Tim Wheeler, Albany Cougar right wing, achieves USA hockey certification as a level 1 referee
Dec. 31, 2007



The Albany Cougars are boasting what we believe to be an ASHA first! Tim Wheeler, Cougar right wing, has achieved USA hockey certification as a level 1referee. Tim has been a cougar for 10 years, joining the team at its inception. He's 22 years old and has skated since he was 4. He learned to skate as a mini-mite and then a mite in the Sheffield, Mass youth hockey organization . Tim continued his devotion to the game he loves by managing his older brother's youth hockey teams and then his high school hockey team. As much as he loved those jobs, he's always dreamed of wearing black and white stripes!! His dream has come true because of determination and hard work.
Tim attended a referee clinic in Plattsburgh, NY in the fall where he got top notch instruction, and worked extremely hard on his take home test. He passed and his patch is now proudly displayed on his stripes. Tim has joined the Capital District Independent Hockey Officials Association (CDIHOA) and is now part of their mentoring program. He continues to hone his skills at Cougar scrimmages. He is hoping to make his "ASHA debut in stripes" at the USA Hockey Disabled Festival in Marlborough Mass in April.

The Cougars are grateful to ASHA, USA Hockey, NY State Amateur Hockey Association and the CDIHOA for helping a special hockey player take a big step-for him and the program.