The Manitoba Moose are proud to present an exciting opportunity to all on-ice referees and officials from Hockey Manitoba to come out to a special clinic at the MTS Centre with three distinguished members of the NHL officiating fraternity.

On Thursday, January 29, the Manitoba Moose are pleased to showcase:

Dan McCourt – Currently retired as an active official, he has been working for the NHL for the past five years as Officiating Manager under Senior Vice-President and Director of Officiating, Stephen Walkom. McCourt was a veteran of over 1,700 NHL regular season and playoff games since his first season in 1979. He also has the distinction of being the first official of native descent to work in the NHL.

Wayne Forsey – He began his officiating career in the NHL in 1979, and worked more than 600 games before retiring in 1987 to begin a career in the orthopedic medical industry. Forsey was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1971, and played junior hockey for the Swift Current Broncos before he began his career as an official.

Kyle Rehman – He began his officiating career in 2000, and started in the WHL in 2002. He officiated in the WHL for five years, working in the finals three times, as well as two Memorial Cups (2006 & 2007). He won the Allen Paradice Memorial Award in 2005/06 (Top Official voted by GMs and Coaches). He has also been officiating AHL games since 06/07, and worked his first NHL game on January 22, 2008 in a game between Edmonton and Tampa Bay.

The evening will begin at 4:00 PM with an on ice session conducted by Kyle and Wayne. These gentlemen will conduct demonstrations on the ice, and Dan will be in the stands to emcee the session, as well as answer any questions from the officials watching from the stands.

Following the on ice session, everyone will head upstairs to our Atrium space, where you will watch a couple of instructional DVD’s: Hockey for Life and 212 Degrees (these DVD’s are given to every high level official in the NHL and the AHL to watch at the beginning of the season), as well as a PowerPoint presentation. Dan will also have a short presentation on behalf of Ryan Galloway, an NHL linesman and graduate of Hockey Manitoba’s officiating ranks. Dan and Wayne will also have a session to answer any questions you may have, as well as regale you with stories of their experiences through more than 50 years in professional hockey.

Pizza and soft drinks will also be served for everyone in attendance. As well, as an extra bonus, everyone in attendance will receive a Manitoba Moose Hardcore Hockey toque.

Once the Q & A session is complete, everyone will head downstairs to enjoy some great Manitoba Moose action when the Manitoba Moose take on the Rockford Ice Hogs at 7:30 PM, where you will be able to watch Kyle in action as the referee for the evening’s game.

This offer has been extended to all Referees and Officials in the province of Manitoba, and you can purchase this package for only $30 to attend the whole event. You will receive:

-A Ticket to the game on January 29, 2009

-Entry to the on-ice and off-ice sessions with Dan, Wayne and Kyle

-Pizza and a soft drink in the atrium

-A Hardcore Hockey Moose toque

As well, everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into a draw to participate in the on-ice drills with Wayne and Kyle. Winners will be informed by Tuesday, March 27 on their participation in the session.

If you would like to order tickets for this great event, please contact Mike Labay by phone at 926-5526, or by email at mlabay@moosehockey.com, and I will process your order and sign you up for the clinic. Space is limited for the clinic, so order your tickets early to be a part of this great experience.