rules in place to deal with players who embellish (dive) during our games.

During this offseason, there have been 3 deaths to NHL players who have been known for their fighting. Will the USHL look to crack down on fighting this season?

I am not sure that fighting is so much the issue as head trauma is in general. Keeping the player helmets on during the fighting should help, someday getting all players in half-shields and our leagues commitment to the removal of hard shell plastic shoulder, elbow and forearm guards should help eliminate injuries.


I'm sure you're well aware of this new battle between the USHL and CHL and Skip Prince's letter. What are your thoughts on the USHL playing a game (or games) against the CHL teams up north?

First and foremost I have the utmost respect for the CHL, I think they and the major junior route has it's place in hockey. I personally don't however understand why a player would NOT want to play in the USHL at no cost to him or his family, get a full ride to a Divison 1 school, get an education, then go play in the NHL. The NHL is not going anywhere and how many players actually make a career at it that when they retire they don't have to work anymore. I think a lot of 15, 16, 17 year old kids are seeing dollar signs and jumping to what they think is a quick ticket to the NHL. Some players aren't very good at school, or dont plan on going to college so in those circumstances major juniors would be what is right for them. As to playing the CHL, I would welcome it and I think the time is right, but looking at it from the CHL side, why would they play us? I am sure they are thinking that when we play them and the USHL wins, they lose their bragging rights.

Thank you Scott for taking the time for a short interview.

Interesting rule changes for this season and hopefully the head shots will decrease drastically. Good move, USHL!